[Photo from tourismkathmandu.com]

In close proximity with Thamel, the Garden of Dreams is part of the Kaiser Mahal, a palace built in 1895 by the then Prime Minister Bir SJB Rana.

It was later inherited by his son Chandra SJB Rana who went on to create the landscaped garden. He eventually presented the remarkable garden to his son Kaiser SJB Rana as a wedding gift. A learned man with great aesthetic sense, Kaiser Shumsher turned the garden into a work of art. It included a fabulous lawn, wooded area where birds roosted, flower gardens and a pond for ducks.

Within the Garden wall, Kaiser Shumsher created an exquisite ensemble of pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furniture, and added European features such as verandas, pergolas, balustrades, urns, and birdhouses. He erected six impressive freestanding pavilions, each dedicated to one of the six seasons of Nepal namely- Basanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Barkha (monsoon), Sharad (early autumn), Hemanta (late autumn) and Shishir (winter). However, after the death of Kaiser Shumsher in 1965, his family bequeathed some portion of the Kaiser Mahal including his garden and Kaiser Library to the government. After years of neglect the garden was in ruins. However, recently it was renovated and restored to its former glory.

Today it is open to the public with a restaurant and bar to raise money for its upkeep.

One can Enjoy the pictures of the original garden of dreams which housed six pavillions or get some privacy in the hidden nooks and crannies of this pictorial paradise.

Kaiser Cafe:

Within the premise of the Garden of Dreams, Kaiser Cafe - an international standard coffee shop and restaurant operates under the management of the famous Dwarika's Hotel. Visitors can enjoy international quality food as per their choice at the cafe inside the Garden.