According to popular legend Kathmandu valley was once a great lake and Manjushree is said to have slashed a hill to drain the water to give us Kathmandu valley as we know it. Kathmandu today is treasure trove of architectural and cultural wonders. The three districts of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan located within the valley have extraordinary history that rivals each other and is home to seven UNESCO designated world heritage site. As the political and commercial capital of the country has embraced modernity yet cling to its tradition. A visit to the narrow alleys and the palace complexes offers a window to the glorious past of the valley. Unchanged for centuries some of the places look like open air museums with skillfully built temples, palaces and stone structures which bear testimony to the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the city. A tour begins with a stop at Pashupatinath, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer and creator of the Hindu pantheon. It draws a lot of pilgrims from all over Nepal and neighboring India. We then head to Boudhanath, which is the largest stupa in the world. It is interesting to see people for all ages, religion, pilgrims and tourists circummbulating this huge edifice. Measuring a massive 27 meters in diameter the giant structure symbolizes a mandala and also has the all seeing eyes of the Buddha. It is one of the few places where you can soak in Tibetan culture without any disturbance. Syambhunath is another glorious manmade landmark that dominates the western skyline of the city. Perched on a hill this instantly recognizable structure is a classic example of the religious harmony prevalent in the valley. The edifice is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists and it is believed that Emperor Ashoka paid a visit to this ancient shrine more than 2000 years ago. The palace complexes of Kathmandu and Patan are like open air museums. The exquisite woodcarvings and superb architectural designs of the pagodas are fascinating displays of Newari artistry and craftsmanship.