Freak Street (Jhochhen Tole)

Freak Street, or Jhochhen Tole, earned its English name from the ‘freakish’ appearance of the hippies who frequented the area during the 1960s and ’70s, a time when Kathmandu was a key stop on the ‘hippie trail.’ Located a short walk from Kathmandu Durbar Square, this historic street retains only a faint echo of its vibrant past. Today, visitors can still explore the narrow lanes and perhaps catch a glimpse of the countercultural history that once defined this iconic spot.