Bagmati Province, Nepal
Things to do in Nuwakot
A historic hilltop town in Bagmati, north-west of Kathmandu, crowned by the seven-storey Nuwakot Durbar and pivotal to Nepal's 18th-century unification.
Nuwakot is a historic hilltop town in Bagmati Province, about 75km north-west of Kathmandu, set on a ridge above the Trishuli River. Its name means "nine forts," and for centuries this commanding position guarded the trade route between the Kathmandu Valley and Tibet. In the 18th century it became the staging ground for one of the most important campaigns in Nepali history.
The town's centrepiece is the seven-storey Nuwakot Durbar, the Saat Tale Durbar, a tall brick-and-timber fort-palace from which Prithvi Narayan Shah directed the unification of Nepal. Around the palace stand active shrines: the fierce Bhairabi Temple, long tied to the Shah court, and the hilltop Malika Temple, reached by a short climb for sweeping ridge and Himalayan views.
Below the town the valley opens to the river. The Devighat confluence, where the Trishuli meets the Tadi, is a revered cremation and pilgrimage ghat, while the Trishuli River itself draws rafters and kayakers to one of Nepal's most accessible whitewater runs. The workaday markets of Battar and Bidur bazaar anchor everyday life along the riverside road.
Start with our roundup of the top things to do in Nuwakot, then sort the practicalities: where to stay, how to get there and the best time to visit. For the wider picture, see our national guides to the best places to visit in Nepal and rafting in Nepal.
Where to stay in Nuwakot
Sights & attractions in Nuwakot
What to do in Nuwakot
Shopping & markets in Nuwakot
Rafting & rivers in Nuwakot
Getting around in Nuwakot
Plan your trip in Nuwakot
Frequently asked questions
Is Nuwakot worth visiting?+
Yes, especially if you have an interest in Nepali history. Nuwakot's seven-storey Durbar is one of the country's most important historic palaces — the base from which Prithvi Narayan Shah launched the conquest of the Kathmandu Valley and the unification of Nepal. Add temple shrines, a riverside pilgrimage confluence and Trishuli rafting and it makes a rewarding, low-key day trip or overnight from Kathmandu.
How far is Nuwakot from Kathmandu?+
Nuwakot sits roughly 75km north-west of Kathmandu in Bagmati Province, about three to four hours by road via Trishuli Bazaar (Bidur). It pairs naturally with the drive towards Langtang and is easy to combine with Trishuli River rafting on the way.
What is Nuwakot famous for?+
The seven-storey Nuwakot Durbar, known as the Saat Tale Durbar, and its role in Nepal's history. From this hilltop fort-palace Prithvi Narayan Shah controlled the trade route into the Kathmandu Valley and directed the campaign that unified the country in the 18th century.