Kathmandu has numerous identities. It is renowned as the city of gods; it is also called the city of open museums and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites capital as it houses the highest number of World Heritage Sites listed in UNESCO. It was also entitled as the most colorful city in the world several times.

The devastating earthquake of April 25 took its heavy toll upon these heritages sites, and tourists visiting these sites plummeted sharply.

Appearance of these sites is completely different from what media have portrayed so far, or from our imagination harbored from the images of post disaster sites. Though reflection of disaster is apparent, World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu—Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changunarayan, Patan Durbar Square and Basantapur Durbar Square – are marked safe for visit, and the government formally opened the sites for visitors by organizing an event.

Nepal government has urged both internal and external tourists to visit these sites as they stand tall, and look serene and sound as always.