Nepal UNESCO sites

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake on April 25 resulted in the deaths of more than 8,000 people in Nepal, India and China and in heavy damage to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal. While still damaged, a number of the sites reopened in June, including the Durbar squares in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the stupas at Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and the temples at Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan. 

UNESCO issued a statement advising visitors to be extra-cautious at the sites. Signs will direct visitors around unstable areas. Nepal’s Department of Archaeology has estimated it will take at least $117 million to rebuild damaged monuments.

Aftershocks continue to occur, and hundreds of thousands of Nepalese citizens are still unable to return to their homes due to damage from the earthquakes and threats of landslides.  

The Kathmandu airport is operational, as are most roads and communication lines in Nepal. The Nepal Tourism Board is encouraging tourism, which is a primary source of income.