Lumbini
The spiritual heart of Lumbini, Maya Devi Temple marks the spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in around 563BC. In the adjoining…
Must-see attractions in The Terai & Mahabharat Range
Lumbini
Located outside the main compound, but easily accessible by bike, the impressive gleaming-white World Peace Pagoda, one of the world's greatest stupas,…
Lumbini
With strong touches of Angkor Wat, this colourful fantasy due for completion in 2018 is already one of the most fascinating temples in Lumbini. The temple…
Lumbini
Close to the north end of the pond, this stunning and imposing wat (Thai-style monastery) is built from gleaming white marble. The blue-roofed meditation…
Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery
Lumbini
This elegant monastery is one of the most impressive structures at Lumbini. Reached through a gateway flanked by dogs of Fo, the elegant pagoda-style…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
At the heart of Janakpur lies the marble Janaki Mandir, one of the grander pieces of architecture in Nepal, and the city's must-see sight. Built in…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
Burned out on ancient sites? Here's a contemporary take on the temple compound, and it's very impressive. The centrepiece is a Shiva temple that resembles…
Daman Mountain Resort View Tower
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
Some of the best views of the Himalaya in Nepal can be had from the concrete viewing tower inside the Daman Mountain Resort. Unfortunately, the resort has…
Lumbini
The Myanmar Golden Temple is one of the oldest structures in the compound. There are three prayer halls – the most impressive is topped by a corncob…
Lumbini
At the time of research, the government of South Korea was finishing up this massive temple. The interior is magnificent; you might find workers still…
Nepal Vajrayana Mahavihara Temple
Lumbini
This beautiful Newari temple with central courtyard was nearing completion at time of research.
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
At the bottom of Asan Tole (the steep road running east from Sitalpati), the Amar Narayan Mandir is a classic three-tiered, pagoda-style wooden temple…
Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa
Lumbini
This truly extravagant stupa, constructed by the German Tara Foundation, contains a hollow crown partly covered in glass, revealing a small Buddha within…
Thrangu Vajra Vidhya Monastery
Lumbini
This monastic temple funded by Canadians opened in 2014; 80% of the residents are nuns. The temple is noted for the nearly three thousand Buddha statues…
Lumbini
This classic Tibetan-style gompa (Buddhist monastery) was built in 2001 by Buddhists from Singapore and Nepal. The mural work inside is quite refined…
Lumbini
This grand yet tasteful chörten (Tibetan reliquary stupa) was constructed by Buddhists from Manang in northern Nepal, but needs some work. There's a…
Ilam
This tower offers captivating views of the Ilam Bazaar and the remote villages of surrounding valleys. There's also a daal bhaat restaurant (meals Rs 250…
Lumbini
Located on the grounds of the Myanmar Golden Temple is this huge gilded stupa in the southern Burmese style, inspired by the Shwedagon Paya in Yangon.
Mother Temple of the Graduated Path to Enlightenment
Lumbini
The Austrian Geden International Foundation constructed this complex of stupas and monastery buildings, the latter in classical Greek style.
Lumbini
The grand and moated Sri Lankan Monastery contains elaborate and colourful murals depicting the life of Buddha.
Lumbini
About 29km west of Lumbini, Tilaurakot has been identified as the historical site of Kapilavastu, where Siddhartha Gautama spent the first 29 years of his…
Chitwan National Park
A few hundred metres past the park headquarters in Kasara is a crocodile breeding project, where you can see both gharials and marsh muggers up close. The…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
Hidden away in a stone courtyard southeast of the Janaki Mandir, the Ram Mandir is the oldest temple in Janakpur (1782) and built in the classic tiered…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
At the southern end of Sitalpati is the striking red Tansen Durbar, which has been nicely restored after being razed during one of the Maoist insurgency’s…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
The main square in Tansen is dominated by (and named after) a curious octagonal pavilion, used for public functions in the days when Tansen was ruled by…
Lumbini
The Indian emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini in 249 BC, leaving behind an inscribed sandstone pillar to commemorate the occasion. After being lost for…
Lumbini
The wetlands surrounding the World Peace Pagoda are protected as a crane sanctuary and you stand a good chance of seeing rare sarus cranes stalking…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
As you approach Itahari centre from the highway you will see this large temple on the right riverbank just after you cross the signed Budhi Bridge. Most…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
This rather bizarre temple next to the Janaki Mandir marks the spot where Rama and Sita were married. The temple is topped by a modernist interpretation…
Shree Rikheshwar Mahadev Mandir
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
About 1km south of the village, a narrow trail leads west through the forest to this tiny Shiva temple. On the way, you can drop into a gorgeous little…
Lumbini
Tucked away at the northern end of the compound, this museum is devoted to the life of the Buddha, with a nice collection of artefacts and photos from…
Crocodile Breeding Centre & Rhino Centre
Bardia National Park
A small breeding centre for marsh mugger and gharial crocodiles, as well as turtles. An adjacent enclosure contains Shivaram, a rhino who was injured as a…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
The information centre at the park headquarters in Kusaha is actually an interesting museum, with displays of elephant, deer and arna skulls, along with a…
Lumbini
Vietnam's contribution has a grand roof but one kitschy lawn: its fake mountains resemble a minigolf hole. The faded grandeur is also a reminder that…
Lumbini
This large golden Buddha is the latest addition to the various monuments at the southern end of the central canal, joining the Eternal Flame and the…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
Provides broad views over the fields and forests near the park headquarters. Also a great place to hide from charging elephants.
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
The local governor used to ride out to greet his subjects on an elephant through this grand gateway south of Sitalpati.
Lumbini
This modest building is the only monastery in the compound built solely for female devotees.
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
The Mountain Botanical Gardens span 15 hectares of forest. To the nonbotanist this is more of a woodland walk than anything else, and guides are available…
Wildlife Display & Information Centre
Chitwan National Park
Aimed more at school groups than tourists, this educational centre has displays on wildlife, including a rather macabre display of animals in formaldehyde…
