November 2: The number of foreign tourists visiting Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a place of historical, archeological and religious value in the capital, is increasing of late.    
The historical place enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site received 10,594 tourists from outside the SAARC region in mid-September to mid-October this year while those from SAARC region stand at 3,178 during the same period, according to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City's Hanuman Dhoka Conservation Programme.    
During mid-August to mid-September, 3,610 foreign tourists from outside the SAARC region had arrived at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square while the number of visitors from SAARC region was 1,893.    
Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square attracted 2,864 foreign tourists from outside the SAARC region during mid-July to mid-August while 1,399 tourists from SAARC region visited the site which features the famed nine-storey palace, monuments, open air museum, courtyards and quadrangles, temples and open public spaces among others built during the 15th to 20th century.    
The influx of foreign tourists has been increasing satisfactorily post COVID-19 pandemic, according to Programme Chief Roshan Shakya.    
The programme covers historical monuments in KMC's ward no 19, 20, 23 and 24. Foreign tourists from outside the SAARC region have to pay Rs 1,000 as entry fee to this area while Rs 150 is charged with tourists from SAARC region. -- RSS