60 Interesting Facts about Kathmandu City Nepal

(Last Updated On: April 16, 2021)

Kathmandu, the capital city of the nation is a residence to 7 heritage sites as recognized by UNESCO. The city is a backpacker’s hub and intensely laid-back on the subject of vacationers.

Kathmandu city is the biggest metropolis in Nepal, with inhabitants of 1.5 million within the city correct, and three million in its city agglomeration throughout the Kathmandu Valley, which incorporates the cities of Lalitpur, Kirtipur, Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur making the total inhabitants to roughly 5 million people and the municipalities throughout Kathmandu valley.

Although it’s culturally and historically necessary, it’s also very cosmopolitan in comparison with different Nepali cities and cities. Kathmandu can be the biggest metropolis within the Himalayan hill area. Nepali is probably the most spoken language within the city.

Kathmandu city facts

Quick Facts

Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of Nepal.
As of 2020, over 2.5 million people reside in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu was established as a municipality in 1931.
Kathmandu is a part of the top 10 upcoming travel locations on this planet.
Kathmandu is often known as the city of temples.
The city is without doubt one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in South Asia.
The historic inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley are the ‘Newar people.’
The Newar people are identified for his or her contributions to artwork, literature, commerce, delicacies, agriculture, and culture of Kathmandu.
The Newar people maintained their age-old traditions and thought of themselves because of the true custodians of the culture, faith, and civilization of Nepal.
Kathmandu is a residence to Nepal’s palaces, mansions, and gardens of the Nepalese aristocracy.
The tourism trade performs a necessary half within the economy of Nepal. On occasion, Kathmandu is visited by 1.2 million vacationers every year.
Nepali and English are the primary languages spoken in Kathmandu.
The 2015 earthquake destroyed most of Kathmandu’s historic sites.
The city of Kathmandu stands roughly 1,400 meters above sea level.
Kathmandu is surrounded by Four main peaks: the Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri mountains.

16. Naming of Kathmandu

The city of Kathmandu is known as after construction in Durbar Square known as by the Sanskrit name Kāsṣtha mandapa “Wooden shelter”. Unfortunately, it was destroyed within the 2015 earthquake. Kathmandu was additionally as soon as generally known as ‘Kantipur’.

17. Ancient civilization

Archaeological excavations in elements of Kathmandu have discovered proof of ancient civilizations. The oldest of those findings is a statue, present in Maligaon, that was dated 185 AD. The excavation of Dhando Chaitya uncovered a brick with an inscription in Brahmi script. Archaeologists imagine it’s two thousand years old. Stone inscriptions are a ubiquitous ingredient at heritage sites and are key sources for the history of Nepal.

18. ‘The city of Glory’

Kathmandu, perhaps as a result of varied monasteries and temples was known as Kantipur that interprets as ‘The city of Glory’. The name Kathmandu was derived from the temple positioned in Durbar Square, Kasthamandap

19. Kathmandu was a lake

As per the legend, Kathmandu is a lake remodeled right into a city. The mind-blowing reality is that this principle has been confirmed by geologists as properly

20. History and Culture

Kathmandu is the fusion of a lot of history and culture across the nation and area. It is as a result of it was as soon as the center of all commerce between India and Tibet.

Although the Newars have been the unique inhabitants of Kathmandu they have been invaded and defeated by the Gorkha kingdom.

21. Nepal is a landlocked nation.

In different phrases, Kathmandu doesn’t have a territory related to the world’s oceans and is surrounded by completely different nations. Its bordering international locations are India and China.

22. Kathmandu was by no means dominated by foreigners.

Although a lot of the close-by international locations like China and India have been as soon as subject to overseas rule, Kathmandu by no means fell to the palms of colonizers.

23. Kathmandu Valley was once an enormous lake.

The tectonic uplift of the southern fringe of the valley in addition to the enclosure of the proto-Bagmati River shaped the massive lake over 1 million years ago. Over time, the lake shifted northwards because the southern rim of the Valley rose 3cm a year. Eventually, the Earth‘s weathering shaped Kathmandu Valley.

