Trip Planner: Asia / Nepal / Central Region / Bagmati Zone / Kathmandu Valley / Kathmandu / Kaiser Library

Kaiser Library, Kathmandu

3.7

#518 of 787 in Things to do in Kathmandu

The palace of Kaiser Mahal, built in the late 19th century, is a unique public building in the centre of Kathmandu. It is an expansive palace built in the high Rana style architecture, preserved in its entirety - the garden around, the building and the interior, with its decoration, furnishing, book collection and artwork. Donated to the government by the the family of its creator the late Field Marshal Kaiser Shumsher Rana, the son of late Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Rana, the property has been used as a public library, the Garden of Dreams and government administration building under the Ministry of Education since then.

Following the earthquake of April 2015, the building has been declared unsafe for use. The offices it housed have found a home elsewhere, but the historical collection of books and rare manuscripts were left behind, in urgent need of protection.

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Kaiser Library Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

37 reviews

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4.1

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3.5

238 likes

By YNNYN On November 22, 2017

Alas the earthquake has also affected this beautiful building and the remaining rooms are just a hollow shadow of the previously glorious library. It is free to visit and one should go there, maybe th... more »
By Andreas M On November 1, 2017

Most have been a great place to visit. The 2015 earthquake hit the building hard. Now ground floor only open. Fred of charge. Very few books cramped in small space. Some nice old books though. Spent a... more »
By VikingKrishna On October 3, 2017

A former palace, now a library based on the collection of General Kaiser SJB Rana, son of the earlier Maharajah. Houses some old books and manuskripts but much must have been lost over time due to the... more »

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By Phu Nguyen On April 3, 2018

The best collection of western books in South Asia. Most important : it open for everyone.

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By David Diyali On April 3, 2018

I like the collection of its and typically beautiful place in heart of Kathmandu

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By Hanshi.Nancy Wu On October 24, 2017

Historic public library with a sense of peace and calm. Improvements can be done for better environment for the books.

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By Bijayaraj Ghimire On January 19, 2018

The library established by Keshar Shumsher and now runs by Federal Ministry of Education.

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By Kshitij Thapa On July 28, 2017

Very messy these days. No updated books and people leave the books everywhere. If I read some book today, there's no guarantee that I'll find it the same place tomorrow. That seriously sucks. The librarians needs to inform people that they have to keep the books back at the same place they took it from. And please please get some new best sellers, and new books.

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