The
political,
commercial
and
cultural
hub of
Nepal,
is the
first
stop for
the
majority
of
visitors
to the
country.
Once a
separate
kingdom
in
itself,
it
contains
three
fabled
cities -
Kathmandu
(population
550,000);
Patan
(160,000);
and
Bhaktapur
(population
75,000).
There
are
seven
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Sites in
the
Valley.
The
history
of the
Valley
begins
with the
Buddhist
saint
Manjushree
who
slashed
a
passage
through
the
surrounding
hills to
drain
out the
primordial
waters
and make
it
inhabitable.
Over the
centuries,
a
refined
urban
civilization
emerged,
built on
a unique
synthesis
of
Hinduism
and
Buddhism.
Dynasties
came and
went.
Trade
and the
arts
flourished.
Its
deeply
religious
Newar
inhabitants
built
fabulous
cities
and
artistic
temples
that
attracted
devout
pilgrims
as well
as
rampaging
invaders.
In the
late
18th
century,
following
the
founding
of
modern
Nepal
within
more or
less the
present
boundaries,
Kathmandu
was made
the
capital. |
Major
Kathmandu
Valley
