Town or village · 1,401 m
Bhaktapur
A medieval Newar city in the east of the Kathmandu Valley, known for its temple squares, pottery, woodcarving and festivals.
Kathmandu Valleyचाँगुनारायण मन्दिर
Changu Narayan Temple
A hilltop Vishnu temple north of Bhaktapur, widely regarded as the oldest temple site in the Kathmandu Valley, set in a small Newar village.
- Altitude
- 1,540 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Apr
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Bhaktapur, Bagmati
- Permit
- Entry fee
Why go
Changu Narayan is a two-tiered pagoda temple dedicated to Vishnu in his form as Narayan, standing on a ridge top above the Manohara river on the north-eastern side of the Kathmandu Valley. It lies a few kilometres north of Bhaktapur in Changunarayan Municipality, and is reached by road or on foot along trails from Bhaktapur, Telkot and Nagarkot. The temple is one of the seven monument zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage property.
The courtyard is crowded with stone sculpture, much of it from the Licchavi period. Visitors usually spend time with the kneeling Garuda that faces the main door, the image of Vishnu riding Garuda, and the carved panels showing Vishnu as Vikranta (Trivikrama) and as the man-lion Narasimha. The roof struts carry painted figures of many-armed deities, and the gilded doors and windows are some of the finest metalwork in the valley.
A short brick-paved street of Newar houses climbs from the car park to the temple gate, lined with small shops, cafes and a couple of private museums. The village is quiet compared with the Durbar Squares, and a visit fits easily into a half day from Bhaktapur, or into a walk between Nagarkot and Bhaktapur.
History and culture
Changu has been a place of worship since at least the Licchavi era. A stone pillar in the courtyard carries an inscription of King Manadeva usually dated to 464 CE, often cited as the oldest dated inscription found in Nepal, and several of the sculptures are believed to be of similar age. Local tradition links the founding of the shrine to much earlier legends of Vishnu and a sacred cow.
The present temple building is not original: it was rebuilt in the early eighteenth century after a fire, and has been repaired many times since. The 2015 Gorkha earthquake damaged the temple and many houses in the village, and restoration work followed in the years after. The temple remains in active worship, and Newar families from the surrounding area come for daily puja as well as for festival days dedicated to Vishnu.
Things to do in Changu Narayan Temple
Explore the courtyard
Walk slowly round the temple and its subsidiary shrines, looking at the stone images of Vishnu, Garuda and Narasimha and the carved roof struts.
Village walk
Wander the lane below the temple to see traditional houses, rest houses and small craft shops.
Hike from Nagarkot
Follow the ridge and village trails down from Nagarkot to Changu, then continue to Bhaktapur, as a long half-day or full-day walk.
Combine with Bhaktapur
Pair a morning at Changu Narayan with an afternoon in Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Taumadhi Square.
Weather and the best time to visit Changu Narayan Temple
Weather in Changu Narayan Temple
Forecast for 1,540 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Apr
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and clear, the most comfortable months for the walk up from Bhaktapur or down from Nagarkot.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February brings cool, sunny days and cold mornings; valley fog can linger until mid-morning.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April are warm and dry, with haze building through the day.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet; the temple is open but trails become muddy and leeches appear in forest sections.
Where to stay
GuesthousesHomestaysHotels
A few small guesthouses and homestays operate in the village; most visitors stay in Bhaktapur or Nagarkot.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Changu Narayan is a short drive north of Bhaktapur by taxi or local bus, and can also be reached on foot from Bhaktapur, Telkot or Nagarkot.
Nearest hub: Bhaktapur
- roadTaxi or local bus from Bhaktapur up the hill road to the village car park, then a short uphill walk through the village to the temple.
- roadFrom Kathmandu, drive via Bhaktapur or the Bhaktapur-Nagarkot road; the trip usually takes around an hour or more depending on traffic.
- walkTrails lead down from Nagarkot via Telkot to Changu; allow most of a morning.
Permits and fees
Entry fee
No permit is needed, but foreign visitors pay a site entry ticket for the monument zone; SAARC and Nepali visitors have separate rates.
- Changu Narayan monument zone ticket: Bought at the village entrance; check the current rate.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Changu Narayan, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Changu Narayan Temple
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideslow in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain makes the hill road and walking trails slippery, and small slope failures can affect the approach.
Coldlow in a typical yearDec-Jan
Winter mornings on the hilltop are cold and often foggy; bring a warm layer for an early visit.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Remove shoes and leather items where requested, and do not enter the inner shrine; non-Hindus usually view it from the courtyard.
- Keep your ticket, as it may be checked on the way up through the village.
- Arrive early in the morning to see daily worship before tour groups arrive.
- If walking from Nagarkot, carry water and ask locally at junctions, as trails divide often.
Questions about Changu Narayan Temple
Is Changu Narayan part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. It is one of the seven monument zones of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage property.
How far is Changu Narayan from Bhaktapur?
It is a few kilometres north of Bhaktapur, a short taxi ride or a walk of a couple of hours.
Is there an entry fee?
Foreign visitors pay a monument zone ticket at the village entrance; check the current rate before you go.
Can I walk from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan?
Yes. Trails lead down from Nagarkot via Telkot to Changu, and many walkers continue to Bhaktapur.
Nearby
Viewpoint · 2,175 m
Nagarkot
A ridge-top village on the eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, known for sunrise views across the Himalaya.
Town or village · 1,400 m
Kathmandu
Nepal's capital, a sprawling valley city wrapped around a medieval Newar core, with major Hindu and Buddhist sites and the country's main airport.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 1,340 m
Boudhanath
The great white stupa of north-east Kathmandu, centre of the valley's Tibetan Buddhist community and its many monasteries.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Changu Narayan, Wikipedia, Bhaktapur District, Wikipedia, Kathmandu Valley, UNESCO World Heritage Centre