Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in the north-west parts of the temple.

The Tibetan name for the site means “Sublime Trees”, for the many varieties of trees found on the hill. For the Buddhist Newars, Swayambhunath occupies a central position and is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Boudhanath.

Map: Swayambhunath
Map: Swayambhunath