The Garden of Dreams

The Garden of Dreams (Swapna Bagaicha) was the idyllic vision of Kaiser Sumsher Rana, a field marshal in the Royal Nepalese Army who ordered its creation on the grounds of his palatial home in 1920. Though the garden was severely neglected following his death in 1964, the exquisitely manicured landscapes and the surviving fountains, pergolas, and pavilions have since been restored to their former glory.

The four-acre Garden of Dreams in Kathmandu was designed by landscape architect Kishore Narshingh to mimic Edwardian-era English gardens. Most notably, the site was characterized by six pavilions, which symbolized the “six seasons” of Nepal: spring, early summer, the summer monsoon season, early autumn, late autumn, and winter. In its heyday, the garden was considered one of the most remarkable feats of landscape design in the country. 

Today, visitors will only find three pavilions on just over an acre of land, but the 74,000 square-foot space remains a verdant attraction thanks to a restoration project spearheaded by the Austrian government and Nepal Ministry of Education. Enter through the garden’s original gates to visit picturesque fountains and ponds, an amphitheater, isolated gardens of varying sizes, and the Kaiser Café Restaurant & Bar. Meandering pathways are lined with hedges, plants, trees, and flowers from all over the world, complemented by charming stone urns and intricate benches that offer contemplative vistas.

While the Garden of Dreams has been transformed into a public space, it remains a tranquil escape in the center of Kathmandu, and a popular hangout for sunbathers, wanderers, residents, and tourists alike.