Patan Durbar Square Guide: The City of Fine Arts

Overview

Patan — historically known as Lalitpur, the City of Fine Arts — is the second-largest city in the Kathmandu Valley and sits just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. Its Durbar Square is widely regarded as the most architecturally refined of the three Durbar Squares in the valley, featuring an extraordinary collection of Newari palaces, temples, and courtyards in a compact area. The Patan Museum inside the old palace is one of the finest museums in South Asia for Buddhist and Hindu art.

Getting There

From Thamel, Patan is about 20-30 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. Cross the Bagmati River at Tripureshwor and head south to Mangal Bazaar, the neighbourhood surrounding the square. Local buses run from Ratna Park bus station. The square is about 300 metres from the Kopundol area, which is Kathmandu's expat neighbourhood and good for restaurants.

Key Monuments

The main palace complex contains three principal courtyards: Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk with its carved stone bath, and Keshav Narayan Chowk. The Krishna Mandir in the main square is a stone temple built entirely without wood — rare in Nepal — with friezes depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana carved along the lower levels. The Bhimsen Temple is dedicated to the god of traders and craftsmen and is important to the Newar merchant community. The Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) a short walk north of the square is a gilded Buddhist monastery of great antiquity.

The Patan Museum

The Patan Museum occupies the restored Keshav Narayan Chowk courtyard and is considered one of the best museums in Nepal. Its collection of bronze, stone, and gilt-copper religious objects from the medieval period is outstanding. Audio guides are available and help contextualise the iconography. Plan at least 90 minutes for the museum alone.

The Streets Around the Square

The streets radiating out from Mangal Bazaar are lined with workshops where Patan's famous metalworkers and wood carvers continue traditional crafts. Oku Bahal and the nearby lanes are particularly good for watching artisans work. Patan is also home to many of Kathmandu Valley's best mid-range and upscale restaurants, particularly in the Kopundol and Jawalakhel areas.

FAQ

How is Patan Durbar Square different from Kathmandu Durbar Square?
Patan's square is more compact, better preserved, and arguably more refined in its architecture. It receives fewer visitors than Kathmandu's square and feels calmer. The Patan Museum is also significantly better than Hanuman Dhoka's museum in terms of curation.

What is the entry fee?
Entry to Patan Durbar Square and the museum costs NPR 1,000 for foreign visitors. A combined valley ticket covering all three Durbar Squares is available.