Garden of Dreams: Your Guide to Kathmandu's Tranquil Retreat - Nepal Purple Travel Guide

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Garden of Dreams in Nepali is Swapna Bagaicha. It is often described as tranquil oasis amidst the vibrant chaos of Kathmandu – and there is some truth to it.
The garden is located across the street from the Royal Palace, and consists of 74,220 sq ft (6895 m2) of gardens with three pavilions, an amphitheater, ponds, and pergolas.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we typically promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.

History of the Garden of Dreams

The garden was commissioned and meticulously designed by Field Marshal Sir Kaiser Sumsher Rana in 1920, who was passionate admirer of European architecture and landscaping. He envisioned a private retreat for him, his family, and his guests that mirrored the grand gardens he had encountered abroad. The garden's design was inspired by the Edwardian style, and was considered one of the most sophisticated private gardens of that time. It incorporated six pavilions, each representing the six seasons of Nepal, along with fountains, ponds, pergolas, and an impressive collection of flora. Fittingly, the name of the garden at that time was Garden of Six Seasons.
After Kaiser Sumsher’s death, the government of Nepal took over the garden, and unfortunately let it fall into disrepair.

There were even plans in 1998 to demolish the garden and replace it with a commercial center. Luckily, this plan was stopped and the garden opened to the public under the new name: The Garden of Dreams.
With the support of the Austrian Government, the Garden of Dreams was lovingly brought back to its former glory and opened to the public in 2007.

What you can see in the Garden of Dreams:

• Neo-Classical Architecture: elegant pavilions, designed with European architectural influences, providing shaded seating areas and picturesque backdrops.

• Six Seasonal Pavilions: symbolic representation of Nepal's six seasons through distinct architectural styles and landscaping within each pavilion area.

• Tranquil Water Features: Relax by the ponds and fountains, and enjoy their gentle sounds adding to the garden's peaceful ambiance.

• Lush Greenery: well-maintained lawns, flowerbeds, and diverse trees.

• Amphitheater: Occasionally hosts cultural performances and events.

• Kaiser Café: the only source of food in the Garden of Dreams – you are not allowed to bring food from the outside.

Admission

At the time of writing:

• Admission is Rs400 per person for foreigners

• Opening times are from 9am to 9pm

Is it worth visiting the Garden of Dreams?

The Garden of Dreams is not a must-see attraction in Kathmandu. If you have enough time and want to relax somewhere instead of going to a café or your hotel, then it is definitely a good place to visit.

Back to your self-guided tour

Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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