During this trip, we did not have time to venture into the mountains, but we relished our time spent discovering the ancient city of Patan. Unlike many areas in Kathmandu, such as Thamel, where it was overrun by tourism and had, in my humble opinion, little remnants of Nepali culture. Streets were packed with budget hotels, ATMs, souvenir shops and travel agencies etc. I felt I could have been anywhere around the world. Patan on the other hand, a half an hour drive south of Kathmandu, remained an area built and inhabited by locals.
One of the main allures of Patan for me is, it is a showcase for Newari architecture and at the centre lies Patan Dubar Square, the epitome of this distinguished Nepalese artistry. The red bricked walls provide the perfect canvas for the elaborately carved wooden windows ornamented with deities, mystical creatures, peacocks, dragons and other auspicious elements. Sadly, they have not been well preserved in residential areas, but locals have become more aware of their value. Due to the foresight of some locals many are still intact, like those in the four-star Dwarika’s Hotel, where you can see some exquisite examples.