Asian Paradises

— N e p a l — – 143 – www.paradises.com Nepal is wedged between China to the north and India to the south. Only small in length and breadth, in height it amazes. Four great rivers split Nepal into four main areas: vast plains in the south, the foothill jungle, fertile valleys in the midlands, and the inner Himalayas, with peaks of 6000 to 8848 metres. Capital & Major Centres The capital Kathmandu, positioned between the world's tallest mountains and lowland tropical jungle, simultaneously embodies history and modernity. Its tightly packed centre preserves a world very different to the shanty towns, expensive hotels, restaurants and shops on the city's outskirts. The second largest city in the valley, Patan lies just across the Bagmati River, and is a much quieter place to visit. Bhaktapur is the most medieval of the three major cities in the Kathmandu Valley and, despite recent development, retains a timeless air with much of its architecture dating from the end of the 17th century. The city of Pokhara, near the base of the mountains, is an ideal place to gear up for, or recover from, a trek. The People Nepal has a population of about 27 million people from more than 101 ethnic groups, each coexisting peacefully with its own language, customs and rituals. While around 92 languages are spoken, the national language is Nepali, written in a distinctive Devanagari script. English is widely spoken and understood in Kathmandu. Religion is the lifeblood of the Nepalese. Nepal is a secular country with a high degree of intermingling of Hinduism and Buddhism. Other religions include Islam, Christianity and shamanism. Nepal is the birthplace of both Gautama Buddha, born in Lumbini, and Sita, the heroine of the epic Hindu Ramayana, who was born in Janakpur. History Nepal's recorded history began with the Kiratis, who arrived in the 7th or 8th century BC and established a dynasty in the east, where they ruled for 1000 years. During this period Buddhism first came to the country. By 200 AD Buddhism had waned and was replaced by Hinduism, brought by the Licchavis, who invaded from northern India. The Newars of the Kathmandu Valley are believed to be their descendants. The Hindus also introduced the caste system (which still exists) and ushered in a classical age of Nepalese art and architecture. Another great contribution to Nepal's artistic heritage came with the reign of the Malla dynasty. Despite earthquakes, the odd invasion and feuding between the independent city-states of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the dynasty flourished, reaching its zenith in the 15th century under yaksha Malla. After a 600-year rule, however, conflicts arose between the kings and, during the late 18th century, Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha, conquered Kathmandu and united Nepal into one kingdom. With the threatening presence of the British Raj in India, he cleared the country of European missionaries and Nepal remained in isolation for more than a 100 years. The first prime minister to wield absolute power in Nepal was Jung Bahadur Rana, who implemented an oligarchy and reduced the Shah kings to figureheads during the mid-19th century. A democratic movement saw the Ranas overthrown in the early 1950s. Until recently, Nepal enjoyed a multi-party democratic system with a constitutional monarch. In September 2007, the interim parliament abolished the monarchy, declaring Nepal a federal democratic republic. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly officially implemented that declaration on May 28, 2008. Nature Nepal is home to the world's highest mountain, Everest (8848 metres), and the equally spectacular Annapurna. The Himalayas form Nepal's northern border and cover 16 percent of its total land area. The country boasts an astounding diversity of animal life, with exotic mammals such as the royal Bengal tiger and snow leopard, as well as rhinoceros, elephant, bear, deer, monkey and jackal; and 800 bird species including the rare danphe bird. There are more than 6500 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in Nepal, and in March and April rhododendrons, the national flower, burst into colour. The Sights Kathmandu Valley is home to seven World Heritage monuments. These seven man-made wonders are found within a 20-kilometre area. Kathmandu's Durbar Square forms the heart of the city, with its intriguing collection of temples and palaces. At Chitwan National Park, 146 kilometres south of Kathmandu, visitors can see wildlife, ride elephants, can take a canoeing trip down the river and visit Tharu villages. In Patan, the stunning Durbar Square has the largest display of Newari architecture in Nepal, including the Royal Palace. Just north of the square is the Golden Temple, a Buddhist monastery guarded by sacred tortoises. Bhaktapur, 13 kilometres southeast of Kathmandu's city centre, is home to probably the best known site in Nepal – the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath, also known as 'monkey temple', after the large tribe of monkeys that guard it. Beyond, on the banks of the Bagmati River, is Pashupatinath, the country's pre-eminent Hindu temple and one of the most significant Shiva temples on the subcontinent. The huge stupa of Bodhnath is the largest in the country and among the largest in the world – and is also the centre for Nepal's considerable population of Tibetans. Trekking is a strenuous but ideal way to see Nepal's central hills, valleys and its northern highlands. You can trek into the mountains as far as the Everest base camp, through Sherpa villages and monasteries such as Thyangboche and Pangboche. Geographically a part of the Tibetan plateau, Upper Mustang was opened to non-Nepali trekkers only fifteen N E P A L

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