Kathmandu, January 19:

The UNESCO today published Cultural Portrait Handbooks to support an integrated approach to tourism promotion within the Kathmandu Valley.

The Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Swoyambhu, Pashupati and the Changu Narayan figure in the handbooks.

The handbooks include photographs, maps and informative texts concerning the varied architecture, craftsmanship, festivals and ways of life of the valley’s inhabitants, a press release issued here today stated.

“The handbooks highlight for both local and international visitors, the heritages sites of the Kathmandu valley and importance of preservation,” the release stated.

The release said the initiative is designed to promote world heritage sites among different groups of people involved in their preservation through various channels of communication.

The National Federation of UNESCO Association in Japan has funded the initiative.