Swayambhunath Stupa: The Monkey Temple of Kathmandu

Everything you need to know about visiting Kathmandu’s Monkey Temple, the Swayambhunath Buddhist temple.

Gazing out at the hazy skyline of Kathmandu, you’ll almost certainly catch sight of the white, spire-shaped stupa resting on top of the distant hilltop. This is Kathmandu’s Monkey Temple, or, more appropriately known as the Swayambhunath Stupa.

This sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site dates back to the 5th century and is one of the oldest and most revered temple complexes in Nepal. Whether you visit this site for its impressive architecture, to observe the playful monkeys, or as a spot to enjoy the sunset over Kathmandu city, it’s well worth the trip.

I visit this temple every time I come to Kathmandu (these days, that’s yearly) and in this blog post, I’ll outline everything you need to know about visiting the Kathmandu Monkey Temple yourself. I’ll also offer some advice on how to get there and throw in some facts I learned from my visit.

Getting to Swayambhunath Independently

If you only want to visit the temple, then you can also do this independently very easily by taxi.

We paid 500 Nepali rupees for a roughly 15-minute taxi ride to the base of the hill of Swayambhu. Alternatively, many tourists instead choose to walk, since it's only a 2.8-kilometer (30-minute) journey on foot from the heart of Thamel.

In my opinion, it's much easier to get a taxi. If you're visiting yourself, I recommend downloading the app called Pathao. This is the local version of Uber and you can also book a very cheap motorbike ride.

Entrance to the Monkey Temple

There are two entrances to this Buddhit complex, the first is the east entrance which features a long and steep set of stairs climbing swiftly to the top of the hill.

The second entrance is accessible via Manjushree Marg motor road. This road winds around the back of the hill all the way up to the top of the hill, where you will see a parking area.

If you are asking your taxi driver to drop you at the Monkey Temple, they will likely take you to the east entrance, which is the most recommended route. Here, you will need to climb a steep set of 365 stairs to reach the golden spire stupa atop the hill.

My Experience Visiting Kathmandu's Monkey Temple

After climbing the reportedly 365 steep stone steps, we reached the top of the hill. Just near the top, a guard stopped us and asked to pay the entrance fee.

Currently, this entrance fee is 200 rupees for foreigners, which I think is quite fair and worth it.

The temple is open to visitors every day from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. However, we stayed past 6:00 pm and nobody asked us to leave. In fact, there were still dozens of people hanging around enjoying the views over Kathmandu's urban sprawl while the sun set behind the valley.

The Swayambhunath Stupa

The main attraction at Kathmandu's Monkey Temple is the large, magnificent domed stupa with a white base painted with the eyes of the Buddha and a tall gilded spire reaching 43 meters in height. This is the Swayambhu Stupa, which means "self-created stupa.".

The legend goes that the stupa emerged spontaneously from a lotus flower, the sacred water flower in Buddhism and Hinduism, in the 5th century (believed to date back to 460 A.D).

13 tiers of Buddha's eyes surround the white dome base, painted in white, red, blue, and gold. You'll also notice the flapping vibrant prayer flags tied to the top of the spire. Although I didn't count, there are reportedly 365 flags, to match the stairs on the way up.

It's said that this stupa has undergone 15 significant repairs since its construction in the 5th century. Apparently, in the most recent repairs in 2010, 20 kilograms of gold was added to the spire.

The stupa is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the world. You'll notice that there are prayer wheels surrounding the circumference of the stupa, which Tibetan Buddhists walk around in a clockwise direction. This practice is called kora and is considered a form of meditation.

About the Monkeys at the Swayambhunath Temple

For most tourists, one of the most interesting things about the temple is of course, the monkeys. As soon as you reach the base of the stairs, you'll see dozens of monkeys running around. These are long-tailed macaques, one of the most common monkeys you'll find in Southeast Asia.

