Garden of Dreams, Kathmandu (must see)

The Garden of Dreams, located in Kaiser Mahal, Kathmandu, is a historic garden and architectural landmark first established in 1920. It was built for Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana and spans nearly 7,000 square meters. The garden was designed in a Neoclassical style reminiscent of the Edwardian gardens popular in England during the reign of King Edward VII.

Historically known as the Garden of Six Seasons, it originally reflected this name through six pavilions, each dedicated to a different season in Nepal. While only three of these pavilions survive today, they are complemented by an amphitheater and various decorative elements, such as fountains, sunken flower gardens with central ponds, pergolas, and urns.

One of the three pavilions serves as the primary architectural centerpiece of these grounds – the grand Summer Pavilion. Walk along the main elevated gravel pathway to the center of the garden to stand before this imposing, multi-story white neoclassical veranda supported by towering Ionic columns. The opulent structure houses the Kaiser Café and features intricate balustrades, double-height ceilings, and marble flooring meant to emulate the absolute height of early 20th-century European high-society luxury.

The architectural features of the gardens suggest influences from European pattern books, beautifully adapted with local nuances. A good example of European water symmetry integrated into the landscape is the lotus pond. Look down from the steps of the grand white veranda to locate a crisp rectangular reflecting pool cutting across the lower central axis of the lawns. This water feature is adorned with blooming water lilies and flanked by two matching three-tiered fountains.

Despite its initial grandeur and sophistication, which made it one of the most prestigious private gardens of its time, the Garden of Dreams fell into deep neglect after the death of Kaiser Sumsher in 1964. Eventually, the garden was saved from complete demolition in 1998 and it was reopened under its current name.