Cultural HeritageUNESCO #121

Kathmandu Valley

काठमाडौं उपत्यका

UNESCO World Heritage since 1979

Seven groups of Hindu and Buddhist monuments representing an extraordinary concentration of religious, artistic and architectural heritage spanning 1,500+ years, from the Licchavi period (4th–9th century) to the Malla period (12th–18th century).

Inscribed

1979

UNESCO World Heritage List

Heritage type

Cultural

Criteria: (iii, iv, vi)

Area

497 ha

Province

Bagmati

Kathmandu / Lalitpur / Bhaktapur

7 Monument Zones - Kathmandu Valley

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templestupadurbarpalaceClick marker for details

All seven UNESCO-listed monument zones across Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Click any marker for details.

About the site

The Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site comprises seven monument zones spread across the three ancient cities of Kathmandu, Patan (Lalitpur) and Bhaktapur. Together they represent the artistic and architectural pinnacle of Newari civilization - a unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions expressed in temple architecture, metalwork, woodcarving and painting that has no equal anywhere in the Himalayan region.

The Kathmandu Valley was a nexus of trade routes between India and Tibet for over 2,000 years. The resulting cultural synthesis produced a unique Newari style of architecture and art that influenced religious traditions across the Himalayan region.

The 2015 Gorkha earthquake (Mw 7.8) severely damaged several monuments, including Dharahara tower, Kasthamandap, Vatsala Durga temple (Bhaktapur) and sections of all three durbar squares. Reconstruction continues under UNESCO and Government of Nepal programmes.

The seven monument zones were placed on the UNESCO Danger List from 2003 to 2007 due to unplanned development pressure. They were removed after Nepal implemented heritage buffer zone regulations.

Newari metalwork, woodcarving and thangka painting traditions are maintained by hereditary craftspeople (Shilpakars, Chitrakaras) and are central to the area's Outstanding Universal Value.

Highlights

Key Features

7 monument zones spanning 3 ancient cities

Hindu and Buddhist temples from 4th–18th centuries

Living cities - all monuments still actively used for worship

Newari architecture: tiered pagodas, decorated torana (tympanum)

Kumari Ghar - residence of the Living Goddess (Kumari)

Pashupatinath - one of the subcontinent's most sacred Shiva temples

7 Monument Zones

The Kathmandu Valley Monument Zones

Seven distinct groups of Hindu and Buddhist monuments spread across three ancient cities - all still living, worshipped, and inhabited.

Pashupatinath Temple

पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर

Temple

Kathmandu

Most sacred Shiva temple in Nepal; one of the subcontinent's four most important Shaivite shrines. Main pagoda dates to 1696 CE (though the site is much older). Non-Hindus may not enter the main temple.

Swayambhunath

स्वयम्भूनाथ

Stupa

Kathmandu

2,000-year-old Buddhist stupa on a hilltop west of Kathmandu. Known as the 'Monkey Temple'. The all-seeing eyes of the Buddha stare in four cardinal directions. Listed since 1979.

Boudhanath Stupa

बौद्धनाथ

Stupa

Kathmandu

One of the largest stupas in the world (40 m high, 100 m diameter). The centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal; 50+ Tibetan monasteries surround it. Heavily damaged in 2015 earthquake; restored 2016.

Changu Narayan Temple

चाँगुनारायण मन्दिर

Temple

Bhaktapur

Nepal's oldest temple (4th century CE), dedicated to Vishnu. Contains the oldest dated stone inscription in Nepal (464 CE). Double-roofed pagoda on a hilltop with extraordinary metalwork and stone sculpture.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

भक्तपुर दरबार क्षेत्र

Durbar / Royal Court

Bhaktapur

Medieval royal palace complex with 55 temples. Notable structures: Palace of 55 Windows (restored 2015), Nyatapola Temple (5-storey pagoda, tallest in Nepal at 30 m), Lion Gate, Vatsala Durga Temple. Entry NPR 1,800.

Patan Durbar Square

पाटन दरबार क्षेत्र

Durbar / Royal Court

Lalitpur

Lalitpur's royal plaza containing Krishna Mandir (the only stone-built temple in the valley, 1636 CE), the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, 12th century), and the Patan Museum (award-winning conservation).

Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka)

हनुमानढोका दरबार क्षेत्र

Durbar / Royal Court

Kathmandu

Former royal palace of the Kathmandu kingdom. Houses Kumari Ghar (residence of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple (16th century), Kal Bhairab statue, and the Kasthamandap (12th century community hall from which Kathmandu takes its name - rebuilt after 2015 earthquake).

Outstanding Universal Value

UNESCO Inscription Criteria

Kathmandu Valley was inscribed on the World Heritage List under criteria (iii), (iv), (vi).

iii

Criterion (iii)

Exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation which is living or which has disappeared

Criterion (iv)

Outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble illustrating significant stages in human history

Criterion (vi)

Directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance

Conservation

Threats & Challenges

UNESCO and the Government of Nepal actively monitor and address the following issues affecting the site's Outstanding Universal Value.

2015 Gorkha earthquake damage - ongoing reconstruction

Uncontrolled urban development and high-rise construction

Tourism pressure and commercialisation

Air pollution causing stone and metal corrosion

Loss of traditional craftspeople and skills

Visitor Information

All three cities are within 30 km of each other and connected by road and electric vehicles. Heritage site entry: NPR 1,500 (Kathmandu Durbar), NPR 1,000 (Patan, Bhaktapur). Best months: October–April.

UNESCO official page - Kathmandu Valley →

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kathmandu Valley inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Kathmandu Valley was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

What type of heritage site is Kathmandu Valley?

Kathmandu Valley is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in Bagmati Province, Nepal.

What is the area of Kathmandu Valley?

Kathmandu Valley covers an area of 497 hectares.

How do I visit Kathmandu Valley?

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Natural

Chitwan National Park

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Cultural

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha

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Sources & data note

Data on Kathmandu Valley is sourced from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Department of Archaeology Nepal, and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. All figures are the most recently published official data.