The Kathmandu valley is fertile, flat, and situated at an altitude of 1200 to 1500 meters. In spite of its small size (only 570 sq. km.), there are a record seven-world heritage sites declared by UNESCO—a number unrivalled anywhere else in the world for such a compact area.

       
     Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a center of cultural sophistication. Though hosting a population of just half a million people, it is Nepal's largest and only cosmopolitan city. Despite the exotic allure of its name, Kathmandu is sadly becoming, like many south Asian capitals, an overcrowded, traffic-snarled city where the heavy smog all but precludes any scenic views of the world's highest mountains in its horizon. Numbered among the famous places to visit are: the Hanuman Dhoka (temple of the monkey god), Pashupatinath (holiest pilgrimage site), Swayambhu Buddhist stupa, Boudhanath Tibetan monastery, Patan market, Bhaktapur (the most picturesque town of the East), Chagunarayan (the oldest Pagoda). Many tourists prefer to spend a short time in the capital and then, literally, head for the hills.