Old Freak Street, Kathmandu

Old Freak Street is a small street located near Durbar Square. It was given the name Freak Street, as it was the center of the hippie trail of Kathmandu during the 1960s and 1970s.

The primary attraction to Freak Street during the 1960s was the government-run hashish shops. With few places offering legal hashish, the hippie trail brought visitors from all over the world. The area became filled with artists who added their flavor to the art and architecture of Kathmandu.

The Government of Nepal began to impose dress codes and regulations on tourists in the 1970s. They also banned the production and sale of hashish, which caused the hippie movement to disappear.

Today, Old Freak Street serves as a reminder of the Hippie Trail. Visitors will find shops and restaurants where the hashish stores used to be. They also have access to Kumari Ghar, the palace of the living goddess Kumari.