Bhaktapur

A September 2001 trip to Bhaktapur by Leesa

BhaktapurMore Photos

Don’t miss Bhaktapur. If you’ve been to the Durbar Squares and have begun to have had enough of the would-be-guides don’t worry as the hassle in Bhaktapur was barely noticeable.

  • 7 reviews
  • 3 photos

BhaktapurBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Bhaktapur
Just wandering aimlessly around the city’s traffic-free (well, apart from the odd car) medieval streets, particularly straying to its fringes including Hanuman Ghat on the river to the southeast of the city, are a joy of everyday scenes. As the tour groups recede at dusk, and the local people and vegetable sellers throng to the squares, find a suitable viewpoint/café and watch daily routines unfold.

Only around Durbar Square did would-be-guides approach us, although far more low key than Kathmandu. Invariably we would just end up chatting about the state of the world. Elsewhere we noted young boys repeatedly offering to take us to their painting school in the evening when their teachers were painting. Their knowledge of English, and other European languages, as well as European current affairs was amazing, although the cynic in me wonders if this is a ploy of their teachers to better appeal to tourists. Thankfully polite refusals were well received.

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This was the best of the bunch of the mid-range options. The rooms were cosy and clean with a good ceiling fan, although small. Finding a few bed bugs before going to sleep did not lend themselves to a good night’s sleep, plus the regular ringing of the puja bell in Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole from 4am. Screened windows.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Leesa on November 22, 2001

Pagoda Guest House
Taumadhi Tole Bhaktapur, Nepal

Looking newly refurbished this was a strong contender, apart from no mosquito screens on the windows. We also felt sure the noisy re-tiling going on was bound to start up at some ungodly hour in the morning.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Leesa on November 22, 2001

Pahan Chhen Guest House
Taumadhi Tole Bhaktapur, Nepal

The rooms facing Taumadhi Tole we were shown were hot and airless, with only a small free standing fan, which didn’t appear to be able to be pointed towards the bed.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Leesa on November 22, 2001

Bhadgaon Guest House
Taumadhi Tole Bhaktapur, Nepal

The mid-range rooms we saw here were tired and grubby, with all windows all unreassuringly barred. The guest house is sandwiched between residential buildings and could be noisy I imagine as the neighbours start to get up from 5am!
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by Leesa on November 22, 2001

Golden Gate Guest House
Durbar Square Bhaktapur, Nepal

Nyatapola CaféBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

High in a converted temple overlooking Taumadhi Tole, you inevitably pay for the location. But it is a great vantage point in the late afternoon to watch Taumadhi Tole come to life.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Leesa on November 22, 2001

Nyatapola Café
Taumadhi Tole Bhaktapur, Nepal

Sunny RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

A tiny doll’s house of a building overlooking Taumadhi Tole. There are very few tables so get here early if you want a balcony seat. Very attentive service, but not an overly spectacular vegetarian set meal, although extra helpings of dhal seemed to be included.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Leesa on November 22, 2001

Sunny Restaurant
Taumadhi Tole Bhaktapur, Nepal

About the Writer

Leesa
Leesa
Brighton, United Kingdom

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