Bhaktapur Nepal has reopened many of the heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley to the public yesterday, despite warnings over safety, trying to woo back tourists after April's devastating earthquake that left much of the country's cultural heritage in ruins. Among them was Kathm
Bhaktapur
Nepal has reopened many of the heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley to the public yesterday, despite warnings over safety, trying to woo back tourists after April's devastating earthquake that left much of the country’s cultural heritage in ruins.
Among them was Kathmandu's historic Durbar Square or "noble court", which was badly damaged.
Traditional dancers and musicians performed at a ceremony in the historic town of Bhaktapur, home to one of three former royal squares in the Kathmandu Valley that date back as far as the 12th century.
Hundreds of people gathered in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, whose historic Hindu temples, statues and opulent royal palaces drew tourists from around the world before the quake.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25 killed more than 8,700 people and levelled homes and monuments in the valley, home to the three former kingdoms of Patan, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.
All three former royal squares reopened yesterday, but the main ceremony was held in Bhaktapur, where Tourism Minister Kripasur Sherpa declared the Kathmandu Valley "open for tourism".