24. Old names

The city is named Kāṣṭhamaṇḍap in a vow that Buddhist monks nonetheless recite to this present day. Thus, Kathmandu is often known as Kāṣṭhamaṇḍap. During medieval instances, the city was generally known as Kāntipur.

25. Hinduism is the dominant faith in Kathmandu.

The most dominant religions in Kathmandu are Hinduism which accounts for over 80%, adopted by Buddhism, Islam, Kiratism, and Christianity.

26. The Freak Street

The most well-known road in Kathmandu is named Freak Street the place the 60s and 70s hippies used to stay.

27. Freak road

The freak road in Kathmandu, Nepal is one of the most well-known streets which inhabited the hippies of the 60s and 70s.

28. Altitude

Kathmandu at an altitude of 4539 ft above sea level is ranked because of the 14th Highest capital on this planet.

29. Indigenous Newar people

Among the indigenous Newar people, Kathmandu is named Yeṃ Deśa and Patan and Bhaktapur are generally known as Yala Deśa and Khwopa Deśa respectively.

30. Sister Cities

Although Kathmandu is a great city in itself it has a great relationship between different cities. Kathmandu has a social settlement between Mumbai Miami, Johannesburg, Edinburgh, and plenty of more and is known as sister cities with Kathmandu. This is finished to extend commerce and tourism between the cities.

31. A set of heritage sites

Kathmandu is swarmed with a set of heritage sites. Out of all of the 10 heritage sites in Nepal, the city alone is residence to 7 of them

32. Center of faith

Kathmandu is and has been for a few years the center of Nepal’s history, artwork, culture, and economy. It has multi-ethnic inhabitants inside a Hindu and Buddhist majority.

33. Economy

Tourism is a crucial part of the economy within the city.

34. Original inhabitants

The unique inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley are the Newari community who’s stated to have lived within the valley for 2 thousand years.

35. Kathmandu’s temples are filled with religious artworks.

Kathmandu is well-known for its religious monuments. The city is a residence to numerous monasteries, temples, and stupas. The Changu Narayan and Pashupatinath Temple of Kathmandu have exceptional and historic religious artworks.

36. Kathmandu is Nepal’s metropolis.

Most of Nepal’s business canters are positioned in Kathmandu. Aside from tourism, Kathmandu is legendary for its handicrafts exports, artworks, conventional clothes such because pashmina, and paper. Simultaneously, these industries bolster Nepal’s economy.

37. Home of Heritage

The city is taken into account the gateway to the Nepalese Himalayas and is residence to a number of world heritage sites: the Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath.

38. The City of Glory

In the past, Kathmandu was known as Kantipur, which means ‘city of glory.’ The rich cultural heritage and various religions have made this city a truly glorious city.

39. The city has become a lake!

In ancient times, Kathmandu Valley was actually a huge lake surrounded by Himalayan mountains. The lake was filled with floating puddles. And it has been scientifically proven by geologists. Amazing! Not so?

40. Name a temple!

The name of Kathmandu is derived from the unique temple, Kastamandap which was built in 1596. This temple is located at Basantapur Darbar Square and is also known as Maru Satal.

41. Slowest Internet

Kathmandu is thought to be one of many capitals on this planet the place the web velocity is the slowest at 256 kbps.

42. “Nepal Mandala”

The valley the place Kathmandu is located was traditionally known as the “Nepal Mandala” and has been the house of the Newar people, a cosmopolitan city civilization within the Himalayan foothills.

43. Mount Everest is 240 kilometers away from Kathmandu.

Kathmandu is positioned within the Kathmandu Valley within the central district of Nepal. The highest mountain on earth, Mount Everest, lies roughly 240 kilometers east of Kathmandu.

44. One of the fastest-growing metropolitan

Kathmandu valley is rising at Four percentage per year in line with the World Bank in 2010, making it one of many fastest-growing metropolitan areas in South Asia, and the first area in Nepal to face the unprecedented challenges of fast urbanization and modernization at a metropolitan scale.

