|
KATHMANDU
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. It is situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters in the Kathmandu valley which has an exotic setting. The valley is surrounded by tires of green mountain walls. It contains of three cities, namely, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. It is said that Kathmandu valley was a lake in the ancient past and was made habitable by Manjushri who is considered to be a saint. As the legend goes, Manjushri cut open the hills to the south of the valley so as to drain off the water. The gorge of Chovar is believed to be an evidence of this. As it is close to the Himalayas and has many other attractions, tourists from all parts of the world come here. In Kathmandu, to cross a street or to travel across centuries encountering shrines, temples, palaces and palace squares of exquisite craftsmanship.
The inhabitants of Kathmandu observe many fairs and festivals with great zeal and fanfare. Buddha Jayanti, Indrajatra, Machchindra Jatra, Shivaratri, Bada Dashain and Tihar are some of the major festivals. Kathmandu has a rich cultural heritage. Stone sculptures, bronze figures, wood-carvings, etc. are ubiquitous. They bear witness to the eloquent expressions of the rich cultural tradition of the Nepalese people. Mural paintings are another attraction. Kathmandu has many modern hotels. There are numerous travel agencies which conduct tours, treks, etc. The national flag-carrier, Royal Nepal Airlines. operates domestic and international air services. Other private airlines have also come up recently catering to the domestic air travel.
Where to go - A guide to the major shopping areas, Kathmandu has a long history as an international market place. The city has been a commercial hub since ancient times because of its strategic position astride the trans-Himalayan trade routes. Today, with chic department stores and modern super markets coming up everywhere, Kathmandu is even more exciting as a shopping destination. It has quaint markets filled with traditional merchandise as well as stylist shopping offering the latest designer products. Let us take you on a tour of its major shopping.
New Road - Kathmandu’s most popular shopping district is the New Road area in the centre of town. The action revolves around the Bishal Bazaar shopping centre. The snazzy emporiums here offer international brand name merchandise ranging from the latest fashion wear, suiting material, cosmetics, shoes, cameras, and watches to sports goods and electronics. The street that leads south from Bishal Bazaar is known as Dharma Path. The exclusive stores here stock your favourite cosmetics, perfumes, watches and designer wear. Walking East on New Road and turning right will bring you to Khichapokhari, another haunt for trendy shoppers.
Durbar Square - The maze of streets around this ancient royal palace complex offers a fascinating walking tour as well as exotic Nepalese handicrafts goods, silver jewellery, woollen carpets, masks, paubha scroll paintings, and other souvenirs pack the stores in these traditional bazaars.
Indra Chowk - Head north-east from Durbar Square and you come to Indra Chowk, a pleasant commotion of cloth shops, women’s sarees, household utensils, brass and bronze ware, and other interesting merchandise. Go further down the street and you come to a larger market square with several temples. This is Asan Tole where you can find anything that’s fit to be sold. With its rows of charming little shops selling everything from dried fish and peacock feathers to gold jewellery. The bustling market of Asan Tole fascinates one and all.
Thamel - North of Asan Tole and west of Royal Palace, Thamel throbs as the favourite tourist hangout in Kathmandu
Durbar Marg - Durbar Marg is the wide boulevard in front of the Royal Palace. It is Kathmandu’s most fashionable address and the location of the city’s luxurious hotels, restaurant, travel agencies, airline offices.
Bouddha - Bouddha is six km east of downtown Kathmandu, sprawls around the large stupa of Bouddhanath. Bouddhanath captivates shoppers with its array of shops offering Tibetan thanka paintings silver jewellery and other handicraft.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Visa can be obtained from the Royal Nepalese Embassy, Mon-Fri 1000-1200 hrs. Visas can also be obtained on arrival in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport.
2.Once the Visa is granted it has to be used within six months from the date of issue. It is valid for 30 days for single entry & double entry and 60 days for multiple entry, from the date of entry into Nepal.
3.Once the visa is issued it cannot be amended or revalidated. Visa fees are 20 pound per person for single entry for 30 days and 30 pound per person for double entry for 30 days and 45 pound per person for multiple entry for 60 days. Minimum time required for processing visa is 24 hrs. Application by post takes two to three weeks.
4. One passport size photo required along with visa form.
5. Personal cheques and credit cards are not accepted, only British Postal Order/Sterling Pound Draft and S.A.E for U.K. and International coupon for other countries for return of passport(s).
For further queries, please contact:
Royal Nepalese Embassy
12A Kensington Palace Gardens
London
W8 4QU
Tel: 0171-229-1594
Fax: 0171-792-9861
E-Mail: 101642.43@compuserve.com
Useful Telephone Numbers
Royal Nepalese Embassy -
0171-229-6231,
Visa Section - 0171-229-1594
Fax - 0171-792-9861
Royal Nepal Airlines - 0171-494-0974
Reservation - 0171-287-4949
Cargo Service
- 0171-384-3359
Travel Services
- 0171-757-2757
Travellers Cheque
- 0171-757-2022
Health & Immunisation -
0171-637-9899
Travel Insurance
- 0171-757-2102
Car Hire
- 0171-757-2000
Airports :
London City Airport -
0171-474-5555
London
Gatwick - 01293-535353
London
Heathrow - 0181-759-4321
London Luton
-
01582-405-100
London
Stansted - 01279-680-500
Manchester
- 0161-489-3000
Birmingham
- 0121-767-5511
Emergency - 999
International Code for Nepal - 00-977-1
THE VISIT NEPAL
YEAR
A world of it’s own
For further Information on the following ,
Trekking, Mountaineering, River Rafting, Jungle Safari,
Accomodation,
Air Ticketing, National Park, Wildlife Reserve......
Foreign Investment
Tourism Sector, and others.......
PLEASE CONTACT :
Dhruba K.C
Department of Tourism, Nepal
Public Relation Function, UK
41 Nightingale Road
London, NW10 4RG
Tel :- 0181-965-6042
Fax :- 0181-357-2552/0181-961-6344
