The Valley of Kathmandu is fertile, flat and compact. It is situated at the altitude of between 1,200 to 1,500 meters (between 4,000 to 5,000 feet).

The valley is also small, with an area of only 220 square miles (570 square kilometers). Yet in its smallness, there are record seven World Heritage Sites declared by the UNESCO - a fact unrivalled anywhere in the world! The seven man-made wonders are the milestones of Nepal' s past prosperity, artistry and religiosity which make the Valley a "living museum".

Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is also called Hanuman Dhoka (the gates of Hanuman) which is divided into two principal chowks (courtyards). The outer one is renowned for the Kumari Ghar (the house of the Kumari or virgin, or the "living goddess"), Kasthamandap (the wooden house), Narayan Mandir, the stone statue of Garuda (man-bird), and Shiva-Parvati Temple House.

The inner chowk is the Hanuman Dhoka and its durbar complex. The principal chowk-within-chowks is Nasal Chowk, the seat of important national ceremonies, including coronations. Mohan Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Lohan Chowk are other courtyards. There are four towers named after Basantpur, Kirtipur, Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur.

There are many temples here, the most notable being the Teleju Temple dedicated to the female royal deity, Taleju Bhawani. This ultra-sacrosanct temple is opened only once a year, and only the King and certain priests can enter it.

Patan Durbar Square. Patan is also notable for the four stupas erected by Emperor Ashoka at the four cardinal directions of the city. The palace square sits somewhat between these four milestones. The royal palace's sprawling landmarks are Sundari Chowk. Tusha Hiti, Mul Chowk, Bidya Mandir, Taleju Shrine, Taleju Bhawani Temple, Golden Gate, Keshab Narayan Chowk, and Degu Talle.

The outer perimeters are noteworthy for the Krishna Mandir in stone, Hari Shanker Temple, statue of King Siddhi Narsingh, Char Narayan Temple, Bishwanath Mandir, Bhimesen Mandir, Manga Hiti and others.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is entered through the massive royal gate, and opens up to a most unspoiled complex of palaces, shrines and other landmarks in the Valley. On the right are a pair of statues in stone of Ugrachandi with her 18 arms. Then there is the Rameshwor Temple. In the middle of the square is the gilded statue of King Bhupatindra Malla seated on a tall stone pillar, and faces the most exquisitely artistic Suun Dhoka, or the golden gate, leading into the royal palace. The royal palace is also known as the "palace of 55 windows", next to which is the National Art Gallery. The inner portion of the palace has the Taleju courtyard and her house. Beyond is the Sundari Chowk.

The outer perimeters of the complex is replete with pillars and pavilions: Cl;yasalin Mandap, Durga Temple, Taduchhen Bahal, Batsala Durga, Pashupati Temple, Taumadhi Tole and others. To the right, and in another square, is the famed 30-meter (98 feet) Nyatapola Temple, the tallest and most multi-roofed edifice in Nepal. To its right is the Kashi Bishwanath Temple. On the side of the square is the vantage Nyatapola Cafe, and beyond it is the community of the famous potters.

The itinerary leads to the distant Dattatreya Square, but well within the city, which is a world of its own.

Swayambhunath is a Buddhist stupa on a western hill of Kathmandu. More than 2,500 years old, this ancient landmark is connected to the visit of Manjushree who created Kathmandu - a lake then - by draining its waters. The sage saw a celestial lotus in bloom on the top of this hill and sanctified it.

The stupa of Swayambhu is a hemispherical mound of compacted earth, and is built to specific rules, and is replete with symbols. The mound represents the four elements of earth, fire, wind and water. The 13 gilded rings of the spire symbolize the 13 steps of the ladder leading to nirvana, the final salvation. The shrine is bedecked in colorful prayer flags.

The pilgrim's progress to Swoyambhunath's holy premises is actually through a sylvan path of 365 steps.

The entrance is graced by a huge vajra (symbol of thunderbolt). Statues of Buddha are on the four corners of the stupa. Statues of goddesses Ganga and Jamuna guard the eternal flame behind it. There is a Tibetan gompa (monastery) and innumerable chaityas (small stupas). The balconies of Swoyambhunath are ideal for viewing the entire Valley.

Boudhanath. This is another Buddhist stupa, but is built on flat surface, and is the largest in Nepal. It is in various levels of terraces, and is painted in pastel, and is adorned with prayer flags. It is set in the mandala design. Altogether 108 Buddha images and 147 insets of prayer wheels adorn the base of the huge circular edifice. The settlement of Boudhanath has the largest community of Tibetans-12,000 in all.

Changu Narayan. This is the most ancient Hindu temple in Kathmandu, and is dedicated to lord Vishnu. Another fact is that the complex is built on a peninsula which was not submerged in water as most of the flat valley once was. The lavishly decorated two-tiered principal temple stands on a spacious courtyard, and is literally littered with artistic and-priceless statues, idols and sculptures. Some date back to 4th century AD.

Pashupatinath. The most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, it is dedicated to
Lord Shiva. In February-March, the site holds the famed Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva.

The Pashupatinath complex is very large, with guest houses, temples, shrines
and other landmarks. Its burning ghats on the river banks are the holiest in Nepal.

Conclusion. The aforementioned seven wonders of the Valley are not i singular destinations. Each one leads to other many and different attractions - other temples, shrines and monasteries, bazaars, rural areas, short treks, countryside visits and other joyful activities.

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