Descripción: Nepal is known as the abode of the gods. For many years a secret, unknown country, it was, in the 1950s, faced with making a leap from the 11th century to modern times. Visited first by mountaineers and trekkers, it later became the haunt of hippies. The Nepalese Government has set aside more than 35 per cent of the total area of the country as natural sanctuaries. There are now nine National Parks, three conservation areas and two wildlife reserves, located both in the mountainous zones as well as in the tropical plains. The Terai lowlands in the south form the richest habitat in the country. Five protected areas are located in the region and many species of wildlife, including the rare Royal Bengal tiger and leopard, can be observed.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital and also the cultural, commercial and business hub of the Kingdom, is a magical place. In the center is Durbar Square where there is a wonderful collection of temples and shrines, both Buddhist and Hindu. They are generally built in the pagoda style with a mass of intricate exterior carving. The old Royal Palace is in the square, as is the Statue of Hanuman the Monkey God, clad in a red cloak. Here also is the house of the living goddess -- the Kumari. A few kilometers from Kathmandu is the hugely impressive Bodnath Stupa. It has become a center of Tibetan exile culture and is a good place to buy Tibetan handicrafts and artifacts. Climbing upwards from the city one can reach the famous Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath, popularly known as the Monkey Temple. There are a great many steps leading up to the temple, which is frequented by an even greater number of monkeys. The monkeys should be treated with some caution since their behavior can be unpredictable.
The Kathmandu Valley
Bhaktapur
Kathmandu was once one of three equal cities, the other two being Bhaktapur and Patan. Bhaktapur (also known as the temple city) is located some 12km (7.5 miles) from Kathmandu in the eastern part of the valley. The Ka (menos)
Descripción: Nepal is known as the abode of the gods. For many years a secret, unknown country, it was, in the... (más)
