Sightseeing · Bhaktapur
The 55-Window Palace
Bhaktapur's royal palace — a row of 55 carved windows beside the gilded Golden Gate.
- Address
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur 44800
The 55-Window Palace — Pachpanna Jhyale Durbar in Newari — is the former royal seat of Bhaktapur's Malla kings and the architectural showpiece of Durbar Square. Its name comes from the long upper balcony lined with 55 carved wooden windows, a single sweep of dark, intricate woodwork that ranks among the great achievements of Newar craftsmanship.
What to see
The palace's defining feature is that row of 55 windows, each framed and filled with detailed lattice and figure carving. Beside it stands the Golden Gate (Sun Dhoka), a gilded copper doorway topped by an image of the goddess Taleju and rich with deities and mythical creatures — often called the finest single piece of art in the valley. Step through and you reach the inner palace courtyards, including the sacred Taleju complex (parts restricted) and quiet brick yards. The palace also houses Bhaktapur's National Art Gallery, with paubha paintings and manuscripts.
History
Bhaktapur was an independent kingdom during the Malla era, and its kings filled the capital with temples and palaces. The 55-Window Palace and the Golden Gate are closely tied to King Bhupatindra Malla (reigned around 1696–1722), a noted patron whose seated statue gazes over the square from a stone column nearby. The 1934 and 2015 earthquakes damaged parts of the complex, and conservation work has repaired and stabilised the surviving structures while keeping the carved balcony as the square's centrepiece.
How to visit
The palace fronts onto Bhaktapur Durbar Square, inside the heritage zone — so you pay the foreigner entry fee at the city gates to reach it. There is no separate charge to view the window balcony and Golden Gate from the square; the National Art Gallery may charge a small museum fee. Allow 30–45 minutes here as part of a wider square-by-square walk.
Tips
- Look closely at the windows — each panel differs, and the craftsmanship rewards a slow look from across the square.
- Photograph the Golden Gate in morning light, when the gilding glows.
- Dress modestly if entering the palace courtyards, and respect any areas marked for worshippers only.
- Continue on foot to nearby Taumadhi Square and the Nyatapola Temple, just two minutes away.
For a complete route, see the top things to do in Bhaktapur. The palace is part of a UNESCO World Heritage monument zone.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 55-Window Palace in Bhaktapur?+
The 55-Window Palace, or Pachpanna Jhyale Durbar, is the former royal palace of the Bhaktapur Malla kings in Durbar Square. Its upper storey carries a long balcony of 55 elaborately carved wooden windows, making it one of the finest examples of Newar woodcraft in the Kathmandu Valley.
Who built the 55-Window Palace?+
The palace is associated with King Bhupatindra Malla, who ruled Bhaktapur in the late 17th and early 18th centuries and was a great patron of art and architecture. The famous window balcony dates from his reign.
What is the Golden Gate in Bhaktapur?+
The Golden Gate, or Sun Dhoka, is a gilded copper doorway next to the 55-Window Palace. Crowned by a figure of the goddess Taleju, it is the ornate ceremonial entrance to the inner palace courtyards and one of Nepal's most admired pieces of metalwork.
Can you go inside the 55-Window Palace?+
The Golden Gate leads into palace courtyards such as the Taleju complex, parts of which are restricted to Hindus or used for ritual. Visitors can admire the window balcony and gate from the square and explore the accessible courtyards and the National Art Gallery housed in the palace.
Where is the 55-Window Palace?+
It stands in Bhaktapur Durbar Square in the heart of the old town. You reach it after entering the heritage zone and paying the foreigner entry fee at one of the city gates.
