I arrived at City Palace early in the morning, when there were hardly any people. It was stunning, opulent, and exactly what I pictured seeing in India. If you’re in Jaipur, I recommend you also visit Amer Fort and the Monkey Temple.
Asia
Jama Masjid Mosque, Delhi, India
I didn’t get to see much of Delhi, as the pollution gave me a respiratory infection which forced me to stay indoors. However, I found this mosque to be a welcome respite from the chaos of the city.
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Asia
Bhaktapur, Nepal
Bhaktapur is located about 45 minutes east of Kathmandu. It’s a pedestrian city — quieter, slower, and better preserved than Kathmandu. However, it also seemed to have been hit much harder by the earthquake than Kathmandu. If you plan to stay in Bhaktapur, I recommend staying at the Peacock Guest House.
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Asia
Annapurna Eco Village, Pokhara, Nepal
If you’re in Pokhara, I highly recommend visiting the Annapurna Eco Village. Truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. You can also stay at the Eco Village, if you prefer to have a more secluded and peaceful stay in Pokhara.
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Asia
Pokhara, Nepal
Pokhara is located in central Nepal, close to the Annapurna Himalayas, on a lake with colorful fishing boats. If you’re in Pokhara, I recommend visiting Annapurna Eco Village, which has some of the most stunning views of the Himalayas.
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Asia
Patan, Nepal
If you have extra time in Kathmandu, I recommend taking a short taxi ride south to Patan. Get dropped off at Durbar Square. There’s a building across the street from the entrance with an open staircase on the side — climb the stairs and you’ll end up on the roof, where you’ll have a nice
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Asia
Himalayas, Everest Region, Nepal
I didn’t have enough time to go all the way to Everest Base Camp during my first visit to Nepal, but was happy to learn you can do a short trek from Kathmandu > Lukla > Phakding > Namche Bazaar > Syangboche (3780 meters / 12,401 feet). On a clear day, you can see the
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Asia
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is one of my favorite cities in the world. My first visit to Nepal wasn’t long after the 2015 earthquake leveled parts of the city. I highly recommend staying at the Kasthamandap Boutique Hotel, a lovely hotel conveniently located in Thamel. If you have time, you can also visit Patan and Bhaktapur.
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Asia
Foshan, China
Foshan is less than an hour outside Guangzhou, easily accessible by bus or train, and a great place to spend a long layover in Guangzhou. I visited the Ancestral Temple, Nanfeng Kiln, and the qaint neighborhood surrounding the Kiln. Note — I have a ten-year multi-entry visa for China; I recommend checking temporary visa requirements.