Bhutan Tours

Places of Interest in Bhutan

The beautiful valley which encapsulates within itself rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. Located in western Bhutan, the Paro valley is indeed enchanting; it is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples, country's only airport and the National Museum.

Drukgyal Dzong: this dzong with a delightful village nestling at its foot, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders led by Mongoloid Warlord, Gurshi Khan in 1644. Historically and strategically this dzong withstood all its glory and had captured western eyes in 1914 vide National Geographic magazine. The glory of Drukgyal Dzong remained even when it was destroyed by fire in 195 1, since then the dzong has been in ruins. On a clear day one can see the commanding view of Mount. Chomolhari (23,997 ft.) from the village below the dzong.

Rinpung Dzong: meaning "fortress of the heap of Jewels", this dzong was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong now houses the Paro monastic body and the office of the civil administration of Paro valley. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year during springtime. The walk to the dzong through traditional bridge is really interesting.

Ta Dzong: built in 1651 and located behind Rinpung Dzong on the hillside, is the castle shaped Ta Dzong, one time used as watch tower to defend the dzong. Since 1967 the dzong was re-established as the only National Museum and it has fascinating collection of arts, relics and religious thangkha paintings.

Farmhouse: the visit to a FarmHouse is very interesting to get an idea how Bhutanese people live. The Farmhouses are very decorative, built and painted in classical style. The houses are normally three stories; ground floor used for cattle, top floor is used for drying hay and the family lives in middle one.

Kyichu Lhakhang: consists of twin temples, the first one built by the Buddhist Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo, in the seventh century which put the Paro valley on Buddhist map. I n 1968, H. M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, arranged for a second temple to be built alongside the first one, in same style. It is one of the most sacred place for local people.   

The capital of Bhutan, and the center of government, religion and commerce, it is unique city, with an unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient tradition.

Tashichhodzong: built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1961, by the Late King, His Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Tashichhodzong (fortress of the glorious religion) houses the main secretariat building, throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. During the warmer summer months the monk body headed by His holiness, the Je Khenpo, makes its home in the dzong.

Simtokha Dozng: five miles from Thimphu on a lofty ridge stands the Simtokha Dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is one of the oldest fortresses of the Kingdom and now houses School for Buddhist studies.

Memorial Chorten: the gold topped stupa built in 1974 in memory of Bhutan's third King, His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The painting and images inside the monument provide a rare insight into Buddhist philosophy.

National Library: the history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousand of manuscripts and ancient texts the library also has modem academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.

Indigenous Hospital (Traditional Medicine Institute): in Bhutan equal emphasis is given to both allopathic and traditional medicines. The rich herbal medicines abundant in Kingdom are prepared here. The hospital also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners.

Handicrafts Emporiums: there are attractive Handicrafts Emporiums in town. Exotic weaves in wool, silk and cotton, beautiful basketwork, silver jewelry, thangkha and other crafts of the Kingdom are readily available in Thimphu town's emporiums.

Painting School: this school teaches the techniques of traditional paintings. On a visit, one can see students at work producing intricate designs on cloth.

Local Market (Weekend Market): every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu's scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of Thimphu river where the weekend market is held. It is an interesting place to visit, which provides opportunity to mingle with local people. A temperate climate and natural drainage from Po Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, the fertile Punakha valley produces abundant crops and fruits. Punkaha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of Je Khenpo (the chief abbot). There is splendid view of the distant Himalayas at the Dochula pass (10,500 feet) on Thimphu - Punakha road.

Punakha Dzong: Built strategically at the junction of two rivers in the 17th century by first Shabdrung to serve as the religious and administrative center. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and a devastating earthquake the dzong has been fully restored by the present King. In 1993 the largest THONGDROEL, that has ever been created was dedicated to the dzong and people of Punakha valley by His Majesty King Jigrne Singye Wangchuck and Je Khenpo at a three day consecration which brought together Bhutan's highest nobility. The dzong is open for visitors during Punakha festival and in summer months when the monk body moves to Thimphu.

Wangdiphodrang : The last town on the central highway before central Bhutan, Wangdiphodrang is like an enlarged village with a few well provided shops. Located towards the south of Punakha, the higher reaches of the Wangdiphodrang valley provide rich pastureland for cattle. This district is also famous for its fine bamboo work and its slate and stone carvings.

Wangdiphodrang Dzong: sitting on top of the hill looking out over the junction of the two rivers, this dzong is town's most visible features. Towards the east of Wangdiphodrang there is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. This is the winter home of black - necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate.  

