Bhaktapur City left me at a loss for words

Bhaktapur City. It's one of the places that I was truly excited to see while I was planning our trip to Nepal so when I finally saw the place in person, I was lost for words. I don't know how to describe the place. Beautiful? Breath-taking? To me, those words are understatements. 

I don't know if it's because of my fascination with architecture/engineering that I feel this way about Bhaktapur City. Not everyone probably feels the same way as I did. 

ABOUT BHAKTAPUR CITY

The Ancient City of Bhaktapur is one of the seven monument zones that comprise the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site. It is located around 12 kilometers away from Kathmandu City.

ENTRANCE FEE

We paid NPR1100 (around PhP550) to enter. It's quite a lot but I think it's worth it. Those who come from countries that are SAARC members pay a lot less.

GOING THERE

From Thamel, we took the taxi to Bhaktapur which cost us NPR1200. It took around an hour to reach Bhaktapur (the traffic was a bit bad in Kathmandu.) While going down the taxi, the driver offered to wait for us and bring us back to Thamel for the same price and we took his offer. (We could have bargained but we just didn't.) He said we can pay him when we get back to Thamel. We're totally not used to that kind of arrangement in the Philippines. I mean, come on, a dishonest person could have gotten away from Bhaktapur (as there are other exits) and not pay the driver but I guess that's not the way things run in Nepal. It was probably the other way around. He didn't take our fare immediately because he wanted to make sure we'd come back to him to drive us back to Kathmandu. Coming from the Philippines, I'm truly amazed at how strangers can trust others and be trusted as well.

You can also take the bus from Kathmandu City to Bhaktapur (which is a lot cheaper).

GETTING AROUND

Aside from motorcycles and some vehicles, there aren't many vehicles around Bhaktapur. It's easy to walk around as the city is not too big and there is less pollution and less honking.

Anyway, I'll let these photos do the talking.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Vatsala Durga Temple

Golden Gate which leads to the Taleju Temple (which is only accessible to Hindus)

Pashupatinath Temple

Siddhi Laxmi Temple

Nyatapola Temple in Taumadhi Square

Taumadhi Square as seen from the Nyatapola Temple

Dattetraya Square (quite underwhelming compared to the Durbar and Taumadhi Squares)

Despite the heat that we had to bear (which is a lot more bearable compared to the humid Manila heat), I think Bhaktapur is my favorite place in Nepal. :)