Situated approximately 20 kilometres east of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the three royal cities of the scenic Kathmandu Valley. Dubbed Nepal's cultural gem, this predominantly pedestrian city, dating back to the 12th century, has managed to preserve many local traditions and old medieval architectural structures. The city is commonly referred to as a living museum due to its medieval squares lined with elaborate temples and palaces, impressive terracotta monuments with ornately carved wood columns, and quaint winding alleyways weaving their way between traditional red-brick homes and quaint hidden courtyards. Visitors can also look forward to experiencing the Bhaktapur’s rich cultural life as the town’s squares are filled with artisans weaving cloth, making exquisite pottery and chiselling timber in plain view of tourists passing by.