Hanuman Dhoka Building

Address: Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur), Kathmandu, Nepal

Hours: Daily 9:00am-5:00pm

Admission: NPR 1,000 (~$8) - Kathmandu Durbar Square ticket for foreign visitors (price subject to change)

Hanuman Dhoka is the historic royal palace complex in Kathmandu’s central Durbar Square, named after a large stone statue of the Hindu deity Hanuman that guards one gateway. It served as the seat of Nepalese royalty for centuries and forms a central part of Kathmandu’s palace and temple ensemble.

The complex contains multiple courtyards, timber-framed palace buildings and shrines exhibiting Newar wood carving and traditional architecture; it is a focal point for religious and state ceremonies. Visitors come to view the carpentry, stonework and the sequence of courtyards and temples within the palace footprint.

Construction and expansion occurred over several centuries under Malla and later Shah rulers, with successive additions, repairs and rebuildings following fires and earthquakes. The site continued to function as a royal and administrative centre until the 20th century and has undergone conservation work in response to earthquake damage.

Hanuman Dhoka sits in Basantapur, the historic core of Kathmandu city, within the Kathmandu Durbar Square complex in central Kathmandu. It is immediately accessible from the surrounding urban streets of the city centre.

• Hanuman statue: Look for the large stone statue of the monkey god Hanuman that gives the palace its common English name; it stands near the main entrance.
• Earthquake damage and restoration: Parts of the complex were seriously damaged in major earthquakes and have been subjects of phased restoration and conservation work.

Hanuman Dhoka sits in the Basantapur quarter of central Kathmandu; it’s a short walk from Thamel (about 15-20 minutes) or a quick taxi ride. Kathmandu’s main bus routes stop nearby; from Tribhuvan International Airport it’s roughly a 30-45 minute taxi trip depending on traffic.

• Hire a local guide at the entrance to read the inscriptions, explain the panels and point out damage from the 2015 earthquake-there's a lot that a plaque won't say.
• Time a visit for Indra Jatra (late August/early September) if the living Kumari appears; otherwise go early morning to avoid school groups.
• Respect ritual boundaries: many courtyards remain active religious sites, and photography is sometimes restricted around certain shrines.