Temple · Kathmandu, Nepal
Swayambhunath
An ancient hilltop stupa complex in the Kathmandu Valley, one of the most ancient and important stupas in the world.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Cropped and resized for display.
Landmark facts
| Location | Kathmandu, Nepal |
|---|---|
| Type | Temple |
| Area | Area: 0.33 km² |
| Coordinates | 27.7150° N, 85.2900° E |
Every fact above is taken from the sources listed below; anything no source states is left blank rather than guessed.
What Swayambhunath is known for
An ancient hilltop stupa complex in the Kathmandu Valley, one of the most ancient and important stupas in the world.
About Swayambhunath
Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city in Nepal. The hill on which the stupa stands has been an ancient pilgrimage site considered the home of the primordial Buddha known as the Adi-Buddha. For the Buddhists throughout the world, the stupa is venerated as one of the most ancient and important stupas in the world. For its outstanding universal value, Swayambhunath was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
History
King Vrsadeva ordered work on the pilgrimage site in 640 CE, as recorded by a damaged stone inscription. In the 15th century the Indian Buddhist monk Sariputra led a reconstruction of the stupa, assisted by a king of the Malla dynasty. Pratap Malla, king of Kathmandu, built the eastern stairway in the 17th century. The stupa was completely renovated in May 2010, its first major renovation since 1921, and the complex suffered damage in the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.
Planning a visit? Visit the official Swayambhunath website — the official site has the current visiting information.
How to get there
| Nearest town | Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport | Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) |
| Distance from the airport | 4.2 miles (straight line) |
Nearest major airport by straight-line distance from the landmark's coordinates; road distance will be longer.
Airports near this landmark
The airports a visitor would actually fly into, nearest first — each link opens its profile on our sister site AirportProfiles.
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) · Kathmandu, Nepal · 4.4 miles away
- Pokhara International Airport (PHH) · Pokhara, Nepal · 84.3 miles away
- Gautam Buddha International Airport (BWA) · Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa), Nepal · 116.0 miles away
Landmarks nearby
The closest landmarks in this library, by straight-line distance.
More landmarks in Nepal
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Frequently asked questions
What is Swayambhunath?
An ancient hilltop stupa complex in the Kathmandu Valley, one of the most ancient and important stupas in the world.
Where is Swayambhunath located?
Swayambhunath is in Kathmandu, Nepal. Its coordinates are 27.7150° N, 85.2900° E.
How do I get to Swayambhunath?
The nearest town is Kathmandu, and the nearest airport is Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), about 4.2 miles away (straight line).
What is the history of Swayambhunath?
King Vrsadeva ordered work on the pilgrimage site in 640 CE, as recorded by a damaged stone inscription. In the 15th century the Indian Buddhist monk Sariputra led a reconstruction of the stupa, assisted by a king of the Malla dynasty.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath — Wikipedia article — overview, history and core facts (CC BY-SA).
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12946982 — Wikidata — built year, architect, height/size, visitors, official website (CC0).
- http://swayambhu.buddhism-foundation.org/ — Official website of the landmark / managing body.
- https://github.com/jbrooksuk/JSON-Airports — Nearest major airport computed from landmark and airport coordinates (haversine); airport list: jbrooksuk/JSON-Airports.
Page last updated 13 November 2026.