Patan

Eight kilometers south of central Kathmandu is the small, oldest, city of Lalitpur, of the Kathmandu Valley also called Patan. It has maintained its distinct sophisticated identity. Situated along the Bagmati River it is a place of fine arts, particularly known for its metal work artisans.

It is said, that the city was designed and built according to the Buddhist Dharma Chakra (the Wheel of Righteousness). It is surrounded by four large Stupa, one at each corner of its cardinal points. These are said to have been built by the Indian Emperor Ashoka during his Kathmandu Valley pilgrimage about 2,250 years ago. There more than 1,200 Buddhist monuments scattered this city of which Patan Durbar Square is the most important. It is smaller, but more refined and less touristy, than Kathmandu’s Durbar Square and a place not to be missed while visiting Nepal. Patan has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.