swayambhunath stupa: swayambhunath, a world heritage site is located on a small hillock about 4 kms west of kathmandu city offering fantastic view of kathmandu city. it is also known as monkey temple amongst its visitors. it is one of the most recognisable symbols in nepal and the golden spire of the 5th-century is adorned with a colourful fluttering of prayer flags. as per belief when the bodhisattva manjushri drained the waters of the lake to reveal the kathmandu valley, the lotus of the lake was transformed into the hillock and the blazing light became the swayambhunath stupa. literally swyambhu means self-created.  each morning hundreds of pilgrims spinning the prayer wheels climb the 360 steps that lead up to the stupa and begin circumambulations of the stupa. the eyes on all the four sides of stupa continuously watch those who climb the stone steps. above each pair of eyes is another eye, the third eye, signifying the wisdom of looking within. from here we get great view of kathmandu valley. there is also a road through which you can get down at almost the base of the stupa. during your climb, you can see small shops selling handicrafts. inside the complex, which houses the stupa, there are also many small temples.