Swayambhunath Shrine

Address: Swayambhunath Stupa (Swayambhu), Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Hours: Daily (site accessible during daytime hours; temples used for worship)

Admission: Modest entry donation/fee for foreigners is commonly requested at the site (check local sources on arrival)

Swayambhunath is an ancient Buddhist stupa complex perched on a hill overlooking Kathmandu, long identified with the Kathmandu Valley’s religious landscape and origins dating back to at least the early medieval period. The site is commonly called the “Monkey Temple” because of the macaque population around the complex.

The complex’s main highlight is the large domed stupa topped by a gilded spire and the painted eyes of the Buddha on all four sides; pilgrims walk clockwise around the stupa and spin prayer wheels on the surrounding terraces. From the eastern terrace there are panoramic views across central Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley; several smaller shrines, chaityas, and monasteries surround the main stupa.

Major building phases are associated with the medieval Licchavi and Malla periods; the stupa and associated shrines were rebuilt and enlarged at various times by kings, local donors, and monastic communities. The complex has served continuously as an active religious site for both Buddhists and Hindus and has been maintained by local monasteries and trusts.

Swayambhunath sits on a wooded hill to the west of central Kathmandu, within the Kathmandu Valley in Bagmati Province. The complex is a short drive from central Kathmandu and is accessible by foot from nearby neighborhoods; the site is urban but elevated above the surrounding city streets.

• Steps to viewpoint: Climb a flight of roughly 365 stone steps from the base to reach the main stupa terrace and viewpoint.
• Restricted sanctums: Non-Hindus and non-Buddhists may enter the complex grounds but access inside some temple sanctums is restricted.

What to See#

• Main Stupa: The hilltop stupa is the central monument with the painted pair of all-seeing eyes on each cardinal face and a white dome base that crowns the site; pilgrims and visitors circulate the stupa clockwise around its lower terrace.
• Eastern terrace and viewpoint: A stone stairway leads up the hill to several terraces and shrines; the eastern terrace provides the main city viewpoint over Kathmandu.
• Monkey area: Groups of free-ranging rhesus macaques occupy the complex and adjacent trees; they are a familiar presence near the staircases and shrines.

Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) sits on a hill just west of central Kathmandu. From Thamel or central Kathmandu take a short taxi ride or a local microbus to the Swayambhu area (typically 10-20 minutes by road); vehicles can drop visitors near the stupa, and a stairway leads up from the road (commonly cited as about 365 steps). Expect a brief walk of a few minutes from the vehicle drop‑off to the main stupa and plazas.

• Arrive at Swayambhunath at sunrise for quieter, more contemplative access and the best panoramic views of Kathmandu from the stupa platforms.
• Observe local practice by circumambulating the stupa clockwise and be cautious around the many temple monkeys - secure loose items and avoid feeding them, as they frequently snatch possessions.
• Head up to the higher terraces and monastery rooftops for less crowded viewpoints and better photo angles of the painted eyes and cityscape; these vantage points are often overlooked by quick visits.