Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square · Kathmandu, Nepal
A royal palace square of Newar woodcarving, a microcosm of Hindu–Buddhist fusion.
Know before you go
- No photos when the Kumari appears (usually signposted in the courtyard)
- some buildings are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake, so don't enter fenced-off areas.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Durbar Square is the square in front of Kathmandu's old royal palace, filled with palaces and temples from the Malla period of the 16th to 18th centuries; the wood and bronze carving of Newar craftsmen is exquisite. It became a World Heritage Site in 1979 as part of the Kathmandu Valley. Beside the square, the Kumari Ghar is home to the living goddess Kumari — a girl chosen from the Shakya caste, who lives in seclusion and receives worship at festivals.
Local customs
- The living goddess Kumari appears briefly at her window each day (at no fixed time), and visitors can wait in the courtyard
- the square's pigeons and markets show Kathmandu at its most everyday.
Religion & beliefs
- Hinduism and Buddhism have long intertwined in Nepal, and the same temple often houses both Hindu deities and Buddhist images
- the Kumari is revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Nepal: you must hire a guide to trek in national parks
- Get a trekking permit and TIMS card
- Hire a local guide or porter
- Trekking alone in national parks and conservation areas
Breaking the rules can mean a fine or expulsion from the protected area; above 3,000 m there are risks from weather, avalanches and altitude sickness all year.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Nepal travel advice
Nepal: temple etiquette
- Wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders in temples
- Take off your shoes when asked
- Wearing shorts or a vest at holy sites
- Entering areas reserved for Hindus
It offends worshippers; some areas of Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Nepal travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- No photos when the Kumari appears (usually signposted in the courtyard)
- some buildings are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake, so don't enter fenced-off areas.
Locals appreciate DO
People in Kathmandu like to gather on the temple steps in the evening to chat and feed the pigeons, watching the sunset gild the woodcarvings.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- You need a ticket for the square (valid for several days, and can be stamped for extension)
- a local guide can explain the myths in the woodcarvings
- early morning has fewer visitors, good for looking at architectural details.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Momo
- Dal bhat thali
- Newari platter
Momo (Nepali dumplings — steamed, fried or in jhol soup), dal bhat thali (rice + lentil soup + curry, with refills), Newari platter (samay baji), chatamari (rice-flour crêpe, the 'Nepali pizza'), juju dhau (Bhaktapur's 'king of yoghurt' in clay bowls, sold in shops around the square)
| Where to eat | Newari restaurants around the square, the Thamel restaurant district, small places on Freak Street |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Inner sanctums of Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus, and some temples don't allow leather items inside (follow the notices); slaughtering cows is banned in Nepal, and 'buff' on menus means water-buffalo meat |
| Typical price per person | NPR 500–900 ≈ CNY 27–48 |
| Tips | At local places dal bhat comes with free refills; don't overeat before going to high altitude. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
TAPAS KUMAR HALDER · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Jayen Shrestha · CC BY-SA 4.0
Rajesh Dhungana · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bijay Chaurasia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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