Nepal has a rich Buddhist culture and temples which were nurtured over a long time, centering on Kathmandu. Historically, Nepal enjoyed a close relationship with India and Tibet, and not only host many pilgrims from other countries visiting Buddhist holy grounds in Kathmandu Valley, but there was also an active intercommunication of monks and people learning Buddhist art.

Many temples and palaces are situated in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Many bahi, Buddhist monasteries in suburban areas that monks once lived, and baha, Buddhist temples built in cities exist in Kathmandu.

Patan is an ancient city located to the south of Kathmandu, with 18 major temples. Patan embraces a rich history of Buddhism. When King Ashoka visited Nepal, his princess Charumati made her choice to stay behind in Nepal and built the city of Patan, later spending her remaining years in a monastery, which was also her construction.

This land is also referred to as the city of beauty. A majority of cast Buddhist statues representing Nepalese art are made in Patan.

In the suburban area of Patan, four great stupas called “Ashoka Stupas” stand in the northern, southern, eastern, and western directions, respectively. There are also many other smaller stupas called Ashoka Caityas, which show how widely King Ashoka spread Buddhism in this land.

The five-storied stupa of Nyatapole Temple is famous in Bhaktapur, a city east of Kathmandu. The stupa is 30 meters tall, being the tallest stupa in Kathmandu Valley. The red brick buildings lined up on the streets reminds people of the ancient or medieval times. In the movie, Little Buddha (1993, British-French), most scenes of Buddha before he renounced the world was filmed in this city and Patan.

Nepal's largest stupa situates in Boudhanath, located east of Kathmandu. It has long been the center of Tibetan faith and culture. After the Tibetan riots in 1959, an increasing number of Tibetans moved in around the stupa, turning a quiet farming village into a Tibetan temple town.

Swayambhunath is the oldest Buddhist temple located in Kathmandu Valley. It sits on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley that is about 3 kilometers west of the center of Kathmandu. It is 77 meters higher than the base of the valley, giving the visitors a splendid view.

Swayambhunath Stupa