Nepal's tallest pagoda and its most perfectly proportioned — five tapering roofs on a five-tiered plinth, guarded by paired stone wrestlers, elephants, lions and griffins climbing the stairs.
Built in 1702 and unshaken by the great earthquakes since, Nyatapola presides over Taumadhi Square. Climb the plinth steps for the view down over Bhaktapur's brick rooftops and the life of the square below.
Built
1702
Height
33 metres · 5 tiers
Survived
Both 1934 & 2015 quakes
Insider tip
Settle at a café on the square with a juju dhau (the "king of curds") and watch the temple change with the light.
Look for
1The five guardian pairs of the stairway — each ten times stronger than the pair below
2The carved goddess struts under each of the five roofs
3Its secret: the temple's tantric deity has never received public worship
More in Bhaktapur
Visit with a private guide
Add to your journey