Lalitpur

Lalitpur—historically known as Patan—claims status as the Kathmandu Valley's oldest city, with origins traced to the 2nd century BC and architecture that predates its larger neighbor across the Bagmati River. Patan Durbar Square forms one of the seven monument zones in the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring the only temple in Nepal adorned with 21 stone shrines and the finest examples of Newar craftsmanship in brick, stone, and timber. Four stupas supposedly built by Emperor Ashoka in 250 BC mark the city's corners. The Patan Museum, housed in a restored section of the old royal palace, displays Buddhist and Hindu art that attracts scholars and tourists alike. Newar artisans continue traditions passed down for generations—metalwork, woodcarving, and thangka painting sustain a craft economy that tourism supports. Yet Lalitpur has urbanized into Greater Kathmandu, its historic core surrounded by dense residential development that blurs the boundary between ancient city and modern suburb. The October 2024 UNESCO program on traditional craftsmanship for heritage preservation reflects ongoing efforts to maintain authenticity amid development pressure. By 2026, Lalitpur's trajectory depends on whether heritage tourism can expand, whether craft traditions survive generational transition, and whether urban planning can protect the historic core from the construction that threatens its character.