Kathmandu Free and Easy Travel Guide - Effort-Saving Version

Kathmandu Free and Easy Travel Guide - Effort-Saving Version 😎 Stayed in Thamel downtown, closest to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), so headed there right after landing. The following are just my personal impressions. 1⃣️ Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tell the driver "Monkey Temple," but make sure they drop you at the hilltop 🚗💨. This saves you the climb and offers a panoramic view of the city. 🌆 2⃣️ Kathmandu Durbar Square ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ticket: 1000 NPR. Explore the palace architecture and visit the museum, though the exhibits are limited and not particularly stunning. The palace grounds are spacious, and many gather here hoping to catch a glimpse of the living goddess 👑. 3⃣️ Patan Durbar Square ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ticket: 1000 NPR. Compact yet charming, with more museum exhibits than Kathmandu’s. Personally preferred wandering here. It’s also great for photos 📸 and afternoon tea ☕. 4⃣️ Boudhanath Stupa ⭐️⭐️ If you’re really out of things to do, this 500 NPR ticket might be worth it. Felt underwhelming—visit only if you’re devout or have spare time; circling it once won’t boost your karma much. 🙏 5⃣️ Pashupatinath (Burning Ghat) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Went in the afternoon; staff quoted 1000 NPR. Later, I backtracked and found a parallel path along the river. After a few hundred meters, I reached the riverside—follow your nose (literally). Daytime isn’t the best time, but the contrast of mourners chatting and laughing nearby was striking. Cows roamed near the pyres, scavenging through trash—surreal and absurd 🔥. 6⃣️ Bhaktapur Durbar Square ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The palace is stunning, with rich architectural details. The Golden Gate offers a glimpse of exquisite wood carvings (no photos allowed). The staff let me peek inside—still, the exterior left a stronger cultural impact ✨. 7⃣️ Thamel City Walk ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ No modern high-rises, roads are rough, but it’s perfect for strolling. The vibe is all about local life, though you won’t struggle to spend money. Caved and bought a "cashmere" scarf for 2800 NPR—take that claim with a grain of salt. 🧣😂 Currency Exchange Note: Popular exchange spots (restaurants/pharmacies) mentioned online weren’t operating during May Day—owners were either abroad or out of funds. Some claimed Alipay/WeChat got frozen. Actually, many dedicated exchange shops offer rates like 18.2. If you find a good channel, keep it discreet to protect the vendors. 🤫💰 #MayDayLiveUpdates #KathmanduFreeAndEasy #NepalTravelGuide #BhaktapurDurbarSquare #PatanDurbarSquare #MonkeyTemple #Pashupatinath