Patan

Patan is the third-largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu and Pokhara and it is located in the south-central part of Kathmandu Valley. This destination is one of the largest cities in Nepal and is located just across the Bagmati river from Kathmandu. Confusingly, it is also known as Lalitpur. The area is a city of 55 major temples, 136 Buddhist monasteries, fine metal works, and countless festivals. Patan takes pride in producing great Thanka painters in the country.

The places have, ancient monasteries, temples, and other monuments—some of which have existed for centuries—blend seamlessly into residents’ everyday lives. They’ve become so familiar, in fact, that they’re sometimes underappreciated and neglected. Once you get to Patan, make sure to wander around slowly to fully appreciate its beauty.

You can also be an overwhelming city to navigate, and exploring it in a day or two is almost impossible, so take your time. You may only see a small part of Patan, but you’ll feel like you have experienced a lot.