Kathmandu
Decide whether to visit or live in Kathmandu, then explore current conditions, local people, the map, and concise sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Thursday, October 15, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
AI-assisted, evidence-constrained research · how this page is made
Would you visit or live in Kathmandu?
Choose your plan and circumstances. The result changes immediately using today's advisory, weather, air-quality, and sourced local signals.
Suitable with normal precautions
Travelers are advised to monitor flood warnings, especially in the Rasuwa district and Nepal‑China border area, and to register with the British Embassy’s Family Assistance Centre if needed. Standard precautions for urban travel apply.
high source confidence · current planning signal, not a personal-safety guaranteeSee the evidence and calculation
- Current official alerts require extra planning
- Latest air-quality reading is not elevated
- Seasonal flooding risk in nearby districts
- Potential disruptions near the Nepal‑China border
- Availability of consular assistance through the British Embassy
The score combines dated official-advisory wording, weather, air quality, sourced local context, and your selections. It does not predict crime or individual outcomes. Check local authorities and professional advice before a safety-critical decision.
Climate normals · 2016–2025
When to go: Kathmandu month by month
Judged purely on 2016–2025 weather records, the friendliest months in Kathmandu are typically March, October and November, with average daytime highs around 21–24°C. June is usually the warmest month (average high 27°C), January the coldest (average low 5°C), and July the wettest (about 887 mm). These are long-run averages, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.7 | 4.9 | 22 | 9.4 |
| February | 18.9 | 6.7 | 27 | 10.2 |
| March | 22.3 | 10.5 | 55 | 10.4 |
| April | 25.4 | 14.0 | 79 | 11.1 |
| May | 25.4 | 16.2 | 240 | 10.7 |
| June | 26.6 | 19.1 | 470 | 9.7 |
| July | 26.4 | 20.2 | 887 | 7.4 |
| August | 26.6 | 19.9 | 727 | 8.0 |
| September | 25.9 | 18.7 | 446 | 8.7 |
| October | 23.8 | 14.7 | 97 | 9.8 |
| November | 21.0 | 9.9 | 8 | 9.8 |
| December | 18.2 | 6.2 | 8 | 9.4 |
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People and places shaping Kathmandu
AI-assisted local research, regenerated with the dated live layer. Every requested module remains visible; facts appear only after a source check, and unavailable categories explain what is still being researched.
Research updated Wednesday, September 16, 2026Past and future events in Kathmandu
Upcoming
No future event in Kathmandu currently has a sufficiently reliable date and source. This is checked again on every refresh.
Previously
- Documented history · 1628
The earliest Western reference to Kathmandu appears in an account of Portuguese Jesuit Father Joao Cabral who passed through the Kathmandu Valley in the spring of 1628 and was received graciously by the king of that time, probably King Lakshminarasimha Malla of Kathmandu on their
Sources checked (2)
Interactive geography
See Kathmandu in context
Keep the deeper context
Stable history, culture, districts, and practical reference remain in the main reading flow while the live layers above continue changing.
01 · OverviewKathmandu, in brief
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, serving as the nation's central governmental, financial, industrial, and cultural hub. Positioned within the Kathmandu Valley in the central part of the country, the city functions within the Bagmati Province at an elevation of 1,317 meters above sea level.
How did a devastating medieval turning point reshape the trajectory of the settlement? During the early years of the Malla era, a catastrophic earthquake struck Kathmandu, claiming the lives of one-third of the population, including King Abhaya Malla. This disaster destroyed most of the previous architecture from the Licchavi era, such as Mangriha and Kailashkut Bhawan, and caused the loss of literature collected in various monasteries. Yet, this adversity gave way to a remarkable renaissance. Kathmandu rose to prominence again by dominating trans-Himalayan trade between India and Tibet, establishing Nepali currency as the regional standard. Later in the Malla period, competing fortified cities drove tremendous development in arts, architecture, esthetics, and trade, laying the enduring foundations of the urban heritage visible today.
What defines the cultural and geographical landscape of the city today? Historically known as Kantipur or Kasthamandap, Kathmandu dates its continuous habitation back to the 2nd century AD. As the traditional political and cultural center for the indigenous Newar people, the capital features numerous palaces, temples, and gardens recognized as World Heritage Sites, including Durbar Square, Swayambhu Mahachaitya, Bouddha, and Pashupatinath. The surrounding urban area experiences rapid urbanization and hosts a multi-ethnic population where Nepali and Newari are prominent among multiple spoken languages.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kathmandu
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhere is Kathmandu located and what are its coordinates?
Kathmandu is situated in Nepal at geographic coordinates 27.7017, 85.3206, with an elevation of 1317 meters above sea level.
02 · Q&AWhat is the population and time zone of Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a recorded population of approximately 1,442,271 and observes the Asia/Kathmandu time zone.
03 · Q&AWhat languages and currency are used in Kathmandu?
Official and commonly spoken languages in Kathmandu include NE, English, with NPR used for local transactions.
04 · Q&AHow can I check live conditions and daily updates for Kathmandu?
Today's Atlas provides continuous tracking for Kathmandu, featuring real-time weather conditions, daylight cycles, local geographic signals, and verified daily briefs.
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