About Bhaktapur Durbar Square


Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a part of the ancient Newari city of Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon or Khwopa-Newar ख्वप). The square contains a royal palace that took center stage as one of three royal capitals during the 15th century in the Kathmandu Valley.

A view of Bhaktapur Durbar Square with the 55 window palace, golden gate and Chayasalin mandap
A view of Bhaktapur Durbar Square with the 55 window palace, golden gate and Chayasalin mandap

Today Bhaktapur Durbar Square is just one of four main attractions within the old city known as "Bhaktapur".

It was during the reign of the Mallas that Durbar Square acquired most of its beautiful buildings and prominence as a great city in The Kathmandu Valley when it garnered the nickname "city of devotees".

Once one of the capitals of Nepal in the 15th century, today it's Nepal's third largest city and renowned as being a city of culture, temples and craftwork. It's common that most tours or travel agents only focus on "Bhaktapur Durbar Square" however the city is much larger than its most famous attraction.

If you have time, it's worth spending a few days and nights in Bhaktapur. However, if you are short on time then it's an easy day trip. Either way, a trip to Nepal would not be complete without visiting this magnificent ancient city filled with many things to see and do.

If you plan on buying many Nepali souvenirs to take home, make sure you visit Bhaktapur before buying anything. It's renowned for producing pottery, puppets, masks and cultural handicrafts.

Sunsets in Durbar Square are best seen from the eastern end where there just happens to be a restaurant! Although you can also just perch yourself on a temple like the locals and watch the sun go down.

Did you know?

King Ananda Malla lived in Bhaktapur Durbar Square and helped to create a place renown for culture and art.

Durbar Square is completely traffic free making it a pleasant change from the rest of Nepal!

Bhaktapur Durbar square was one of the least affected historical areas during the April 25th 2015 earthquake in Nepal however most of the older temples are now fully rebuilt!

 


History of Bhaktapur Durbar Square


One cannot write a summary about the history of Bhaktapur Durbar Square without including all of Bhaktapur, which can be found in the book Kathmandu Valley Heritage Walks. 55 Window Palace in BhaktapurFounded in the 12th century by King Ari Malla (Ari Deva) of Banepa, from a kingdom just outside of the valley. He moved the capital of his kingdom to Bhaktapur’s Dattatreya Tole (the oldest square in the city).

King Ari was the first to adopt the Malla name, which means “wrestler” in Sanskrit, indicating power, strength, and skill. Throughout Bhaktapur, you will find stone statues of wrestlers.

Between 1200 AD and 1482 was the golden era for the Malla kings. Bhaktapur ruled the valley kingdom, and it prospered well. After the death of King Jayayakshya Malla in 1482, the valley was divided into three kingdoms for his sons (Bhaktapur, Patan, and Kathmandu). This period became known as “The period of the three kingdoms”.

From then until the mid-18th century, Bhaktapur and the valley saw many skirmishes and battles. Golden Gate in BhaktapurHowever, it was also a period of great rise in culture, trade, temple construction, artistry, architecture, and language. Indeed, it was during this period that the Nepali language was formed.

Today, Bhaktapur as a whole retains its wonderful historic beauty and culture. However, it is very important to realize that Bhaktapur Durbar Square is only one small part of Bhaktapur city itself, all of which can be explored!

There's a lot to discover in Bhaktapur, so many people opt to stay here for a few nights, which can make you feel like you are sleeping in another time period.


Must-see highlights around Bhaktapur Durbar Square


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If you are visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square I highly recommend you download my guidebook to heritage walks in Kathmandu. It includes fantastic walking tours of the square and photographs of every temple so you'll never be confused as to what's what again!

Chyasalin Mandap

Bhaktapur Durbar Square contains a lot of temples and places of interest as you can see. There are local guides who can be hired from as little as 1500 rupees. Do be aware that they don't always know as much as they claim and very rarely show you anything beyond the 4 squares.

If you get my downloadable guide to Bhaktapur it contains every temple in the square and beyond: all laid out in a great walking tour. Get my Bhaktapur guidebook here. ```


Is Bhaktapur Durbar Square traffic free?


 

Yes, but it's only the immediate area of Durbar Square that's restricted. From the main entrance gate to the Siddhi Laxmi Temple, no traffic is permitted.

Siddhi Laxmi Temple

Following the 2015 earthquake, vehicles were temporarily allowed into Durbar Square to facilitate aid efforts. However, by May 2016, the square was once again closed to traffic. Contrary to what some guidebooks may suggest, this prohibition of vehicles is specific to Durbar Square and does not extend to other nearby squares.

