Patan (Lalitpur – "City of Beauty") is arguably the finest cultural destination in the Kathmandu Valley. Its Durbar Square is the most architecturally refined of the valley's three medieval palace squares, and the Patan Museum within the Old Royal Palace is the best museum in Nepal for traditional Newari art and metalwork. The surrounding old town contains an extraordinary density of Buddhist courtyards, temples, water fountains and traditional artisan workshops representing a living urban culture established over 1,500 years ago.
Patan is Nepal's metalwork capital. The workshops around Durbar Square produce Buddhist statues, ritual bells and temple objects using techniques unchanged for centuries. Shopping here – where you can watch craftsmen at work – is the finest craft purchasing experience in Nepal. The Mahabouddha Temple, the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) and the Machhendranath Temple are among the neighbourhood's most significant religious sites. Combine a Patan visit with the Kathmandu Valley heritage tour for the most complete valley cultural programme.
Once, an independent and mighty kingdom of the Kathmandu Valley, Patan was/is a melting pot of two influential religions, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The pious Krishna (Hindu) temple, which rests in the middle of the town; into the very own town, whose entire city's architecture was dedicated to the philosophy of the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness) molds Patan, to this date, as a glorious city of culture, religion, art, and heritage.
Patan is merely 5 km away from the capital city, Kathmandu, but, despite such proximity, its 'preserved' ancestral uniqueness distinguishes Patan as a different environment to experience in a short travel. Patan is also known as Lalitpur, "City of Beauty", and its unique Durbar Squares, temples, alleys, cuisine, hospitality and religious tolerance justify the pre-historic status of the city.
Patan is a city of 55 major temples, 136 Buddhist monasteries, fine metal works, and countless festivals. Patan takes pride in producing great Thanka painters in the country. In every - now and then - corners and alleys of Patan can be seen with Thanka painters, filling color to ancient Gods and Goddess.
Patan, in recent years, has become a favorite spot for Diplomats, INGOs, and NGOs. Perhaps for its peaceful environment, despite being close to the capital city, or just because the city is plain beautiful, in itself, Patan has numerous cafe, pubs, and shops, that offer Buddha's, exotic, handmade brass sculpture at very reasonable price.
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