Located in Durbarmarg, the heart of Kathmandu Narayanhiti Palace was once the residence of Nepal's Shah Kings. The former palace turned museum is an important part of Nepali history and provides insights into the lives of Nepal’s former royal family. The palace was named Narayanhiti after the temple of Narayan within the palace grounds and the pond also known as hiti situated opposite to it. Currently, the museum has been divided into three major complexes: Tribhuwan Sadan, Shree Sadan, and the main palace. The main palace was designed by architect Benjamin Polk in 1963 AD, completed in 1969 AD, and managed by a Nepali architect. As a result, it is a perfect blend of Western and Nepali architecture.

The palace’s main entrance known as the Gaurishankar gate is adorned with wood carvings, motifs, and designs that symbolize good luck. The gate now serves as the only way to enter the museum which used to be opened for special occasions and state visits during its glory days. The main complex has 52 rooms in total, each named after a district of Nepal, because King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah who commissioned it wanted to include all parts of the country within the palace walls. All the rooms within the palace complex have been tastefully decorated with items such as taxidermized animals, gilded mirros, venetian photo frames and easily identifiable artworks of the popular Nepali artist, Anil Chitrakar. The rooms in the main palace building were each used for a specific purpose or events and remains in the same condition to this day. Visiting Narayanhiti Palace Museum allows visitors to gain an insight into the lives of the former Nepali royal family, including their lifestyle, art collection, gifts from presidents and dignitaries from around the world. Apart from this, visitors can also take a close look at the King’s unique crown adorned with gems and feathers of the bird of paradise, queen’s tiara, and other valuables.

Tribhuwan Sadan situated right behind the main complex used to be the residence of the Late Crown Prince and the place where the royal massacre of 2001 took place. Visitors can see the marks of the gunshots fired at the former royal family while visiting. The tour concludes at Shree Sadan, the private residence of late King Birendra of Nepal and showcases his simple way of living. A tour to the palace museum is the perfect detour for those interested in Nepal’s history or those who simply want to see how the former Kings of Nepal lived.