Swayambhunath Temple

• Address:Swayambhu, Kathmandu
• Fee: Rs 200
• Transportation: Take a taxi from Thamel District for about 200 rupees
• Time reference: 2 hours

Swayambhunath Temple, also known as the Swayambhunath Temple, was founded 2,500 years ago and is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Nepal. It is named after the large number of monkeys in the temple. According to legend, the Kathmandu Valley was once a large lake, and a small island in the lake was filled with golden lotus flowers, where the Tathagata Mahavahara appeared. Later, the lake receded, the Kathmandu Valley was formed, and the island turned into a hill. Believers built the temple on the top of the mountain, which is now the Monkey Temple. From the top of Swayambhunath Temple you can have a beautiful view of Kathmandu, especially in the evening.

Historical overview

According to legend, the establishment of the Monkey Temple is related to ancient Buddhist legends. It is believed that this place was originally a lake, and later the lotus of the reincarnation of the Buddha grew here, forming this holy place. With the spread of Mahayana Buddhism, the Monkey Temple has gradually developed into an important pilgrimage site, attracting countless believers and tourists.

Throughout history, it has undergone many renovations and expansions, forming the temples and pagodas we see today. The architectural style is a fusion of Indian and Nepali traditions.

The Swayambhunath is not only the center of Buddhist faith, but also represents Nepal's rich historical and cultural heritage. There are many ancient cultural relics and artworks here, and it is an important place to study the history of Nepal. The Monkey Temple is named after the monkeys that live around it. Monkeys also have symbolic meaning in local culture and are often regarded as sacred animals.

Architectural features

The Swayambhunath Stupa is a typical Nepali stupa whose design combines elements of Buddhism and Hinduism. The base of the pagoda is a huge white hemisphere covered with a golden square body. There are a pair of eyes on each side of the pagoda, symbolizing the omniscience of the Buddha. The third eye above the eye is a symbol of wisdom, while the eyebrows are the Nepali number "1", which represents unity and harmony.

Religious significance

Swayambhunath Temple is not only a holy place for Buddhists, but also a place of worship for Hindus. Around the stupa, there are many Hindu temples and shrines dedicated to different gods. This temple embodies the religious diversity and tolerance of Nepal

What can you do at Swayambhunath Temple?

1.Climbing the steps: Climb the 365 steps from the foot of the mountain to the top of the temple. You can see many monkeys on the way, which is very interesting. Monkeys often play here, attracting tourists to take photos.

2.Appreciate Buddhist art: There are many exquisite Buddha statues and murals in the temple. You can carefully observe these works of art and learn about Buddhist culture.

3.Overlooking the view: After reaching the top of the temple, you can see the magnificent panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley, especially at sunrise or sunset, the view is even more charming.

4.Participate in religious ceremonies: If you happen to catch up with a local religious ceremony, you can see the monks' chanting and rituals and feel the strong religious atmosphere.

5.Take photos: There are many scenic spots suitable for taking photos, especially the eye on the top of the pagoda, which often becomes a check-in point for tourists.

6.Try local snacks: There are some stalls around the temple where you can taste traditional Nepalese snacks, such as "momo" (dumplings) and "sel roti" (rice rings).

7.Interact with locals: You can communicate with local residents and pilgrims and learn about their beliefs and lifestyles.

When is the best time to go？

The best time to go to the Swayambhunath Temple is usually in the morning or evening. In the morning, the area around the temple is relatively quiet, so you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the morning and the pagoda in the morning light; in the evening, the light at sunset is very charming, and the view overlooking Kathmandu is also particularly beautiful. In addition, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the peak tourist seasons in Nepal.Mainly because the weather conditions are ideal during these two seasons. Spring (March to May) is warm and dry, with mountain flowers in bloom and beautiful scenery; autumn (September to November) is warm and sunny, suitable for outdoor activities. Additionally, there is less rainfall and high visibility, making it ideal for hiking and visiting cultural sites. At the same time, these two seasons are also the festival seasons in Nepal, and tourists can experience rich local culture and traditional activities.

Best trip to Swayambhunath Temple

12 Days China and Nepal Tour

Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, Kathmandu, Nagarkot

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Tips

1. It is best to visit the Swayambhunath Temple in the afternoon and reach the top of the mountain before sunset to watch the beautiful sunset. After sunset, the light shining on the big pagoda is still very beautiful.

2. In the urban area of Kathmandu, the scale of the city cannot be seen. Standing on the top of the mountain where the Monkey Temple is located, you can see that Kathmandu is spread out in the valley of Nepal, and it is full of dense buildings.

3. When going up and down the mountain, everyone should pay attention to the steps, some are steep.

4. As the name suggests, there are many monkeys stationed in the Monkey Temple. The monkeys will suddenly grab things in the hands of tourists, so don't take food in your hands. Parents with children must keep an eye on their children!

5. There are many prayer wheels next to the pagoda. Many local Buddhists are making pilgrimages. Tourists can also walk around the pagoda to experience it.

*The prayer wheel should be rotated clockwise around the pagoda.