Patan Durbar Square lies at the heart of Lalitpur, the historic city renowned for its Newari craftsmanship and metalwork. The square was once the royal centre of Patan and developed into an extraordinary collection of palaces, courtyards, temples and water fountains under the Malla kings. It forms one of the seven monument zones of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. The compact complex displays an impressive variety of Newari architecture, from tiered pagodas and brick palace façades to the distinctive stone shikhara of Krishna Mandir.

The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, better known as the Golden Temple, is one of Patan’s most remarkable Buddhist monasteries and a highlight of any visit to the old city. Its three-storey courtyard is covered with intricate metalwork, gilded images and detailed repoussé panels, with a large golden figure of Shakyamuni Buddha at its centre. Monkeys, lions and other decorative figures appear throughout the courtyard, while the upper shrine contains further Buddhist images and ritual objects. Back in the main square, the Krishna Mandir, built in 1637 by King Siddhi Narasimha Malla, is the architectural centrepiece, with its unusual three-storey shikhara design. The former royal palace opens into Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk, where visitors can see the exquisite Tusha Hiti sunken bath and the Patan Museum. Other important monuments include the Bhimsen, Vishwanath and Hari Shankar temples and the Manga Hiti, a traditional stone water fountain. Together, these monuments make Patan one of the finest places in the valley to appreciate Newari art and architecture.

Patan Durbar Square is in central Lalitpur, around 6 km south of Kathmandu. The square is easily reached by taxi or public transport, while the surrounding old city is best explored on foot.

Altitude: Approx. 1,300 m
Distance from Kathmandu: Approx. 6 km
Drive time: 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic
Walking time: Around 1.5–2 hours from central Kathmandu