Cultural and heritage center
Bagmati Province Districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Rasuwa, Ramechhap, Kavre, Makhwanpur, Dhading, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchoke, Dolakha, Sindhuli.
Kathmandu: Nepal’s capital, the city has the most number of tourism sites with historical and archeological importance. Known as the city of temples, it has numerous temples and stupas spread across the city. Religious and cultural festivities are an integral part of the city’s social life.
Covering 13 districts, Province Three is rich in cultural and has numerous heritage sites with historical significance. Main tourism sites in the province are the Kathmandu valley, Dolakha, Sauraha, Jiri, Ruby valley, Daman, Sindhuligadi, Bhote Koshi, Nuwakot Durbar and the Langtang area.
The Province has a large number of religious sites linked to Hinduism and Buddhism. Key religious sites in the province are Devghat Dham Chitwan, Palanchoke Bhagwati Kavre, Kalingchoke Bhagwati and, Dolakha Bhimsen in Dolakha, Dakshinkali Kathmandu, Tripurasundari Dhading and Gosaikunda in Rasuwa.
Kathmandu valley: As Nepal’s ancient and historic city area, the valley has three cities Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. The valley is unique in its history, culture and natural environment and is home to seven world heritage sites. These sites are Pashupatinath Temple, Changunarayan Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, Basantapur Durbar area, Patan Durbar area, and Bhaktapur Durbar area.
Key attractions in the valley are Dhulikhel, Nagarkot, Chandragiri, Phulchoki/Godavari, Kakani/Shivapuri, Kirtipur town and old city areas, Budhanilkantha, Narayanihiti Museum, Singha Durbar, and Thamel Bazar.
Sauraha: One of Nepal’s famous destinations for domestic tourism and international visitors. Its an appreciable place for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The area is also home to the famous Hindu holy site Devghat. Key activities in Sauraha are a pilgrimage, Jungle Safari, up-close experiences with elephants, boating on the Rapti River and Tharu Culture.
Daman: A beautiful and scenic town in Makhwanpur District, it’s a popular tourist destination along the old Tribhuvan Highway to Kathmandu. It stands at a vantage point for views of the Himalayan range from Dhaulagiri, Annapurna peaks in the west to Mt. Everest in the east. It’s an ideal place to experience nature and village life. Other attractions in the vicinity are the rock-filled Kulekhani dam, Tistung, Chitlang, and Palung villages.
Dolakha Bhimsen: Considered an abode of Lord Bhimeshwar, it is Nepal’s famous Hindu temple in Dolakha district which has strong affiliation amongst traders; considered as their will God. Another temple in the district is Kalinchowk Bhagawati, revered as a powerful goddess temple with strong spiritual power. Situated in the high mountains (3842m) it lies in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area as a pilgrimage site.
Jiri: It carries the history of being the gateway and classic route to Mt. Everest and continues to be the trailhead for many treks into Sagarmatha National Park. The town settlement is predominantly inhabited by the indigenous Jirel community. Its natural beauty with lush green alpine forest draws domestic and international visitors. Jiri provides scenic views of the Rolwaling section of the Himalayas, Gaurishankar peak revered as the abode for Lord Shiva and Parvati, waterfalls and birds.
Ruby valley: A close destination from Kathmandu in Dhading district, it is known for its Tamang and Gurung culture. Famous for its ruby mine and herbs, the valley settlement is also a unique place to experience Shaman practices. With varying landscapes from flatland, gradual and steep alleviation, it offers an abundance of trails for trekking. Key attractions are views of the central part of the Himalayan range, the Ganga-Jamuna waterfall, hot springs, the Paldor Peak base camp, and Netra Lake.
Nuwakot Durbar: Chronicled as the starting point of Nepal’s unification, the palace is famed for its 1762 seven-story Newari architecture which has archeological significance. The complex which is on the tentative World Heritage Site list comprises of the main Nuwakot Palace, temples and shrines of gods and goddesses around it with the most famous being the Bhairab temple. A destination appropriate to visit during the summer and winter.
Langtang: World famous as a trekking destination, it attracts domestic and international visitors. Trekking in the region is relatively easy and relatively less busy than other popular routes. A haven for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiast, the Langtang areas has expansive high meadows and is a habitat for musk deer, Red Panda, snow leopard, and the Himalayan black bear. Main attractions are views of the Langtang Lirung peak and the Tamang heritage trail experience of culture and rural village life.
Trishuli: A River synonymous with Nepal’s rafting destination, the river’s waters originate from Mt Ganesh Himal and Langtang. The river has impressive gorges and exciting rapids for excitement. Easily accessible from Kathmandu and Pokhara, it is popular amongst domestic and international tourists. Onward journey after rafting the river includes a trip to the province’s Chitwan National Park and Pokhara in Province Three.
Bhote Koshi: A challenging river in Sindhupalchoke for rafting and Kayaking, it is famous the world over for its steep gradient per kilometer. The rapids along with the river range from class 4 to 5 at high flow, and 3 at lower levels providing the intense and ultimate experience in water adventure. Just hours from Kathmandu the river area also has Bungee jumping activities over the river which draws extreme sports enthusiasts.
Helambu: a Scenic destination in the highlands of Sindhupalchoke, it covers areas from Lauribina La Pass to the Melamchi valley. Known for its apples, it is also a trekking destination from various points around the Kathmandu namely from Sundarijal, Nagarkot, Kakani, and Sankhu.
Sindhuligadi: The fort represents the landmark November 1767 victory in the battle of Nepal’s Gorkha army over the 2400 strong British Troops of the East India Company sent from India during Nepal’s unification process. The historical and strategic fort is a tourist attraction in central Nepal 140 KM from Kathmandu. It is also a symbolic war memorial of Nepal’s victory.
