Destinations
Gaya district
Where enlightenment happened
UNESCO World Heritage site where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. The Mahabodhi Temple rises 55 metres above a town of monasteries built by a dozen Buddhist nations.
Nalanda district
The first great university
Red-brick ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara, which housed ten thousand students from the 5th to 12th century CE. Walk the excavated monasteries, then visit the modern museum and Xuanzang Memorial Hall.
Nalanda district
Hot springs and five hills
A valley ringed by five hills, with Brahmakund hot springs, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa reached by ropeway, and the new glass skywalk. Sacred to Buddhists and Jains; Bimbisara's ancient capital.
Patna district
Pataliputra, still alive
Bihar's capital on the Ganga — the beehive-shaped Golghar granary, the Bihar Museum's Didarganj Yakshi, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, and the excavated pillared hall of Mauryan Pataliputra at Kumhrar.
Vaishali district
The world's first republic
Birthplace of Mahavira and seat of the Licchavi republic. See the intact Ashokan lion pillar at Kolhua, the Buddha relic stupa, and the coronation tank Abhishek Pushkarini.
West Champaran district
Bihar's only tiger reserve
Sal forest and grassland in the Himalayan foothills where the Gandak enters India. Tigers, gaur, sloth bear and over 250 bird species. Jeep safaris run from Valmikinagar.