Boudhanath Stupa — a giant stupa considered the center of Buddhism in Nepal. When believers look at the Boudhanath Stupa, they see the Buddha — this reflects the site’s special atmosphere, a distinct and easily recognizable sense of peace and tranquility. The stupa is a spatial mandala: its base symbolizes earth, the hemispherical dome represents water, the spire with 13 steps (corresponding to the 13 stages on the path to Nirvana) stands for fire, the parasol signifies air, and the crowning belvedere embodies the sky.

Swayambhunath Stupa — this temple complex sits atop a hill (known as the “Monkey Hill”), reached by climbing 365 steps. As a religious center, the stupa was already well known in the 5th century. Swayambhunath is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and is the oldest in Nepal. It is here that the ancient character of the place is felt most acutely.

Kopan Monastery (Gelug school) — a renowned Tibetan Buddhist monastery that combines a religious center, a hub for spiritual practices, and a nunnery. Visitors from around the world come to Kopan to immerse themselves in its spiritual atmosphere and learn meditation techniques.

Pashupatinath — the largest Hindu temple complex in Nepal. It is considered the most important holy temple of Shiva in the world and is often called the Varanasi of Nepal. Hindus believe that cremation at this sacred site is a direct path to heaven, which is why bodies are sometimes brought here from other countries. The entire complex embodies the presence of Shiva, so the prevailing mood is one of praise for Shiva (including the evening fire Aarti rituals) and a special atmosphere of solemn peace, in line with the concept of Eternity.

Parping — an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, a village in the Kathmandu Valley. It features the Vishnu Temple, a Buddhist monastery, the Vajra Yogini Temple, and a small chapel where you can see a self‑manifested image of Tara. The most significant site here is the Asura Cave: it was in this cave that Padmasambhava, the great teacher who brought Buddhism to Tibet, attained the level of Mahamudra Vidyadhara. For a long time, Guru Rinpoche practiced various tantric rituals within these walls. Through meditation on Vishuddha Heruka and Vajrakilaya, he not only realized the state of Mahamudra but also subdued the local demons, thereby bringing great benefit to all of Nepal. One sign of Guru Rinpoche’s spiritual realization is the palm print he left on the rock surface near the entrance to the Asura Cave.

Patan (Lalitpur) — a city of craftsmen not far from Kathmandu, famous for its decorative arts. It is often regarded as the oldest and most beautiful city in the Kathmandu Valley. At every turn, you’ll find small shops overflowing with trinkets: silver jewelry with semi‑precious stones, unusual wooden figures, metal statues of Hindu gods, tubs filled with powdered spices and incense, and a kaleidoscope of patterned carpets.

Bhaktapur, meaning “city of the devoted” or “city of the faithful,” was long the capital of a kingdom and a center and source of traditional art, architecture, and craft traditions. Within its small area are palaces and temples, including several listed by UNESCO: the Yaksha Malla Royal Palace, the Vatsala Devi Temple, the Siddhi Lakshmi Temple, the 55 Windows Palace, the National Art Gallery, and many others.