Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex, built about 2500 years ago atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. However, Shing.kun may be a corruption of the local Newari name for the complex, Singgu, meaning 'self-sprung'. For the Buddhist Newars in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice, Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it second only to Boudhanath.
According to ancient relics found on site, this stupa is one of the first Buddhist religious site, it remains today an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhist believers but also Hindus.

The stupas are built according to several Buddhist symbols, the base represents the world, the eyes of the stupa represents compassion and wisdom. The states of life, reincarnation to Nirvana, we find all these items in the Swayambhunath Stupa. As for aesthetics, the prayer flags of all colors and gilding gold Swayambhu is breathtaking experience.

Central point for a panoramic view of Kathmandu, the entire valley lies beneath your eyes for the delight of all. Many monkeys live on this hill, fed by both tourists and temples/stupas offerings. Monkeys are sacred, considered as the reincarnation of Hanuman, no monkey can be chased from their living places.