Today drive south east of Kathmandu towards Bhaktapur (approx 1 Hr drive from Kathmandu)
Enroute, make a brief stop at the quaint town of Thimi. Exquisite temples and other religious shrines dot the streets of this town. This potters town is known for its artistic masks and earthen pots, often seen spread out on the streets to dry in the sun. Handspun cotton cloth is another Thimi specialty.
Continue drive to Bhaktapur which was the former capital of the valley, and was once a flourishing city on the trade route to Tibet. Today, Bhaktapur is like an open air museum with large areas open to pedestrian access - it is a store house of mediaeval art and architecture. Interesting places to explore include the renowned Durbar square, Golden Gate at the Palace of 55 Windows, Potters square which houses the elephant headed Lord Ganesha temple who is believed to be the patron of potters in Nepal. Bhaktapur houses a variety of Hindu and Buddhist temples including Nepal’s largest Shiva Linga. You may also see artisans engaged in Bhaktapur’s traditional crafts of pottery and weaving.
On your way back to Kathmandu, visit the Patan Durbar Square. Patan is known for its museum, temples and superb craftsmanship of its artisans. Patan Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world.