Present Kathmandu

The Kathmandu Valley consists of three primary cities - Kathmandu itself, Patan (south of the Bagmati River), and Bhaktapur. Patan and Kathmandu run up right against each other (again, separated only by the river), whilst Bhaktapur is set off much closer to the eastern foothills. A lot of foreigners live in Patan, as that is where the relief agencies tend to be headquartered.

Bhimsen Tower of KathmanduKathmandu itself is home to most of the embassies, businesses, and the palace. The King's Palace (a large newly-pink building) stands right next to Thamel - the main tourist center. (Thamel consists of two parallel streets just to the west of the palace. It is home to lots of hotels, such as the Kathmandu Guest House, and lots of "hole in the wall" type establishments where backpackers tend to stay.) The palace is at the head of Durbar Marg, a street lined with various shops.

Kathmandu itself only recently began to name its streets. Until that time, most residences and buildings were located by general areas.

The "old" city is noted for its many Buddhist and Hindu temples and palaces, most dating from the 17th century. Many of these landmarks have been damaged by earthquakes and pollution. This valley hosts an UNESCO World Heritage Sites composed by seven different Monument Zones: The centers of the three primary cities, Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka, Patan and Bhaktapur, the two most important Buddhist stupas, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath and two famous Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath temple and Changu Narayan. Since 2003 the site has been inscribed in the World Heritage List as being "in danger" out of concern for the ongoing loss of authenticity and the outstanding universal value of the cultural property.

Kathmandu has been popular with western tourists since the 1960s when it became a key stop on the hippie trail. It is also the subject of a popular Bob Seger song for the same reason.

It is the most densely populated city in Nepal. The main and original dwellers of the Kathmandu Valley are Newars.