Sundari Chowk

Kathmandu

LoginSave

This courtyard in the Hanuman Dhoka palace is currently off-limits for post-earthquake reconstruction but should reopen eventually.

Pride of place in this intimate black and white courtyard is the ritual bathing pool with its Lichhavi-era carving of Krishna subduing the coils of the Kaliya serpent, hewn from a single block of stone in the sixth century. The Malla kings would ritually bathe each morning at the golden waterspout, whose water allegedly flows from Budhanilkantha in the north of the valley.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Nepal, Kathmandu, View of Hanuman dhoka temple. (Photo by: JTB/UIG via Getty Images) (Photo by: JTB Photo/UIG via Getty Images)

    Hanuman Dhoka

    0.04 MILES

    Kathmandu's royal palace, known as the Hanuman Dhoka, was originally founded during the Licchavi period (4th to 8th centuries AD), but the compound was…

  • Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (The Golden Temple) buildings exterior in a sunny day in Lalitpur city, Nepal.

    Golden Temple (Kwa Bahal)

    2.29 MILES

    This unique Buddhist monastery is just north of Durbar Sq. It was allegedly founded in the 12th century, and it has existed in its current form since 1409…

  • Golden gate at Durbar Square in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

    Golden Gate

    7.74 MILES

    The magnificent Golden Gate is a visual highlight of Durbar Sq. Set into a bright red gatehouse surrounded by white palace walls, the fabulous golden…

  • Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, Bodhnath Stupa, the Buddha's eyes and prayer flags viewed at twilight with decorative lights

    Boudhanath Stupa

    3.52 MILES

    The first stupa at Boudhanath was built sometime after AD 600, when the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, converted to Buddhism. In terms of grace and purity…

  • Itum Bahal.

    Itum Bahal

    0.16 MILES

    The long, rectangular courtyard of the Itum Bahal is the largest bahal (Buddhist monastery courtyard) in the old town and remains a haven of tranquillity…

  • Nyatapola Temple, the tallest monument within the city and the tallest temple of Nepal.

    Nyatapola Temple

    7.8 MILES

    You should be able to see the sky-high rooftop of the Nyatapola Temple long before you reach Taumadhi Tole. With five storeys towering 30m above the…

  • Kathmandu,Nepal, 04.12.2018 - Garden of Dreams.; Shutterstock ID 1147311047; your: Bridget Brown; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI Image Update

    Garden of Dreams

    0.77 MILES

    The beautifully restored Swapna Bagaicha (Garden of Dreams) remains one of the most serene and beautiful enclaves in Kathmandu. It's two minutes' walk and…

  • Swayambhunath stupa in Kathmandu

    Swayambhunath Stupa

    1.28 MILES

    The Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the crowning glories of Kathmandu Valley architecture. This perfectly proportioned monument rises through a whitewashed…

View more attractions

Nearby Kathmandu attractions

1. Stone Inscription

0.01 MILES

On the outside of the white palace wall, opposite the Vishnu Temple, is a long, low stone inscription to the goddess Kalika written in 15 languages,…

2. Mohankali Chowk

0.01 MILES

Mohankali (Mohan) Chowk, inside the Hanuman Dhoka complex, was once used as a residence by the Malla kings. It's currently closed for post-earthquake…

3. Jagannath Temple

0.02 MILES

This temple, noted for the erotic carvings on its roof struts, is the oldest structure in this part of Durbar Sq. Pratap Malla claimed to have constructed…

4. Kakeshwar Temple

0.02 MILES

This white-topped temple was originally built in 1681, was rebuilt after the 1934 earthquake and then destroyed again in the 2015 earthquake. It is…

5. Indrapur Temple

0.02 MILES

Little is known about this mysterious temple. Even the god to which it is dedicated is controversial – the lingam inside indicates that it is a Shiva…

6. Taleju Temple

0.02 MILES

Durbar Sq’s most magnificent temple stands at its northeastern extremity but is not open to the public. Even for Hindus, admission is restricted; they can…

7. Kala (Black) Bhairab

0.03 MILES

North of the Jagannath Temple is the figure of Kala (Black) Bhairab. Bhairab is Shiva in his most fearsome aspect, and this huge stone image of the…

8. Tribhuvan Museum

0.03 MILES

The section of the Hanuman Dhoka palace west of Nasal Chowk, overlooking the main Durbar Sq area, was constructed by the Ranas in the middle to late part…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "nepal/kathmandu/attractions/sundari-chowk/a/poi-sig/1508415/357144",
  "destination": "Kathmandu",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Nepal",
  "city": "Kathmandu",
  "position": "superzone"
}