Frequently Asked Questions

Foreign nationals pay NPR 400 (about $3 USD) to enter the stupa complex. SAARC nationals pay NPR 100. Nepalese citizens and children under 10 enter for free. Check our Ticket prices guide for more details.

Sunrise and twilight are the best times to visit. You will see more local pilgrims performing the kora. Read more in our Best time article.

The stupa is roughly 6 to 7 kilometers northeast of Thamel. A taxi ride takes 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. See Getting There for transit options.

You must dress modestly. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. You also need to remove your shoes and hats before entering any monastery. See our full Dress Code tips.

You cannot go inside the central dome structure. However, the dome can occasionally be accessed via a small staircase to walk around its upper platforms. Always walk clockwise.

Plan for at least 1.5 to 2 hours. This gives you time to walk the kora path, spin the prayer wheels, and visit one or two nearby monasteries.

Boudhanath is a massive, flat mandala-shaped structure central to Tibetan Buddhism. Swayambhunath sits on a hill, blends Newari and Buddhist traditions, and has many monkeys. Compare them in Compare the Stupas.

Tourists can visit many of the 50 surrounding gompas. Popular choices include Shechen Monastery and Tamang Gompa. You can also take a short taxi ride to Kopan Monastery.

The golden spire on top of the dome features the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha on all four sides. They symbolize the omniscience of the Buddha.

Walking clockwise is known as kora. It is a traditional Buddhist practice of circumambulation. You must always keep the monument to your right as you walk.