KATHMANDU

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If the legendary land of Shangri-la existed anywhere on earth, it would be in the Kathmandu Valley. Nestled against the awesome Himalayas, the valley is an enchanting world of verdant forests filled with wildlife terraced emerald fields temples decorated with erotic stone carvings and mystical symbols, and towns colored by the constant sights and sounds of religious festivals. At the heart of it all is Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, the home of the country's benevolent king - and of a living goddess, Kumari. The king and the goddess are lingering symbols of the official creed of religious and racial tolerance that has enabled the gentle people of Nepal to live in harmony and has made Kathmandu a magnet for others from around the world who come in search of spiritual fulfillment.

The Times Travel Library's Kathmandu paints an intimate portrait of this wondrous valley in more than 100 pages of dramatic photographs, stimulating prose, and informative features. Your journey to the Valley of Gods begins with a lively essay that captures its essence and a series of vignettes that focuses on some of its distinctive personalities, cultural quirks, art, history and more. The Back of the Book section is a comprehensive compendium of maps, walking and riding tours, trivia, best bets, offbeat attractions, suggestions and notes on essential travel information that will help you make the most of your trip to Kathmandu.

About the Author:

Dominic Sansoni was born in Sri Lanka where he runs a photo studio and agency in the capital of Colombo. However, his burgeoning reputation as one of the region's finest photographers has taken him around the world. His captivating images have been featured in Thailand - Seven Days in the Kingdom, as well as other books and numerous magazines.

Jim Goodman is an American who first journeyed to the Kathmandu Valley in 1977 and has lived there ever since. He settled in Bhaktapur, 13 Kilometers east of Kathmandu, in 1983, under a Bhaktapur Development Project contract to record the town's unrecorded folktales for posterity. Later, he revised and edited the Project's second handbook on restoration and town planning and produced the second edition of Bhaktapur, A Town Changing. Goodman is fluent in Newari, the main language of the Valley's indigenous people, and also produces vegetable-dyed cotton and woolen textiles. He's also the author of the Guide to Enjoying Nepalese Festivals.