Heritage · Nuwakot
Seven-storey palace history walk
Walk the palace complex with a guide who tells the story of the 1744 siege, the Gorkha campaign and the king's last years here, from the guard house to the Ranga Mahal theatre and the house of Rana Bahadur Shah.
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We start outside the walls, where you can see how the palace was sited: on the highest point of the ridge with drops on two sides and a clear view up the Trishuli toward Tibet. The main tower is 84 by 36 feet at its base, with a main door facing east. Your guide explains how the floors were used, from the guard rooms at the bottom to the king's rooms, a prayer room higher up, and the floors used as a prison.
Around the main palace stand the smaller buildings: the Garad Ghar where soldiers and ammunition were kept, the Ranga Mahal where kings watched dance and theatre, and the house built for King Rana Bahadur Shah in 1795, ruined by 1957 and rebuilt later. Some areas may be closed for restoration work after the 2015 earthquake, so the route changes a little from year to year.
The walk ends at the edge of the ridge as the light goes, looking down on the Trishuli. Here we tell the later story: the Chinese army close to Nuwakot in 1792, the British envoy in 1793, and the slow return to village life once Kathmandu became the capital. It is a good hour for photographs of the tower against the hills.
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Questions
Is there an entry fee for Nuwakot palace?
Yes, the Nuwakot Durbar complex charges an entry ticket, with a higher rate for foreign visitors than for Nepali and SAARC citizens. Prices are set by the authorities and change, so check current status before you travel. Keep small notes ready, since card payment is not reliable on the ridge. Your guide's fee is separate.
Can you go inside the seven-storey tower?
Access depends on the state of restoration work after the 2015 earthquake. In some years visitors could enter lower floors; at other times the tower was closed while engineers strengthened it. We check before each visit. Even when the interior is shut, the courtyards, outer buildings and temples around it make the walk worthwhile.
How long should I spend at Nuwakot palace?
Two to three hours covers the palace complex, the Bhairavi temple and the climb to the Taleju temple at an easy pace with time for photographs. Add an hour if you want to walk through the village lanes and sit at a tea shop. Staying overnight lets you see the site at both sunset and sunrise.
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