Hanuman Dhoka is the old royal palace of Kathmandu, a complex of courtyards, towers, and temples at the centre of Durbar Square that was the residence of the Malla and later Shah kings until the 19th century. The name comes from the statue of Hanuman at the main gate, draped in a red cloth and umbrella. Several museums are housed in the palace, covering Nepalese royal history, coins, costumes, and the life of King Tribhuvan.
The Basantapur Tower offers the best panoramic view in the old city — nine storeys up, with views across Durbar Square's rooftops and, on clear days, toward the mountains. The palace complex sustained significant damage in the 2015 earthquake and restoration is ongoing; some sections remain closed. Entry includes a ticket that also covers several other monuments in Durbar Square.