Tourist Places Bhutan - Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Paro, Bhumthang Valley, Tashigang, Wangdiphodrang

In an open valley the capital of Bhutan kingdom is a beautiful, clean, small town surrounded by high mountains with the Thimphu Chu flowing to its E. The built up area extending for about 3km, is mostly of traditional houses and a population of 20,000. The core area. Entering the town from Paro or Phuntsholing, the Nordzin Lam starts where a petrol station is seen. W of the petarol station stands the National Memorial Chhorten.

Tashichhodzong

meaning "fortress of the glorious religion", this fortress was initially erected in the year of 1641 and later in 1965 the Third King rebuilt it into the present form. The fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations and also headquarters for monastic body of Bhutan . Bhutan 's spiritual leader and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in the fall season.

National Library

The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts that are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.

Weekend market

if you are in Thimphu during weekends than you should not miss a visit to the weekend market. Vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday night. It's an interesting place to visit, where village people bring their products of vegetables, foodstuffs and handicrafts to sell. At the northern end of the market is a collection of stalls called the indigenous goods and handicrafts section. Here you will find locally produced goods, including religious objects, baskets, fabrics and different hats from various minority groups.

Phajoding Temple

A saint known as Shacha Rinchen built the temple in 15th century and is located at an altitude of 12,138 feet, overlooking the Thimphu Valley . Surrounding the temple are many retreat houses for the people who come here and spent about 3 years in retreat. The hike is uphill north of Thimphu through mixed conifer forest with great views of Thimphu valley behind.

Phuentsholing

A typical border town; the Indian side in West Bengal state is called Jaigaon. Most of the hotels, restaurants, shops and offices are located in Phuntsholing, all at walking distance from each other. Most tourists entering Bhutan over land enter at the border town of Phuentsholing, from the neighboring Indian town of Jaigaon. The change in the degree of cleanliness and organization as you cross the border is incredibly noticeable.

Places you can see are Kharbandi Gompa, built in 1967 by the Royal Grandmother, the monastery contains paintings on the life of Buddha and statues of Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpochey. The view from the monastery garden towards the Phuntsholing and surrounding Indian plains are superb.

Zangdo Pelri Temple

This holy place is located in the center of Phuntsholing town, represents the abode of Guru Rinpochey. On the ground level there are statues of Guru and his eight Manifestations. And the wall is covered with paintings of Buddha's life. On the second floor it contains of eight Bodhisattavas and statues of Avalokiteshwara and Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal while on the top floor the main statue is of Buddha Amitabha.

Paro

Small village with with a bazaar, hotel and a restaurant. Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong, which also houses the National Museum, are two places of interest. Ta Dzong was built in 1651 as a watch tower. A six-storey structure, it has a number of objects of religious and cultural interest, along with a collection of thankas. Situated at an average elevation of 8000 feet high from sea level, home to many of Bhutan 's oldest temples and monasteries, Paro valley has managed to keep its bucolic nature in spite of the Bhutan 's only airport and many development projects.

Paro Town

rows of shops line the main road built in traditional architecture. This stretch of about 250 meters, with farmers leading their horses, its occasional idlers leaning against the storefronts, the town of Paro strangely resembles a village of the old American West.

Taktsang Temple (Tiger's Nest)

The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments and continue our hike for short while until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the remains of Taktsang monastery. Dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan , had taken the wrathful form of Guru Dorje Droloe to subdue the evil and demon that were obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.

Punakha

Located at an altitude of 4430 feet above sea level, Punakha had once served as the winter capital of Bhutan . It is still being used as the winter home to Bhutan 's spiritual leader and the monks of Thimphu and Paro. Blessed with temperate climate and fed by Pho Chu (Male) and Mochu (female) rivers, it is the most fertile valley and best red rice grower in the country. During a clear weather there are splendid view of the distant Himalayan snowcapped peaks at Dochu La Pass on Thimphu - Punakha road. Takes about two and half hours to reach from Thimphu. Click For Continue This Page. . . . . !

Bhumthang Valley

To the east of Tongsa lies Bumthang valley, at the altitude of 2,600 meters. This valley is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples.

Punakha Dzong

Two sites that can be visited from Thimphu by taxi and back on the same day. Punakha valley is blessed with a temperate climate and produces a rich crop of rice and fruits. Pungthang Dechen Phodrang " Palace of Great Happiness " popularly known as Punakha Dzong was built in 1637 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal after Simtokha Dzong and is located strategically between the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King.

Punakha served as the capital of the country until second king who moved the capital to Bumthang as summer and Trongsa as the winter. It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan 's first king was crowned. It is also the venue for Punakha Festival held in February or March.

Tashigang

Mongar to Tashigang is about 100km. The road crosses Kori La (2450m), descends to a bridge over the Sheri river (750m) and passing through an open valley arrives at Tashigang. This is a big town with a mid climate and easy-going cheerful people. It is also the HQ of a few international development projects, and many Western faces can be seen among the most ancient people of the high Himalaya. Standing on a hill spur, Tashigang Dzong was built in 1659 and has many temples.

Wangdiphodrang

Located at same elevation as Punakha, it's about 30 minutes of drive from Punakha. It is the last town of western Bhutan before you enter into the central part of Bhutan . Known for fine bamboo work and its slate stone carvings.

Wangdi Dzong

Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal in 1638 had built this massive fortress sitting on a hilltop at the confluence of Punakha Chu and Tang Chu Rivers . Wangdi festival is celebrated here in the fall.

Rinchengang Village

A small clustered village facing the Wangdi Dzong is known for its skill in traditional method of stone masonry. It is about 20 minutes hike uphill with great view of the Dzong, valley and the river.