On a quiet ridge above Bhaktapur, Changunarayan is one of the oldest and most beautiful temples in the Kathmandu Valley, and one of its seven UNESCO-listed monument zones.
Quick answer: Changunarayan is a temple of Vishnu. Its stone pillar carries an inscription by King Manadeva dated 464 AD, the earliest known inscription in Nepal. The two-tiered pagoda is covered in superb wood and stone carvings. Reach it by road from Bhaktapur, or on the popular day hike from Nagarkot.
Highlights
- The Licchavi-era inscription pillar.
- Exceptional stone sculptures, including Vishnu on Garuda.
- Carved roof struts and gilded doors.
- A small village with a museum and craft shops.
Getting there
- About 30 minutes by road from Bhaktapur.
- On foot from Nagarkot in about 3–4 hours, downhill through villages: see our Nagarkot to Changunarayan day hike.
Tips
Foreign visitors pay an entry fee. Combine with Bhaktapur and Nagarkot. See UNESCO sites in Nepal.