One of the finest museums on the subcontinent, The Patan Museum, houses its timeless pieces of artifacts in the renovated main Palace complex. The main feature of the museum is an outstanding collection of cast bronze and gilt copper work, mostly of Hindu and Buddhist deities. Three galleries are devoted to Hinduism, and two to Buddhism. Another gallery shows the stages involved in the production of hammered sheet metal relief designs (known as repousse) and the ‘lost wax’ method of casting. In another there are also some fascinating photos of Patan at the turn of the 20th century.

This is, on several counts, the most famous and unique Buddhist monastery (Bahas) of Patan. It has by far the largest and most active Sangh (associations) of any baha in the valley in the valley. Legends date the baha to 12th century, although the earliest its record points its existence to 1409. The entrance to this temple is guarded by two large stone lions and one passes though the stone fa?ade and entryway into a narrow corridor leading into the baha complex .About half way to the baha is another stone fa?ade with a series of Tantric deities set into the archway. To the side of these are images of Amitabh Buddha and Amoghasiddhi, and two images of Manjushree below them. Upon the first sight, one immediately understands the literal sense behind the naming of the temple as The Golden Temple. The front portion of the temple shines through the centuries of gold offerings painted to the main complex by the devotees. Beside that, there are numerous gilded images including the temple in the centre of the courtyard have been finished in gilt copper repousse work.

Also known as Uku Bahal, this Buddhist monastery near the Mahabouddha temple is one of the best known monasteries in Patan. A large rectangular structure with two story gilded roofs encloses a courtyard absolutely packed with interesting bits and pieces. There are dorjes, bells, banners, peacocks, elephants, Garudas, rampant goats, kneeling devis and a regal-looking statue of a Rana General. The lions are particularly curious- apart from regular Nepali ones, are seated on pillars with one paw raised in salute with a decidedly British appearance , looking as if they should be guarding a statue of Queen Victoria in her ‘not amused’ incarnation rather than a colorful Nepali monastery. On the right of courtyard there are fine wooden carved struts. They are said to be among the oldest of this type in the valley. And prior to restoration they were actually behind the monastery, but were moved to this safer location inside the courtyard. The monastery in its present form probably dates from the 19th century, but certain features and the actual site are much older.

According to legend Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor of India visited Nepal with his daughter, Charumati in 250 B.C and built four stupas at the four corners of Patan. The four stupas are situated in Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ebahi and in Teta (way to Sano Gaon) respectively. These stupas give evidence to the city's ancient religious importance. The Shakyas worship the stupa on the first day of dark Shrawan (July/August) and the full moon of Ashwin (September/October).

The Buddhist monastery known as Vihara, Bahal, or Bahi is usually a two-storied courtyard style building and integrated into the surrounding architecture. The community of monks and nuns in these monasteries are known as sanghs. The origin of most of these monasteries and associated sanghs can be traced back to the Licchavi period (2nd to 5th century AD) and are at least 200 years old. Every bahal or bahi has a Kwapa-dya, the main, non-tantric image in the ground floor shrine usually situated opposite the main entrance. These courtyards also have at least one chaitya and a mandala.
Patan is the most Buddhist of the three cities in the valley with almost 200 large and small monasteries scattered around the city. At present, there are 18 main bahals with numerous branches and 25 bahis. For more details on the bahals and bahis, please refer to the book, Buddhist Monasteries of Nepal by John Locke available at most leading book stores.

This camp was established in 1960 under the initiative of the International Red Cross and the Swiss Development Corporation (SDC), in cooperation with His Majesty's Government of Nepal. Its main objective is to help the Tibetan refugees to be productive and support themselves. One of the most popular items here are the beautiful handmade Tibetan Carpets.