Gorkha holds a special place in Nepal's heart as the birthplace of its modern history. It is etched in lore as the place where the legendary King Prithvi Narayan Shah rallied his troops in the 18th century and led them valiantly to conquer the entire Kathmandu Valley, thereby unifying the country into one kingdom. The land has been kept largely undisturbed, and it still functions as an important pilgrimage destination especially for the Newari who believe that the Shah and his descendants are in fact the god Vishnu's reincarnations.
Of course, there is no doubt that the highlight of any visit to Gorkha is the palace where Prithvi Narayan Shah was born - the Gorkha Durbar. Only an hour's hike from the downtown Gorkha, over a fortified hillock, it sits at a height of 3,500 feet, offering a bird's eye view of the former kingdom and the famed Himalayan Mountains. Visitors will find the palace almost exactly as it was when first built, largely due to excellent preservation and restoration. It features a distinct Newari-style architecture, with latticed windows, exquisite woodwork and detailed carvings.
The only downside to visiting Gorkha Durbar is that visitors are usually not allowed to enter the palace proper, particularly the second floor. However, one could pretty much see everything inside by peering through the windows. In fact, one can make out the throne upon which Prithvi Narayan Shah once sat, and even the so-called "eternal flame" lit by the king himself after unifying Nepal, which has actually been burning continuously for decades. There are lots of things to see outside, too, such as a temple dedicated to the goddess Gorakhkali, and a nearby cave which houses a statue of the Tantric sage Gorakhnath.
One can also decide to visit Gorkha's other attraction, the Manakamana Temple. A prime pilgrimage spot for many Hindu devotees, it is a monument made in honor of the goddess of aspirations who, they believe, will fulfill all their wishes. Nestled on a scenic ridge reached only by cable car from the capital Kathmandu, it attracts thousands of visitors daily, especially during festivals. Tourists in Gorkha can also head to Mount Manaslu, reputed to be the eighth highest peak on the planet.