Patan (Before 2015 earthquake)
Note: After the 2015 earthquake most of the sights may have disappeared
Overview
Patan is one of the cities
of the Kathmandu Valley. Although officially it is a different city, it looks
like a neighbourhood of Kathmandu, as it is attached to the capital and only 30
minutes away by minivan or tuk-tuk.
The main reason to visit Patan is its Durbar Square, probably the most beautiful of them all. Besides, wandering around the city and visiting its temples and bahals (interior courtyards) is a nice experience. Allow half a day to visit the city from Kathmandu.
The main reason to visit Patan is its Durbar Square, probably the most beautiful of them all. Besides, wandering around the city and visiting its temples and bahals (interior courtyards) is a nice experience. Allow half a day to visit the city from Kathmandu.
Sightseeing
The main sight in Patan is its Durbar Square. It is as beautiful as overpriced. Actually to visit the city of Patan you have to pay an entrance fee of 1500 rupees. Yes, 1500 rupees. Crazy. There are ticket booths at several places in town but, as everywhere in Nepal, you can avoid paying this rip-off and sneak in. Just walk through small alleys and you will get to the city. The worst about Patan is that when you purchase the ticket they give you a colorful paper you have to wear as a collar, so it's quite noticeable you are not wearing it. Anyway, we could visit all the city and the only time we were asked about the ticket was in Durbar Square after having visited it (in 15 minutes you can see it all). We just said we had no ticket and went away.
Walk around the city, visit its bahals, Hindu Temples and end up at Durbar Square. Even if it is small it is full of nice temples where you can sit and just watch the life go on.
Besides Durbar, you can also pay a visit to the local Kumari. She is a young girl (around 8 years old) who is supposed to be a living Goddess according to some requirements established by the HIndu religion. When she starts having her period, it is believed she is not a Goddess anymore.
You can find Patan's Kumari at the Kumari House near Durbar. The experience is however quite sad. The girl is sitting in a big room (in a throne) and his father is also there. You just go there and she blesses you. She looks sad and in my opinion it is something that should be stopped, as that girl has no childhood at all.
Walk around the city, visit its bahals, Hindu Temples and end up at Durbar Square. Even if it is small it is full of nice temples where you can sit and just watch the life go on.
Besides Durbar, you can also pay a visit to the local Kumari. She is a young girl (around 8 years old) who is supposed to be a living Goddess according to some requirements established by the HIndu religion. When she starts having her period, it is believed she is not a Goddess anymore.
You can find Patan's Kumari at the Kumari House near Durbar. The experience is however quite sad. The girl is sitting in a big room (in a throne) and his father is also there. You just go there and she blesses you. She looks sad and in my opinion it is something that should be stopped, as that girl has no childhood at all.
Accomodation
We didn't stay overnight in Patan as it is an easy day trip from Kathmandu. However, if you want to sleep there, there are hotels and guesthouses.
Food & Drink
There are plenty of Nepali restaurants around the old town. For a nice although a bit more pricey experience, choose any of the restaurants in Durbar Square with a rooftop offering beautiful views of the square. You can have a meal there for around 500 rupees per person.
Transportation
Patan is easily reachable from Kathmandu by tuk-tuk or minivan. Just go to Jamal or Ratna Park and ask any driver. 20 rupees and you'll be there in 30 minutes.
Safety
No problems at all. Same as in Kathmandu, some stray dogs may be potentially dangerous, so try to avoid them. The biggest annoyance of Patan is avoiding the 1500 rupees entrance fee, but sneak in through any side alley and please don't pay such a rip-off.
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