Home > Nepal, Birthplace of Buddha > Kathmandu Valley ---the World Heritage Site
Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley enfolds the city of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is surrounded by rich green mountains and is a valley located 1,300 m above sea level that can overlook the Himalayas in the distance. The latitude is about the same as Okinawa in Japan, with a temperate climate. A tributary of the Ganges River runs through it, gifting the valley with rich farmland.
The Kathmandu Valley has long been a sacred place for Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as a cross-point of trade and culture in Asia. Religious art flourished, those including a great many number of temples, palaces, and sculptures. Especially, the three primary cities (capital city Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur) in the valley host valuable buildings of great artistic, cultural and religious importance, such as Durbar Square, stupas in Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. These were the center of importance when Kathmandu Valley joined the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979.
The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu. Nepal is located between India and China, at the southern foot of Mount Himalaya. Land area is 147,000 square kilometers (about 1/3 of Japan) and 83% of its land is mountains or hills. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics 2005 census, population is estimated to be 25.3 million. The official language is Nepalese. Nepal enjoys a mild climate all year round, with the average temperature of approximately 18 degrees centigrade. Agriculture is their main industry and over 70 percent of the working population is engaged in farming.
600 BC
Siddhārtha Gautama (Buddha) is born in Lumbini.
300 BC
King Ashoka of India makes a pilgrimage to south Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha.
500 AD
First dynasty in Nepal, Licchavi Dynasty was established.
900 AD
Devas rule.
1300 AD
Malla Dynasty rules.
1500 AD
Malla Dynasty splits into three; each establishes a kingdom respectively in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur are the respective capitals, and they rule Kathmandu Valley at the same time. In this period, the three kingdoms competed against each other in the construction of temples and palaces with beautiful relief, resulting in the flourishing of Nepalese art.
1769 AD
Prithvi Narayan brought Nepal under unified rule, and found Gorkha Dynasty with Kathmandu as capital.
1846 AD
Rana autocracy. Closed-door policy was taken towards diplomatic relations.
1951 AD
Restoration of Imperial Rule, and becomes a constitutional monarchy.
1956 AD
Establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan.
1990 AD
A new democratic constitution was introduced.
1899
Ekai Kawaguchi became the first Japanese Buddhist monk to visit Nepal.
1902
Eight Nepalese students were dispatched to Japan by the King of Nepal. (Many events were held to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2002)
1956
1956 Establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal.
1989
1989 Matsumoto (Nagano Prefecture) and Kathmandu became sister cities. (The landscape of Matsumoto Valley with Hida mountains in the background looked like Kathmandu Valley, and Kathmandu offered a sister city relationship)
1994
The opening of Kansai International Airport started the first direct flights between Japan and Nepal.
1998
Prime Minister Koirala, visits Japan as the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Nepal.
2000
Prime Minister Mori became the first Prime Minister of Japan to visit Nepal.
2006
50th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal.
”There have also been exchanges between the royal families and Diet members, and economic and technological exchanges over the years.
Number of Nepalese citizens in Japan: 5929(as of end of 2004 - Statistic of foreign residents)
Number of Japanese citizens in Nepal: 450(as of October 1, 2005 - Embassy of Japan, Nepal)
