The Kathmandu Durbar Square is a significant heritage site in Kathmandu for its locals as well as tourists. The historical palaces, the temples of one of the significant deity, the Goddess Taleju Temple as well as the live incarnation of goddess Taleju, the living goddess Kumari. However, the earthquake of April 25, 2015 devastated much of it, and all there is left is the ruins. So why would anyone pay Nrs 1000 ( equivalent to USD 9.00 as of 28 April 2019) just to see the ruins.
Although the reconstruction work is going on, still I have personally found a lot of tourist being cheated with the pricing. Firstly, it is a pretty small area to charge that much. The charge of Ankor Wat I fully justified as it takes a minimum of 3 days to visit all the sites. But here in Kathmandu Durbar Square, some of the tourist just take mere 30 mins or even less.
Moreover, much of the attractions are restricted. A significant portion of the old palace is occupied by Nepal Army, hence, tourists as well as Nepalese also can’t visit certain sites, including the Narayan temple ( replica of Budhanilkantha) inside the palace gardens. Another big attraction , the Goddess Taleju Temple, is only opened once a year and also only hindus are allowed in that day too.
Similarly, the House of the Living Goddess Kumari, the incarnation of Goddess Taleju herself, boasts a lot of tourist, still a lot of tourist do not know that they can get a chance to glance on the goddess. A lot of tourist just click some pictures inside the Kumari house courtyard and leave. Even though tourist can look at the goddess, taking picture of the goddess is strictly prohibited, however, Nepalese can go upstairs and meet the goddess and ask for blessings during certain times.
Apart from that, there is the statue of Kaal Bhairab, and that too, tourist are not allowed to touch. And the Museum inside the old palace, which is only partially opened due to the earthquake, hence, a significant portion of the palace is closed, limiting the tourist experiences.
In the end, I do acknowledge, some people saying that USD 9 is not much to visit such a historic site, but I have been to some really nice historic sites of other Asian countries like India, Thailand and Cambodia, and if we are to compete with them, we gotta reduce the prices, as more I got to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the more I hear grievances from Tourists.
Note*: These are my personal opinion after interacting with the tourists in there. Other people may have a completely different opinion and I respect that.
Note**: The reconstruction work is done by foreign NGOS, like USAID, China-Aid and JICA, so none of the money is used on reconstruction as far as I know.