Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon or the “City of Devotees,” is one of the three ancient royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley. Once the capital of the Malla kingdom until the 15th century, it is renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval urban layout, traditional Newari culture, and exquisite craftsmanship in wood, stone, and bronze.

While in Kathmandu, my great friend Gillian—the birthday queen—organised an outing to Bhaktapur, about 15 km east of the capital. Unlike Kathmandu or Patan, Bhaktapur retains a quieter, less modernised atmosphere, giving visitors the feeling of stepping back in time. The city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was such a joy to wander through its many courtyards and admire extraordinary buildings, such as Nyatapola Temple, the tallest and most iconic pagoda-style temple in Nepal (see second picture), or to watch craftsmen at work.

After the tour, we enjoyed an incredible tasting menu—already described in an earlier post. Bhaktapur was truly one of the highlights of the trip.