These guys are fairly used to humans, but are still a little feisty– they're monkeys after all. I like to photograph them but I'm still quite skeptical and keep my distance.

While exploring a local told me that the numerous monkeys at Swayambhunath are considered sacred in Kathmandu. They believe that they are the descendants of the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman. As a result, the temple staff care and feed the monkeys.

In addition, there are plenty of stray street dogs hanging around. I witnessed a pretty impressive showdown between one larger monkey and a dog– the monkey came out on top. The result? Let's just say I wouldn't mess with the monkey.

More Attractions at the Monkey Temple Complex

Of course, as with most of the significant temple sites of Kathmandu, the city's Monkey Temple forms a larger complex with several smaller temples, a variety of shrines, numerous statues, and other attractions besides the main stupa.

These include:

1. The Harati Temple: This temple is dedicated to Harati, the goddess of smallpox and epidemics. It is believed that Harati was once a demoness who caused diseases, but was later converted to Buddhism and became a protector of children and women.
2. The Vajra: This is a small tower located near the main stupa, which contains a statue of Vajrayogini, a tantric Buddhist deity. The tower is also decorated with intricate carvings and paintings.
3. The Tibetan Monastery: This monastery is located on the north side of the hill and is home to a large colorful prayer wheel and several small shrine. The monastery is also known for its colorful murals and frescoes and you'll likely see monks praying or meditating in the monastery with lit candles everywhere.
4. The Buddha Park: This park is located on the south side of the hill and features several large Buddha statues, including a 17-meter-tall bronze Buddha statue.
5. The Museum: The museum at Swayambhunath features exhibits on Buddhism and Nepali culture, including ancient artifacts, statues, and thangka paintings.
6. The Pilgrims' Bath: This is a small pond located near the entrance to the Swayambhunath complex, where pilgrims can bathe before entering the temples.

There are also some cafes and small shops where you can buy souvenirs. Additionally, local salespeople also set up stalls around the side of the stupa and further into the temple complex.

View of Kathmandu from the Monkey Temple Complex

The Swayambhunath is located on a hilltop in the western part of Kathmandu valley. As a result, this temple is one of the best sites for unobstructed panoramic views of the city in my opinion.

We arrived just in time for sunset, as we watched the hazy glow dim over the sprawling metropolis. Additionally, I was able to spot several prominent landmarks in the valley, such as the Boudhanath Stupa, the Pashupatinath Temple, and the Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Did you know? The Monkey Temple is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, with statues representing Hindu deities and showcasing Tibetan Buddhist practices and features like the om mani padme hum mantra adorned on the four sides of the stupa.

Interesting History of the Monkey Temple

The legend goes that back in the day, Kathmandu Valley was actually a giant primordial lake, surrounded by lush greenery and majestic mountains. But one day, a lotus flower appeared on the surface of the lake, and out of it sprouted a bright, fiery flame. This flame transformed into an absolutely stunning stupa, which is now known as Swayambhunath.

Another legend goes, that Swayambhunath was built by the bodhisattva Manjushri, who had a grand vision of a magnificent stupa on the hilltop. And, how did he get there– he rode on the back of a giant bird and used his supernatural power to transform the lake into land, and that's when the stupa emerged from the ground. Apparently, it even houses the Buddha's own relics, making it one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal.

Over the years, Swayambhunath has seen some tough action, historical and cultural events, earthquakes, fires, and even urbanization. But despite all the challenges, it's still a shining symbol of Nepal's incredible heritage and a beacon of hope for generations to come.

As mentioned briefly above, many have expanded the Monkey Temple complex throughout history. The Malla kings added smaller temples, shrines, and statues to the site in the 14th century, and it even played a role in the unification of Nepal under King Prithvi Narayan Shah in the 18th century.

FAQs About the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu

I hope you've enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Kathmandu's Monkey Temple at Swayambhunath. If so, make sure to check out some of my other guides below for more travel and adventure inspiration.

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