In the Far East of Bhutan, on the bank of Gamri Chu River, lies Tashigang, the country's largest district. Tashigang, once the center of a busy trade with Tibet, is today the junction of the east west highway with road connecting to Samdrup Jongkhar and then to the Indian state of Assam. This town is also used as the market place for the hill people from Merak and Sakteng who are remarkable for their exceptional features and costumes. Tashigang dzong was built in 1659 and commands a spectacular view. A few kilometers north of Tashigang, Tashiyangtse dzong is a half-hour walk from the road. The monk body leaves the monastery during the winter for warmer surroundings. A town has been developed around Chorten Kora, one of only two temples built in a style prevalent in Nepal and the spot where Guru Rimpoche is believed to have had a vision that a temple and chorten would be built.

Mongar : The journey to Mongar from Bumthang is one of the most beautiful in all the Himalayas. Rising out of Ura village, the highway climbs steeply to the highest pass (3,800 m) along the west to east highway at Thrumsingla. The second largest town in the subtropical east Mongar, like Tashigang further east, is situated on the side of a hill instead of next to the river on the valley floor like other towns in the Kingdom. Mongar dzong is modern compared to others in the Kingdom, built in 1953 on the order of third King, His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Nestled in the barley fields and apple groves, Bumthang has an individuality that charms its visitors and separate it from other regions. Comprising of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual regions of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Bumthang is also the traditional home to the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa to whose descendants the present dynasty traces its ancestry. Visitors to Bumthang should plan to spend few days taking advantage of the valley's relatively gentle slopes to hike to nearby medieval temple and glimpse Bhutain's mostly rural population.

Jambay Lhakhang: built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gembo, incarnation of Buddha of compassion, in the 7th century, it is among 108 monasteries built by him to subdue the evil spirit in the Himalayan region.

Kurje Lhakhang: one of the most sacred place in the Kingdom, it consists of three temples. The first one being the oldest of year 1652, on the rock face where Guru Rimpoche meditated in the 8th century. The second temple is the holiest because this is the site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of Guru Rimpoche's body. The Present Queen Mother of Bhutan built the third temple on this holy place. A 108-chorten wall surrounds the three temples, which is the symbol to dedicate it to each joint of human body.

Tamshing Lhakhang: located opposite Kurje Lhakhang on the other side of the river, it was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. The monastery has very interesting religious paintings inside such as thousand Buddha's and twenty-one Taras (female form of Buddhisatawa). The temple was later restored at the end of the 19th century.

Jakar Dzong: founded by great grand father of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was initially built as monastery in 1549. The monastery was later rebuilt as dzong during the time of Shabdrung after he had firmly established his power in 1646. The dzong is now used as administrative center for Bumthang valley. The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular. Also this place is Royal family's ancestral home. The town vistas are traditional in appreance as the wooden slatted house line up together on the side of the hill. His Majesty, King Ugyen Wangchuck, the Penlop of Tongsa, (Penlop = honorary post of governer) who was elected as the country's first hereditary monarch, and his successor, King Jigme Wangchuck, ruled the country from ancient Tongsa Dzong. The crowned Price of Bhutan normally holds the position of Tongsa Penlop prior to ascending the throne.

Tongsa Dzong: built in 1648, it is ancestral home of Bhutan's Royal family. The dzong itself is a labyrinth of temples; corridors and offices holding court over the local community. It is built on many levels into the side of hill and can be seen from every approach to Tongsa heralding its strength as a defensive stronghold.

Ta Dzong: situated above the Tongsa Dzong, Ta Dzong (watchtower) used to administer its defense. The road from Tashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar was completed in the early 1960s and enables the eastern half of the country to access and benefit from trade with the south as well as to cross the Indian border. There is little for travelers to see in this area but it is used more as convenient exit town. This town is no more than frontier post with couple of descent hotels, restaurant and shops.

Phuntsholing : The gateway town to the south of Bhutan, it is a thriving commercial center on the northern edge of the Indian plains. From here, heading northwards, the road twists and turns up into the Himalayan foothills, passing through lush forested and scattered villages, at altitude upto 8,000 ft reaching to valleys of Thimphu and Paro

Kharbandi Gompa : founded in 1967 by Royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choegron, the monastry stands above the plains of Bengal like a sentinel, on the last hillock, at an altitude of 400 meters. From the monastery garden there is a fascinating view over the plain and the town of Phuntsholing.