Some of the fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Sites may be found in Nepal. Natural treasures and spectacular cultural landmarks make up Nepal's heritage sites. While some preserve the beauty of history, others provide a safe sanctuary and opulent lifestyle for burgeoning biodiversity.
These beautiful landmarks display Nepal's incredible natural beauty and cultural diversity. The World Heritage Sites of Nepal are home to a wide variety of architecturally unique tourist destinations that highlight the artistic beauty of Nepal and beautiful national parks that promote biodiversity.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Nations that have ratified the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention may submit sites with outstanding universal value to their cultural or natural heritage for designation as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
There are two types of heritages:
- Cultural Heritages: Monuments, such as architectural masterpieces, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions, groups of structures, and places, such as archaeological sites, make up cultural heritage.
- Natural Heritages: Natural heritage comprises physical and biological formations that make up natural features and geological and physiographic formations that include habitats for endangered animal and plant species. It also contains important natural sites from science, conservation, or natural beauty perspectives.
World Heritages In Nepal
On June 20, 1978, Nepal signed the treaty, making its historical sites eligible for listing. As of 2021, four heritages sites in Nepal are on the list, with another fifteen on the provisional list.
In 1979, the Kathmandu Valley and Sagarmatha National Park were the first sites in Nepal to be included on the World Heritage List. However, due to the partial or significant loss of the traditional characteristics of six out of seven monument zones and the ensuing general loss of integrity and authenticity of the entire property, Kathmandu Valley was put on the List of World Heritage in eminent Danger between 2003 and 2007.
The Chitwan National Park was added to the list in 1984, while Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, was added in 1997. Nepal has two natural and two cultural heritage sites.
#1. Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmatha National Park was the first Himalayan national park to be declared a World Heritage Site. The park contains a unique landscape of ice caps, mountains, glaciers, and deep valleys inhabited by Sherpas.
The national park has some of the world's tallest mountains, including Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain. It's a treasure trove of Himalayan herbs, flowers, and wildlife. The Everest Base Camp in Sagarmatha National Park is the world's most famous trekking destination.
#2. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal's oldest natural heritage sites. The national park is home to various exotic creatures, including the endangered one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger.
Sloth bears, gharials, and wild elephants can also be seen in the park. Chitwan National Park is also a great place to go for bird viewing. The park is home to various birds, including grass warblers, storks, kingfishers, Bengal floricans, egrets, and others.
#3. Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka or Basantapur Durbar Square, is located in the heart of Kathmandu Valley. 'Durbar' translates as a palace in English. The Durbar square is a central focal point in old Kathmandu.
The square is a living museum of massive antique temples, pagodas, monuments, and sacred places. The palace was formerly home to Nepal's sheltered imperial dynasty and now houses the Kumari, Kathmandu's one-of-a-kind living goddess.
Remember to visit Kumari Ghar, Taleju Temple, Maru tole, Seto Bhairab, and Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum while at Kathmandu Durbar Square.
#4. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is another beautiful landmark in Kathmandu Valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bhaktapur is the smallest of Kathmandu Valley's three urban settlements. The city is well-known for maintaining and displaying traditional Newari life.
The city's population is a mix of Hindu and Buddhist adherents. Must-see locations include Pottery Square, Dattatreya Square, Taumadhi Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which depicts medieval Bhaktapur's rich culture and history.
#5. Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979 AD. Patan's former illustrious royal home, like Kathmandu, has a large Durbar square. This dense cluster of temples is possibly Nepal's most visually arresting display of Newari architecture.
During the Malla period, which lasted from the fourteenth through the eighteenth centuries, temple construction in the plaza reached a fever pitch. As a result, when seeing artificial works of art, pay attention to the temples of Lord Krishna and other deities. Visit the museum to learn about the city's centuries-long history.
#6. Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath is a holy temple for Hindu worshipers. This gorgeous temple is located alongside the Bagmati River. Non-Hindus are also permitted to enter the temple. They can see the temple from the Bagmati River's eastern bank.
Hundreds of pilgrims gather on the riverbanks below the temple for a puja service every night. The temple also houses one of Nepal's oldest Hindu cremation sites.
#7. Changu Narayan Temple
The Changu Narayan Temple in Bhaktapur dates back to the Lichchavi dynasty in 323 BC, during the reign of Haridatta Burma. Changunarayan Temple is an ancient archaeological monument and one of Nepal's oldest temples. It was inducted on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1969, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
#8. Swayambhunath Stupa
Swoyambhunath's iconic whitewashed stupa is one of Nepal's most devoted Buddhist places of worship. Because of the numerous monkeys that live on the temple grounds, the stupa is also known as Monkey Temple.
The characteristic eyeballs in the electric jumble of prayer flags distinguish the stupa. Travelers meander through the temples, turning supplication haggles into mantras. Swoyambhunath is a beautiful experience, with antique carvings adorning every square inch of the area and the aroma of incense filling the air.
According to local belief, the construction of this stupa by Boddhisattva Manjushri is tied to the origins of Kathmandu.
#9. Boudhanath Stupa
King Songtsen Gompa of Tibet established the Boudhanath Stupa in about 600 AD. The stupa is one of the largest dome-shaped stupas in the world. The dome is both perfectly proportioned and meaningful.The whitish dome and its plated tower, engraved with the Buddha's all-seeing eyes, serve as a three-dimensional memento of the Buddha's ascension.
#10. Lumbini - Birthplace of Buddha
Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the most significant spiritual teacher of all time. The Maya Devi Temple, Puskarini Pond, Sacred Garden, and the many monasteries established by different Buddhist countries are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here, there is a sense of tranquillity and peace.
