Radisson Hotel Kathmandu

Lazimpat, PO Box 2269 , Kathmandu , Nepal

Reservations: 1 800 333 3333 USA

Telephone: (977-1) 441 1818 Fax: (977-1) 441 1720

Email:

radisson@radkat.com.np

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About Kathmandu

Legend has it that the Kathmandu Valley once lay submerged beneath an ancient lake and was made habitable when Bodhisattva Manjushri drained it with a sword blow to the surrounding mountains. True or not, the protected valley, which also shelters the age-old cities of Patan and Bhaktapur, serves as Nepal's center for culture, government, and tourism. Trade, in fact, fashioned Kathmandu, since the city bridged commercial routes between Tibet, northern India, and other eastern lands. Known in olden days as Kantipur, the city's present name refers to a still-extant wooden pagoda built in the 12th century. Malla kings, rulers from the 13th to 18th centuries, brought Kathmandu its highest prosperity and glory. They also initiated the city's greatest period of building, which gave rise to the stunning civic and religious structures around Durbar Square. In 1769, the Shah dynasty unified the nation's various city-states and took control of Nepal, designating Kathmandu the capital. The country was declared a democracy in 1989, although recent instabilities, especially in the aftermath of the royal family's murder in 2001, are symptomatic of changing politics. Within the city proper are a wealth of antiquities, shrines, and historic architecture, which evoke mesmerized awe from western visitors. Unmissable sites include the Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas (imposing shrines for Buddhist relics that are frequented by pilgrims), Hanuman Dhoka (the old palace), Pashupatinath Temple (a Hindu religious complex not open to visitors), and the Patan Museum (a repository for art and artifacts just across the river from Kathmandu). Freak Street (an affectionate name for Jochne Street), in the 60s and 70s, attracted flower children and expatriates seeking eastern enlightenment; it remains a popular destination. Newer, and favored by tourists, is Thamel, a stylish district north of Durbar Square that offers shopping, hotels, and restaurants. Kathmandu also serves as the locus for tours throughout Nepal, whether they move north into the Himalayas or south into the country's jungles. The city's melting pot of cultures and traditions also gives rise to elaborate holidays and religious events, which are celebrated with fanfare, spectacle, and passion. These festivals grant a window into the lush beauty and allure of Kathmandu, which, although no longer pristine, otherworldly, and set apart from the rest of the civilized world, wears its grandeur and mystery with easy grace and humble self-assurance.

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VisitNepal.com: Complete Traveler's Guide 100 Topics for Traveling to Nepal Airlines Communications and Phoning Do's and Don'ts Maps Money and Banking Sightseeing Trekking Agent Listing Visa and Legal Information Satellite - South East Asia Nepal News thamel.com

Current Weather for KATHMANDU

Saturday
Numerous showers. Mostly cloudy. Mild.
25°C/ 19°C

3-day forecast

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