City in Nepal: There are lots of big and small cities in Nepal. They are divided into sub-metropolitan, metropolitan and municipality. The major cities of Nepal are Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Itahari, Dharan, Birtamod, Chitwan, Lumbini Bhadrapur, Lalitpur etc with high capitalization. Kathmandu Bhairahawa, Hetauda and Biratnagar are known for their industries whereas Pokhara, Chitwan and Bharatpur etc are mostly known as tourist places. Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, is not just the country’s sole major metropolis but also the most accessible. Within the length and breadth of 880 km and 128 km respectively these cities have different climates and vegetation. Here we are going to know about 7 major cities in Nepal.

City in Nepal: 8 major cities in Nepal

1. Kathmandu

Nepal’s capital city is Kathmandu. While navigating through ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples and monasteries, you may learn about thousands of years of culture. The city lies in central Nepal’s bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley at a height of around 1,400 meters (4,600 feet). Four significant mountains Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri encircle the area. About a twelfth of Nepal’s population resides in the Kathmandu Valley, which is a portion of three districts Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur and has the greatest population density in the nation.

The entrance to Nepali tourism is in Kathmandu. Additionally, it serves as the economic hub of the nation. Its economy is centred on tourism, which contributed 3.8% of Nepal’s GDP in 1995–1996. It boasts the most modern infrastructure of any Nepalese metropolitan region. Following that, during a time of political upheaval, tourism in Kathmandu decreased, although it has since improved.

According to TripAdvisor, Kathmandu was ranked first in Asia and third overall among the top 10 emerging vacation destinations in the world in 2013. Inscriptions discovered in the valley suggest that the city had a long history that dates back about 2000 years. People living in Kathmandu devote a significant portion of their life to religious and cultural celebrations. The majority of people in Kathmandu practice Hinduism, although many others practice Buddhism. Additionally, there are adherents of different religions, giving Kathmandu a multicultural society.

2. Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur, in the Kathmandu Valley, about 20 km east of Kathmandu, is referred to as the “City of Devotees,” the “The City of Culture,” the “Living Heritage,” and “Nepal’s Cultural Gem.” It is one of the Kathmandu Valley’s three royal cities. The other two are Patan and Kathmandu, the nation of Nepal’s capital. Bhaktapur is awash in monuments, the majority of which are made of terra cotta with elaborately carved wood columns, golden roofs, and open courtyards. There are several pagodas and holy sites across the city.

Bhaktapur, which is surrounded by mountains and offers a stunning view of the Himalayas, is located along the historic trade route that connected India and Tibet. It is the home of traditional art and architecture, historical monuments and handicrafts, spectacular windows, pottery and weaving industries, wonderful temples, lovely ponds, rich local traditions, culture, religion, festivals, musical mysticism, and more. Tourists may experience a whole new universe in Bhaktapur, a historic city that has been conserved and is still unspoiled.

It was located on the ancient trade route connecting Tibet and India. The town became wealthy and affluent because of its location along the primary caravan route. There are lots of festivals in this place but Bhaktapur’s major festivals are Gai-Jatra (The cow festival) and Bisket Jatra (The Nepalese New Year celebration).

3. Lalitpur

Lalitpur, also known as Patan, is a town in central Nepal that is located close to the Bagmati River in the Kathmandu Valley, about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Kathmandu. King Varadeva is credited with founding Lalitpur in 299 CE, according to Nepalese history. There is no debate about the claim that it served as the capital of the Licchavi, Thakuri, and Malla kingdoms. In 1769, when Prithvi Narayan Shah took control of the region, Lalitpur was pillaged and its inhabitants were subjected to severe violence.

The town’s economy is based on agriculture and serves as the center for the Banra sect of the Newar people (barley, rice, wheat, millet, vegetables, and fruit). The artisans of Lalitpur are well-known, especially metalworkers and woodcarvers. There are also beautiful Buddhist temples, such as the Machendranath Temple in Durbar Square. The town is home to several viharas, which were previously Buddhist monasteries but are now inhabited by the priests’ ancestors. The four sizable stupas (Buddhist temples and burial mounds) that are still visible on the town’s four sides were allegedly constructed by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka during his visit to the area in 250 BCE.

