Nepal: Kathmandu - Swayambhunath Temple aka Monkey Temple.

All seeing eye in Swayambhunath, Nepal.

Swayambhunath aka Monkey Temple is one of the main temple in Kathmandu, located on a mountain just outside of the Kathmandu hub. 

Although its just 3 to 4km away from Thamel district, but it takes about 20 minutes from Thamel to the place, because of the road condition. 

You have to bargain whenever you wave a cab (or a private taxi), we paid RS300 (RM 10+-) for that distance and consider very good deal as others offered RS500 to RS800.

from Thamel to Swayambhunath

Before we move down for more photos, lets go through some travel information that you might be looking for:

1. Does this temple charge a entrance fee?
Yes, RS200 for foreigner. You can barely running out from the ticket because the ticket counter is set up beside the end of the stair.

2. How long it takes to visit the whole temple?
Again, its very much depend on what you want to see. Beside the main temple aka all seeing eye as you see in the first picture of this post. There are a few small temple and hall to visit.
Of course, souvenir shops and F&B stores are available too.
For us, we took around 3 hours, and that including we sat down for a praying ceremony.

Advice: 
1. As this temple is located on the top of a hill, you've to walk along a long and steep stair, consider if you're fit to climb all the walk up and wear comfortable shoes and outfit.
2. Be respect, avoid to wear sexiness.
3. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM KIDS, this is encouraging them to quit from school and work.
4. BARGAIN for everything you buy, and check if stuff you get is what you choose.

Alright lets move down for some picture.

Took this after i passed the arched door. 

and this is the long and steep stair

all handcrafted

never, ever give them money, you're not helping but encourage to begging.

stalls along the stair.

why its also called Monkey Temple, because a lot of monkeys gather in this mountain la!

monkey boy.

fine piece of craft. 

taken from the top, the pink clay is ticket counter, so you cant run.

finally. And thanks for the perfect weather. 

fats.

and monkey.....

another angle. 

spinning the prayer wheels... 

to hope for peace and smooth on everything.

and more monkey..

random but i like this. 

praying.

buddha in another side of the mountain.

this as well.

red powder on the forehead means blessing.

souvenir shop and we got a pair of tiger padlock here, both of us born in tiger year. 

stone God.

all-seeing eye everywhere.

monkey is praying too.

putting up eye liner to ask for blessing.

love this cute little baby girl.

Kumari imitated little girl is not easy to find in monkey temple.

every faces i met in Nepal is unforgettable. 

praying stuff.

wanted to get one home but John stops me :(

last but not least, Monkey kutu :D

Alright so this mark the end of Kathmandu post, the next will be Pokhara, a small little town surrounded by mountains and lakes, which is 7 hours away from Kathmandu.

ok bai see ya soon :D










Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
20140225, 0900pm
Rach in goin down for some tv later mood.