Bhaktapur is the best preserved of the three medieval city-states in the Kathmandu Valley. Of the three Malla kingdoms, Bhaktapur became the most powerful. However, following the conquest and consolidation of the three kingdoms by Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768, Kathmandu became the capital, leaving Bhaktapur to become a sleepy rural town without the population pressures of the capital.
Significant restoration work has been financed by the German government over the last decade; it doesn’t feel at all derelict and shabby like parts of Patan.
There’s even a city gate still standing.
Looking through the Lasku Dhoka (City Gate) into Durbar Square
Wood carving on the Lasku Dhoka
Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square has a more open feel than Patan’s since some of the temples destroyed in the 1934 earthquake were not rebuilt.
Bhaktapur's Durbar Square from the City Gate
Durbar Square, Bhaktapur
The Royal Palace, Taleju Bell, and several temples in Durbar Square
Taleju Bell and Vatsala Durga Temple
Like at Patan, part of the palace has been converted into a museum. In this case, the entryway is guarded by a pair of huge stone lions.
Entrance to the National Art Gallery
Guardian Lion
Bhaktapur’s royal palace dates from the 12th century, although the oldest part still standing only dates from the 14th. The “55-window” Tripura palace was build by Jitamitra and his son Bhupatindra Malla. The Sun Dhoka or Golden Gate to the palace was built in 1754 by Jaya Ranjit Malla.
Sun Dhoka
The torana features a garuda wrestling with supernatural serpents and the goddess Taleju Bhawani
Ironwork atop the Sun Dhoka, Bhakatapur
55-Window Palace
Just one of many
The main courtyard with its Taleju Temple is inaccessible to non-Hindus, but one can meander to a back corner of the palace to a water tank used for ritual immersion of the idol of Taleju–the Naga Pokhari.
Naga Pokhari
The makara is eating a goat while other monsters watch
Just one of the cobras in and around the pool