Patan Travel Guide
Travel to Patan - City of Fine Arts
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The beautiful city of Patan sits just 8km south of Kathmandu, over the Bagmati River. Also called Lalitpur this city was once the capital of its own kingdom and has been for some time renowned as a centre for the arts. Its Durbar Square is of comparable importance and indeed impressiveness as that of the nation’s capital and yet it is a quieter city - perfect for a day trip from the capital.
Said to be based on the chakra or Buddhist ‘wheel of righteousness’ Patan has 4 large stupas believed by some to have been built by the great Buddhist Emperor Ashoka around 2,250 years ago. Called Patan today the city has over the course of the centuries had many different names including Yala, Yupagram , Lalitpatan and Maningal.
Today there are more than 1,200 monuments in the form of temples and bahals in the city and it is of course a World Heritage Site. The city was once an independent Newar kingdom before 1597 when it was along with others unified to form part of what we now call Nepal.
The city’s rich artistic heritage is manifest not only in the exquisitely carved temples, houses and shrines but in the metalwork shops that are scattered throughout the city. Bronze casting is an ancient and delicate art and the work of Patan’s master craftsmen is stunning.
Most sights of interest lie in and around the Durbar Square, a great place to begin any exploration of the city. With numerous temples, bahals, statues and backstreets to discover a day in Patan is a day well spent.
Attractions in Patan
The main attraction in Patan is the Durbar Square area which, during the 14th to 18th centuries, attained its full glory and is reputed to hold the very best Newari architecture to be found in the country.
Numerous temples, such as the Bhimsen, Krishna, Jagannarayan temples can be found here whilst nearby the 5-storey Kumbeshwor Temple can be found. Note the statue of King Yoganarandra Malls on top of a tall column opposite the Hari Shankar Temple and look for the Taleju Bell, once rung by people petitioning the king. The eastern side of the square is flanked by the Royal Palace which dates from the 17th century and is still impressive despite earthquake damage. Other places to visit include the Rath Machhendranath Temple, Patan Museum and several chowks or courtyards.
Metal workshops lie to the north of the square and are interesting places to visit, as is the uninspiringly-named Patan Industrial Estate, located at Langankhel near Satdobato which is known for its woodcarving, metal craft, and thanka painting workshops.
Activities in Patan
A full day could easily be spent exploring Patan but a 3 or 4 hour visit will give a good grounding in its history and appreciation of the main sights. As with so much sightseeing to important and ancient sites in this part of the world, a local guide only adds to the experience.
Relaxing
Lots of restaurants overlook the city’s Durbar Square – the perfect place to take a break and brush up on your Ranas and Mallas.
Getting Around
Patan can easily be explored on foot – get there by taxi from Kathmandu
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