Bhaktapur is a home of medieval art and architecture. Shaped like a conch shell, Bhaktapur means the 'city of devotees'. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. The City is about 19 km from Kathmandu.

The city Bhaktapur known as Bhadgaon "City of devotees" is 13 km east of Kathmandu. This is most beautiful medieval town is the most preserved of the three medieval cities. exquisitely carved 55 windows palace. The Golden Gate an old palace, 5-stored Nyatapole temple and Bhairav Temple near by and Dattatreya square etc. can be observed.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square
About 20 km east of Kathmandu is a town called Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon), meaning the city of devotees. It covers an area of 5 sq.km and was founded by King Anand Dev (889 A.D.) in the shape of a conch shell, which is a sacred symbol. The Malla's who built magnificent temples; statues, etc once ruled in Bhaktapur. The key attractions of this place are The Lion Gate, he Golden Gate, the statute of King Bhupatendra Malla, 55 windows Palace (Built in 1700 AD), Nyatapola temple (Built in 1702 AD), Dattatraya temple (Built in 1427 AD), Bhairabnath temple (Built in 1718A AD) etc. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monuments in 1979.

Datta-Traya Temple
The temple of Dattatraya is as old as the Palace of Fifty five Windows. Consecrated by King Yakshya Malla in A. D. 1427, this temple, according to popular belief, was built out of the trunk of a single. The Datta-Traya Temple also built by late King Vupatindra Malla in the 17th century is a famous pagoda carrying an amusing history. This is a wooden temple facing west; it is believed that the timber used for its relevant construction was sawed out of a single tree. So you can imagine how big the tree must have been. The square has been nomenclatured from the name of the Deity itself. The three-storied temple is dedicated to the three-headed Deity of the orthodox Hindus. It symbolizes the divine triad, a mere combination of Brahma (the Creator), Bishnu (the Preserver) and Maheshwor (the Destroyer). The square as a whole can be regarded as a marvelous gallery of intricate wood carvings. One can smell environments of medieval period around the square. In the periphery of the temple, you can also see monasteries, Vimsen Temple and a platform. There are a couple of handicraft quarters around where watching the skills of the carvers is a sheer joy. The Pujari-Math Temple has the renowned Peacock Window in the landside facing the cardinal direction of east. It is a pure wooden structure, a master-piece indeed. Apart from these, there exist two special museums-the Metal Craft Museum and the Wood Craft Museum.

Changunarayan
This 5th century temple located over a hillock 15km east of Kathmandu and is full of art works on metal and wood. Inscriptions dating back to 464 A.D., found here, are the first epigraphic evidences of Nepali history. The key attractions of this temple are Vishworoop, Vishnu Vikranta, and Vishnu riding Garuda, Nr-singha Vishnu etc. This temple is built by King Hari Dutta. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monuments in 1979.