IndraChowk marks the start of the old market quarter of the city. It’s devoted to cloth and carpet merchants, colourful pashiminas and raris (traditional Nepali felt rugs) though as you head through the narrow street, you’ll find brass merchants, basket sellers and more. The Bead Bazaar is where you’ll find strands and strands of shiny imported beads ready to be strung to your specification. Bhaktapur, Nepal’s woodcarving capital produces beautifully carved windows and is also a great place to pick up Thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist paintings)

Indian, Chinese and Tibetan flavors can easily be detected in Nepalese meals although Nepal's cuisine maintains its own flare. Tibetan dumplings (momo) and dal bhat (lentil soup and rice) are staples. But for the full works, you’ve got to try a traditional 13-course Nepalese feast at Krishnapan at the heritage hotel, Dwarika.

And if you fancy a local tipple, have a swig of Thon (Newari) or Chhyang (Tibetan), the milky white beer/liquor made from fermented rice. Tongba is popular liquor in the hills, made by pouring hot water into a pot of fermented millet and drunk with a bamboo straw.