Swayambhunath
Newar Buddhist builders · Kathmandu, Nepal
Swayambhunath occupies a hilltop above Kathmandu, combining a major stupa with shrines, courts and successive architectural additions. The ascent through stairs and gateways is part of the site's spatial experience. From the upper precinct, the close scale of ritual structures contrasts with wide views across the valley and city. Visiting: Foreign visitors pay an entry fee; the eastern stairway of 365 steps leads up to the stupa.