Pottery Square, known locally as Kumale Tole, is one of the most tactile corners of Bhaktapur. Potters have worked here for generations, and in the open plaza you see rows of clay pots, lamps and small figurines drying in the sun, stacked around smoking kilns and tended by families who still set the wheel spinning with a stick. A guided visit takes you through the courtyard, explains the clay sources and firing process, and often ends with a chance to sit at a wheel and attempt a small bowl, under good-humored supervision. The square sits in the old town just a short walk from Bhaktapur Durbar Square, so it slots easily into a day that also covers Nyatapola temple and the medieval lanes.
Seeing the process makes the pots mean more. Clay is dug from nearby fields, kneaded, shaped on the wheel, dried and then fired in kilns fueled by straw and wood. Pieces range from simple water jars and lamps to decorated planters and animal figurines. Prices at the stalls are modest, and buying directly from a potter is a good way to support a craft that has faced competition from factory goods. Fragile items can be packed for travel if you ask.
A hands-on session is the highlight for many visitors. You sit on a low stool, wet your hands and try to lift a lump of clay into a form while the wheel turns. Most first attempts collapse or wobble, which is part of the fun, and the potters demonstrate with the ease of long practice. Wear clothes you do not mind splashing and expect to rinse your hands afterward. Children usually love it.
Combine the square with the rest of Bhaktapur on the same day. Many itineraries start at the Durbar Square in the morning, stop for juju dhau, the creamy local curd, then move through Taumadhi Square and Nyatapola before ending in the pottery quarter in the afternoon, when the light on the drying pots is warm.
Foreign visitors pay an entry fee to Bhaktapur, so keep your ticket with you. If you prefer a quieter experience, go on a weekday morning, and avoid festival days if you dislike crowds. Rain makes the kilns less active, so a dry day gives you the best view of the work.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walk through the potters' square with a demonstration and, on many tours, a turn at the wheel.
Best time
Dry mornings or afternoons, when pots are out drying and kilns are active.
How long
Two to three hours, longer if combined with the Durbar Square.
Tips
Wear clothes you do not mind getting wet, carry cash for pots and keep your Bhaktapur entry ticket handy.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and craft lovers who want something hands-on in the medieval town.
- Families
- Children love the wheel and the stacked pots, but watch for hot kilns and uneven ground.
- Couples
- A relaxed, photogenic stop with a pot or two to take home.
- Pair with
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapola and a bowl of juju dhau.
- Time needed
- Half a day with the town, or two hours alone.
Good questions
Can I try the pottery wheel?+
Many tours include it, usually with a potter guiding you. Check when you book.
Can I buy pots here?+
Yes, directly from the potters, at modest prices. Ask them to wrap fragile pieces.
Do I need a ticket for Bhaktapur?+
Foreign visitors pay an entry fee for the old town. Keep your ticket with you.
When are the kilns busiest?+
On dry days, when pots can be dried outside and fired. Rain slows the work.
How far is Bhaktapur from Kathmandu?+
About an hour by road, depending on traffic.