To learn more about who and why this happened, do read about the history of Chyasalin Mandap or better yet, get an up-to-date premium guidebook to Bhaktapur!


Temple reconstruction & repair in Bhaktapur Durbar Square


Heritage buildings in Bhaktapur Durbar Square were hit by the 2015 earthquake with all sustaining some damage and only one completely collapsing.

Vatsala Durga was completely restored in 2021 and was the last of the square's temples to be reconstructed. Much older temples are now being concentrated on that need to be rebuilt using old photographs.

The museum's exterior and interior are due for renovation once the main temples have been reconstructed.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a wide open square that has been well maintained over the years. The heritage committee in Bhaktapur concentrated on repairing and rebuilding each damaged temple in Durbar Square individually. The result has meant tourists have been able to enjoy scaffolding-free temples and barely get a hint of the damage in terms of heritage.

Compared to Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square, it was Bhaktapur Durbar Square that was recently listed as the best in Nepal! Bhaktapur Durbar Square is also home to the first temple that is open to donations from the public. The difference is the transparent funding in the repairs of the famous Vatsala Durga temple.


Map of Bhaktapur Durbar Square


I strongly suggest you get my guidebook to Nepal where you'll find the very best high-resolution offline maps to Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Meanwhile, here is a map showing the temples and highlights of the great square.

Get a better map! Get my guidebook to Nepal and experience the best maps to Bhaktapur and all Nepal!

Map of Bhaktapur Durbar Square from Nepal Guidebook sample


Entrance fee for Bhaktapur Durbar Square


The current fee for foreigners to enter Bhaktapur Durbar Square is 1800rps while SAARC members pay 500rps.

This ticket covers all of Bhaktapur city including Pottery Square, Taumadhi Square, and Dattatreya Tole.

If you are planning to stay in Bhaktapur, show your passport at the ticket office, and you can get the same ticket extended for one week with no extra cost.

Ticket booths are located at all the main entrance streets into the old city of Bhaktapur, and there are random "ticket inspections," so hold on to your ticket!

Between March 17th to 21st, 2020, there is a new Bhaktapur festival. It will showcase traditional Bhaktapur dress, customs, food, and folklore. It's well worth spending a night in Bhaktapur to see this.


Accommodation & hotels near Bhaktapur Durbar Square


There are only a few hotels very near Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Most hotels are scattered throughout Bhaktapur. For full reviews and recommended places to stay, get my guidebook to Bhaktapur.


High-end hotels in Bhaktapur Durbar Square

There are none! Most hotels in the square are mid-level quality, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise.


Mid-range: USD $20-80 per night

Khwapa Chhen Restaurant and Guest House Khwapa Chhen Restaurant and Guest House - Located just outside the main gates of Durbar Square in a grand Newari-style house. It caters mainly to Chinese guests but is worth the effort for one of those balcony views!Book here ★★★☆☆

+ Location

+ Views

  Vajra Guest House Vajra Guest House - Close to Durbar Square, this guest house is clean and modern. They are tour group oriented, but the staff are good. Book here ★★★★☆

+ Service

  Shiva Guest House Shiva Guest House - Probably offering the best sunset views, this guest house is located in Durbar Square at the eastern end. The ground floor restaurant is one of the better places to eat too! Book here ★★★★☆

+ Best Choice!

+ Location

+ Price

  Golden Gate Guest House Golden Gate Guest House - Offering 22 rooms in a secluded courtyard off Durbar Square, rooms here have both shared and private bathrooms. Opting for private over shared is advisable. Book here ★★★☆☆

+ Clean

+ Quiet

Looking for more accommodation in Bhaktapur Durbar Square? Try my hotel search below for the best rates.


Download my guidebooks to Bhaktapur (Nepal)


Liked this page? You'll love my book! It's a guidebook that's better than the rest and the only one that's kept updated. Yes, really! In it I cover all of Bhaktapur's attractions with well researched information, photographs and travel tested walking tours.

It's an interactive & printable guidebook like no other.

Bhaktapur travel guidebook
Discover more guidebooks!
Nepal Guidebook Kathmandu Valley Heritage Walks Guidebook

Full Nepal Guidebook
Complete country guide with quick heritage walks

 

Kathmandu Valley Heritage Walks
Dedicated book for in-depth Heritage Walks in the Kathmandu Valley

 


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