Swayambhunath
The monkey temple, on a hill, with the Buddha's eyes turned to all four horizons.
Duration
1 hr – 2 hrs
Difficulty
●●○○○
Best time
Early morning
Open
Every day
Entry price
To confirm
Swayambhunath is probably the oldest religious site in the valley: inscriptions mention it in the fifth century, and tradition takes it much further back. It is Hindu and Buddhist at once, which is common in Nepal.
The eyes painted on the four faces of the tower are the Buddha's, turned to the four cardinal points; between them, what looks like a nose is the Nepali numeral one, meaning unity. Three hundred and sixty-five steps climb from the east, and the macaques that live on the hill gave it its nickname.
Getting there
Three kilometres west of the centre. Taxi from Thamel, fifteen minutes, then the eastern stairway or the road that comes round the west side.
What the price covers
paid entry, rate to be confirmed
What to bring
- Walking shoes
Rules on site
The macaques take food, bottles and plastic bags held in the hand: do not eat anything on the steps. The western road comes up almost to the top and avoids the three hundred and sixty-five steps.