45. Mount Everest could be seen from Kathmandu.

In distinction to the idea of many, Mount Everest could be seen from Kathmandu. Kathmandu’s Chandragiri hills present an intensive view of Mount Everest and Himalayan ranges on a transparent day.

46. Kathmandu is the 17th highest capital on this planet.

Standing at roughly 1,400 meters above sea level, Kathmandu ranks because of the 17th highest capital of the world.

47. Kathmandu on the road

In 1975 Bob Seger wanted to disappear from the record business and the media. So, he wrote a song called Kathmandu where Kathmandu represented a land so far that nobody would be able to find you.

48. A dream garden

What if the beautiful garden you dreamed of suddenly turned in front of your eyes? The dream park made this impression in the minds of the people traveling to Thamel in Kathmandu.

In the midst of the daily rush in Kathmandu, the quiet and tranquil garden of dreams is nowhere to be seen. This is the best place to soothe your senses while enjoying the European-style architecture of the gardens and fresh air.

49. Freak Street

Freak Street is a famous street in Kathmandu. The street is named after many hippies enjoying marijuana and drugs in the 1960s and 1970s.

50. The Kathmandu Ghukas

The Kathmandu Ghukas have been by no means conquered although the more larger and highly effective international locations in China and India have been colonial territory. Nepal couldn’t be conquered by any overseas territory.

51. The original descendants

The Newari community of Nepal is considered as a native of the Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Valley is considered a direct descendant of the race and ethnic group they lived in during the two millennia.

52. Never ruled by foreigners!

Although most of the neighboring countries, such as India and China, were once under foreign rule; Kathmandu was never ruled by foreigners. No one could win Kathmandu.

53. Kathmandu Valley… The world is a place of excitement!

Kathmandu World Heritage Site Kathmandu Valley was given World Heritage Site status in 1979 by UNESCO. Prior to the 26 earthquakes, there are about 7 significant monuments and shrines in Kathmandu Valley.

54. I salute the sal shawar in you!

In Nepal and Kathmandu, people touch each other’s palms and say hello to each other, which means ‘I salute God Shawar among you.’

55. Kathmandu: Fusion Center!

Kathmandu was in the middle of the ancient trade route that connected India and Tibet. It brought together a mixture of artists, architecture, and traditions in Kathmandu. That is why there is so much diversity in all parts of Kathmandu.

56. Kathmandu: The City of Celebrities

Kathmandu Heritage Monuments and Other Natural Beauty Places. This is why it is chosen as the backdrop for many films and TV series. So, you can always find some famous people around the city of Kathmandu.

57. Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most famous and sacred Hindu temples located at Strachandu. This temple is dedicated to Lord Pashupati (Lord of Animals), better known as Shiva. Another interesting piece of information about the Pashupatinath temple is that only Hindus can enter this temple.

If you are non-Hindu, you should enjoy events from the opposite bank of the river Bagmati. Also, when all the surrounding structures and monuments became dusty after the earthquake of 21, Pashupatinath Temple stood with a few cracks in the wall.

58. Durbar Square

The area opposite the old palaces of Kathmandu is Durbar Square. There are three Darbar Square in Kathmandu Valley which are Kathmandu Darbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Patan Darbar Square.

All these courtyard squares have been given UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Parts of Durbar Square were severely damaged in the 26 earthquakes, and UNESCO is actively preparing for its recovery.

59. A push to destroy Kathmandu!

After the earthquake in Nepal on April 27, parts of the city of Kathmandu were lengthened to about one foot high, causing severe damage to various structures in the city.

60. Gateway to tourism in Nepal

Kathmandu is often known as the gateway to tourism in Nepal. Without passing by way of the capital, you won’t be able to penetrate Nepal

61. Center of Kathmandu

At the heart of the old city’s mazelike alleys is Durbar Square, which turns into frenetic throughout Indra Jatra, a religious pageant that includes masked dances.

62. 17th Capital By Altitude

Kathmandu sits at 4593 feet above sea level. Which offers it the 17th rank within the capital by highest altitude.