4. Pokhara

200 kilometres to the west of Kathmandu, the capital, is Pokhara Metropolitan City. It serves as the administrative center for the Western Development Region, Gandaki Zone, and Kaski District. Pokhara is nearly always mentioned while discussing Nepalese tourism. It features a distinctive blend of adventure, culture, and environment. Numerous ethnic communities and their rich traditions, temples, monasteries, museums, and other places of interest are cultural attractions. Panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, green hills, wide and beautiful valleys, pristine water lakes, limestone caves, waterfalls, gushing rivers, and gorges are examples of natural attractions.

The city of Pokhara itself has a wide variety of attractions. Which are:

• Devi’s Fall and Gupteswor Cave
• Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave
• Fewa Lake and Tal Barahi Temple
• Old Bazar and Bindyabasini Temple
• Seti Gandaki Gorge
• Mountain Views
• World Peace Pagoda
• Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake
• Museums and Sarangkot etc.

5. Chitwan

Chitwan National Safari Park is the city’s major draw and the reason visitors visit. It is quite big and offers chances to witness creatures like leopards, elephants, etc. Going for walks is one of the things you can do there. The largest ethnic group in Chitwan is the tharu, who have their own unique culture. They have a rich cultural heritage. They practice Hinduism, although their culture is a little different from that of other Hindus. Since there are residents of other religions in Chitwan, everyone participates in the festivities. People Discover numerous threatened species when visiting this location, including the one-horned rhinoceros, regal Bengal tiger, gharial crocodile, and freshwater Gangetic dolphin. Explore the Park’s grasslands and riverine woodlands on an exciting elephant-back safari in pursuit of its remarkable wildlife.

6. Lumbini

In the foothills of the Himalayas, in the south-central Terai region of Nepal, is where you’ll find Lumbini. It inspires a type of hallowed sense for millions of Buddhists throughout the world, similar to the significance of Jerusalem for Christians and Mecca for Muslims. Lord Buddha, the prophet of peace and the Light of Asia, was born at Lumbini in 623 B.C. The area is a stunning treasure trove of ancient ruins and relics that date to the time before Christianity.

Buddhism is relatively easy to practice and is based on the Ahimsa (no killing) concept. Buddhism seldom criticizes other people, doesn’t assert its own superiority, lacks zealots, and gets along well with any other philosophy or religion. As a result, Buddhism is becoming more and more popular in a perplexed and disturbed society where materialistic values are prioritized. Yoga and meditation are two Buddhist practices that are seen by Buddhists as means of cleansing the mind and spirit. Yoga and meditation practice at the spacious Lumbini Buddha Garden. There are many places to see/visit around Lumbini like:

• The Maya Devi temple
• Lumbini Grove
• Dharmaswami Maharaja Buddha Vihara
• Kapilvastu
• Niglihawa
• Aroarakot
• Devdaha etc.

7. Biratnagar

Biratnagar, the capital of Nepal’s Province No. 1, is a major metropolis close to the Indian border. Both the famed Kali Mandir, which is of paramount religious significance to Hinduism in the nation, and the Jute Mills, the first significant large-scale enterprise in Nepal, are located in Biratnagar. The city, which bears the name of King Virat, acts as a gateway to a number of locations in Eastern Nepal, including Baraha Chhetra and Ilam.

Biratnagar, which serves as the main jumping-off point for visiting eastern Nepal, is well connected by bus. After Pokhara, Biratnagar Airport serves as Nepal’s busiest domestic airport. The transportation options in Biratnagar include rickshaws, taxis, and automobiles. Electric rickshaws are the most popular form of local transportation in Biratnagar, while auto rickshaws (known as Tempos) are also available for longer commutes.

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Constituency of Nepal