Boudha (Before 2015 earthquake)
Note: After the 2015 earthquake most of the sights may have been damaged
Overview
Of all the cities in the Kathmadu Valley, Bouddha is the most different one. Here, instead of a Durbar Square you have a Stupa Square, and not a usual one. The stupa of Bouddha is the biggest in Asia, it is a stupa taking over a whole square, and as so it’s a sight you shouldn’t miss.
Besides the stupa, the whole neighbourhood is a small Tibet: Tibetan shops, restaurants, temples and monasteries full of monks. If you haven’t been to Tibet here you can get a feeling of the top of the world, and if you have been to, you can somehow have a dejavu of that beautiful country.
Bouddha is a small part of Tibet and of Buddhism in Kathmandu, and being just some 20 minutes by tuk-tuk or minivan, makes it for a perfect half day or full day trip from Kathmandu.
Besides the stupa, the whole neighbourhood is a small Tibet: Tibetan shops, restaurants, temples and monasteries full of monks. If you haven’t been to Tibet here you can get a feeling of the top of the world, and if you have been to, you can somehow have a dejavu of that beautiful country.
Bouddha is a small part of Tibet and of Buddhism in Kathmandu, and being just some 20 minutes by tuk-tuk or minivan, makes it for a perfect half day or full day trip from Kathmandu.
Sightseeing
There is an entrance fee of 250 rupees. You can easily avoid it by entering the square from the Tibetan Monasteries Street. From the main entrance, walk to your right a few hundred meters and then turn left and left again. You will pass by two monasteries and if you continue you will reach the square and nobody will ask you for the ticket.
-Bouddhanath: This is the reason why you are in Bouddha. The biggest stupa of Asia is really big. It takes over a whole square and the sight is really impressive, especially if you climb to the top of the temple located in the same square, from where you get a full view of the stupa and the square.
You can enter the stupa and the small temples in its base and you can walk around it. It is similar to the one you find at monkey temple in Kathmandu but far more impressive.
-Tibetan Monasteries: There are quite a lot Tibetan Monasteries in the area. To the East of the square you have two of them, whereas to the North of it there are two more worth a visit.
If they happen to be opened, you can visit them inside for free. Try to be in one of them around 2pm, when you can join the monks’ prayers, a really interesting experience.
-Tibetan Neighbourhood: The whole neighbourhood surrounding the square is Tibetan. You will fid Tibetan shops where to get yourself any Tibetan souvenir and restaurants where to try some of the Tibetan specialities. Just walk around a bit and enjoy a piece of Tibet!
-Bouddhanath: This is the reason why you are in Bouddha. The biggest stupa of Asia is really big. It takes over a whole square and the sight is really impressive, especially if you climb to the top of the temple located in the same square, from where you get a full view of the stupa and the square.
You can enter the stupa and the small temples in its base and you can walk around it. It is similar to the one you find at monkey temple in Kathmandu but far more impressive.
-Tibetan Monasteries: There are quite a lot Tibetan Monasteries in the area. To the East of the square you have two of them, whereas to the North of it there are two more worth a visit.
If they happen to be opened, you can visit them inside for free. Try to be in one of them around 2pm, when you can join the monks’ prayers, a really interesting experience.
-Tibetan Neighbourhood: The whole neighbourhood surrounding the square is Tibetan. You will fid Tibetan shops where to get yourself any Tibetan souvenir and restaurants where to try some of the Tibetan specialities. Just walk around a bit and enjoy a piece of Tibet!
Accomodation
Bouddha is perfect for a half day trip from Kathmandu, but if you decide to stay overnight, there are some accommodation options, although we haven’t check them out as we just came here for half a day from Kathmandu.
Food & Drink
Plenty of options in both the square and the surroundings. If you want to try Tibetan food, just take any alley off the square and enter any restaurant having a purple and white nice curtain.
For something European, there’s a Spanish restaurant (La Terracita de Bouddha) but we checked the menu and went away, as the only Spanish food was Tortilla de Patatas (potato omelette), Jamon (Ham) and Churros (Sweet Pastries). They also had burgers and pasta, so nothing Spanish at all. Don’t go there.
Surprisingly, there’s a good and cheap Japanese restaurant (Sakura Restaurant) offering cheap and good Japanese food as well as quite nice views of the square. Reccomended.
For something European, there’s a Spanish restaurant (La Terracita de Bouddha) but we checked the menu and went away, as the only Spanish food was Tortilla de Patatas (potato omelette), Jamon (Ham) and Churros (Sweet Pastries). They also had burgers and pasta, so nothing Spanish at all. Don’t go there.
Surprisingly, there’s a good and cheap Japanese restaurant (Sakura Restaurant) offering cheap and good Japanese food as well as quite nice views of the square. Reccomended.
Transportation
To get to Bouddha, go to Jamal or Ratna Park and ask the drivers. You’ll get there in some 20 minutes for 20 rupees.
Safety
No issues at all. The only annoyance is avoiding the 250 rupees charge, but here it is really easy: just enter the square from the Spanish Restaurant alley or from the Tibetan moastreies on the Eastern side.
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