This post was last updated on 2024 April 21
On one of my last days in Nepal last year, I took a day trip to Bhaktapur: a well-preserved medieval town not too far from Kathmandu. It marked my first time riding on a public bus in Asia as I was introduced to seats far too narrow to accommodate my average-sized American limbs, windows wide open and blowing all sorts of dirt and dust inside. Word to the wise, public buses in Asia are close to zero on a scale from 0 to comfortable.
Transportation discomfort aside, I had a fantastic day exploring Bhaktapur. We ended the day sipping tea over Durbar Square. Fun fact: there’s a Durbar Square in each of the 3 main towns in the Kathmandu valley (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan), all remnant of the old Newar kingdoms. Bhaktapur is also known for its pottery and ‘king curd’ (yogurt made from sweet buffalo milk), both of which I can attest to being impressive.
