UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal: The 4 Sites and How to Visit Them
Short answer: Nepal has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Kathmandu Valley (1979), Sagarmatha National Park (1979), Chitwan National Park (1984) and Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha (1997). UNESCO’s page for Nepal lists these four inscribed properties.
Nepal’s four World Heritage Sites at a glance
| Site | Type | Inscribed | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu Valley | Cultural | 1979 | Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur |
| Sagarmatha National Park | Natural | 1979 | Solukhumbu district |
| Chitwan National Park | Natural | 1984 | Chitwan, Nawalpur, Parasi, Parsa and Makwanpur districts |
| Lumbini, Birthplace of the Lord Buddha | Cultural | 1997 | Rupandehi district |
Sources: UNESCO: Nepal, States Parties (confirms the four inscribed properties) and Wikipedia: List of World Heritage Sites in Nepal (for years, type and location). Check UNESCO’s site pages for the official inscription details.
1. Kathmandu Valley
The Kathmandu Valley is listed as a cultural site made up of seven monument groups:
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Patan Durbar Square
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Swayambhunath
- Boudhanath
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Changu Narayan Temple
The valley was listed as World Heritage in Danger from 2003 to 2007, according to Wikipedia’s summary. Several monuments were also damaged in the 2015 earthquake, so check which areas are open or under restoration before you go. See our Kathmandu travel guide for planning.
2. Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmatha National Park, in Solukhumbu district, was inscribed in 1979 as a natural site and covers about 124,400 hectares. It is the park you enter on the Everest Base Camp trek. The Nepal Tourism Board lists the entry fee at NPR 3,000 per person per entry for foreign nationals (children under 10 free). Read our Everest Base Camp trek cost guide and trekking rules guide before you plan.
3. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is a natural site inscribed in 1984 in southern Nepal. The Nepal Tourism Board lists the entry fee at NPR 2,000 per person per entry for foreign nationals. Our Chitwan National Park tour guide covers what to expect.
4. Lumbini
Lumbini, in Rupandehi district, is a cultural site inscribed in 1997 as the birthplace of the Lord Buddha. Read our guide to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.
Sites that could be added
Nepal has a Tentative List of sites that may be nominated in future. Examples include Panauti, Tilaurakot, the cave architecture of the Muktinath Valley, the medieval palace complex of Gorkha and the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang. These are not World Heritage Sites yet.
How to plan a visit
- Best season: see our best time to visit Nepal guide.
- Fees and permits: park entry fees are listed by the Nepal Tourism Board. Confirm fees for the Kathmandu Valley monuments and Lumbini on site, because they are not covered here.
- Safety and insurance: read our safety guide and travel health insurance guide.
- More ideas: see top places in Nepal for UK travellers.
Frequently asked questions
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Nepal?
Four: the Kathmandu Valley, Sagarmatha National Park, Chitwan National Park and Lumbini.
Which Nepal sites are natural and which are cultural?
Sagarmatha and Chitwan National Parks are natural sites. The Kathmandu Valley and Lumbini are cultural sites.
Is Mount Everest a World Heritage Site?
Mount Everest lies inside Sagarmatha National Park, which is a World Heritage Site.
Which site is easiest to visit?
The Kathmandu Valley monuments are the easiest, because they are close to Kathmandu’s airport and hotels.
Details can change, including site access and fees. Confirm with the relevant authority or your tour operator before you travel.
