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Doctor Strange Filming Locations in Nepal

Marvel’s latest offering, Doctor Strange, is a mind-bending film filled with fantastic visual effects. Partially filmed on location in Nepal, scenes in the film showcase the incredible architecture, spirituality and vibrancy of Kathmandu.

If you’ve been entranced by the film and want to know where you can visit some of the outstanding scenery in Nepal, here’s our guide to the filming locations of Doctor Strange.

See our trips to Nepal here

Swayambhunath

Also known as the Monkey Temple, this Buddhist temple sits on a hill high above Kathmandu. Monkeys clamber over the ancient carvings, showing both Buddhist and Hindu iconography. A golden spire, which is painted with the eyes of Buddha, sits on top of the temple’s round white stupa. Every morning and evening locals come to pray by walking around the stupa, spinning prayer wheels as they circle it. The site has been an important spot for Buddhist pilgrimage since 5 AD but its origins date from much earlier. This is a fantastic place to watch the sun go down over Kathmandu.

Durbar Square

Durbar Square was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake, but building work has seen some of the iconic buildings be rebuilt, with scaffolding supporting many others. 'Durbar' means palace and coronations would often be held in this square. The ancient temples and palaces here date between the 12th and 18th centuries. The square is filled with people going about their daily lives, selling their wares and worshipping at shrines.

Pashupatinath Temple

Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is considered to be one of the most important temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Hundreds of Hindus make a pilgrimage here every year to have their last rites read as it is believed that those who die here will be reborn as a human, regardless of their actions in life. Open air cremations on the funeral ghats alongside the river are common. Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temples.

Streets of Thamel

Thamel is a popular district of Kathmandu filled with restaurants, cafes and bars. To the uninitiated it can look like a mass of unorganised streets but the best way to get around really is to walk and take it all in your stride. Stalls here will sell everything you might need, but as a main tourist area the prices are higher. There are many trekking outlets to make any last-minute purchases before you head to the Himalayas.