Places

Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only airport, is in the bustling Paro Valley, a densely populated area with numerous attractions. Rinpung Dzong oversees both religious and secular activities, while nearby Ta Dzong, a castle-like watchtower, now houses the National Museum. About 18 kilometers away are the burnt ruins of Drugyel Dzong, which once defended against Tibetan invasions. On clear days, you can see Mount Chhomolhari. Paro is a sacred pilgrimage site, marking Guru Padma Sambhava’s first stop on his journey from Tibet to Bhutan in the 8th century, where he meditated at the Taktsang Monastery. Unfortunately, a 1998 fire damaged the temple, but reconstruction efforts are underway.

Thimphu is perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world. The Tashichho Dzong is the most prominent landmark situated near the Wang Chhu River and it houses the throne room of the King of Bhutan. During the summer months, the monk body led by His Holiness, the Je Khenpo, makes its home in the Dzong.The National Library holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and contains arguably the best collection of religious and historical literature in the Himalayas. Some of the other places of interest are the Thangka Painting School, the Indigenous Hospital, the Memorial Chorten built in memory of the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1974.

The road from Simtokha winds through pine forests and villages for 20 kilometers, revealing Dochula Pass at 10,500 feet, offering breathtaking Himalayan views. In winter, Punakha Dzong hosts the Central Monk Body and the Je Khenpo (spiritual leader). Punakha’s warm climate fosters fertile valleys. Chime Lhakhang, perched on a hillock amidst rice fields, is a scenic pilgrimage site for childless couples, associated with Saint Drukpa Kuenlay. It was Bhutan’s capital until 1955, surviving fires and earthquakes, still housing sacred relics and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel’s embalmed body. This dzong, at the river confluence, is among Bhutan’s most magnificent.

This is the last town on the highway before entering Central Bhutan. Sitting on the top of a hill the formidable Dzong is the town’s most visible features. In the 17th century Wangdue played a critical role in unifying western, central and southern Bhutan. The town itself is little more than an enlarged village with well-provided shops and hotels.The road from Wangdue to Trongsa is one of the prettiest in Bhutan passing streams, forests and villages before climbing the Pelela Pass on the Black Mountain ranges in to the Trongsa valley. South of the highway is the Gangtey Gompa an old monastery dating from the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa is the village of Phobjikha – one of the winter homes of the Black Necked Cranes who migrate to Bhutan from Central Asia to pass the winters in lower climes.

This town is located in the center of Bhutan. The Royal Family has strong links with Trongsa. Both the first and the second king ruled the kingdom from Trongsa’s ancient Dzong. The Crown Prince of Bhutan normally holds the position of Trongsa Penlop prior to ascending the throne. The secular and religious center, the Dzong is an impregnable fortress and is itself a labyrinth of temples, corridors and offices. The town is the quaintest and the most charming of all Bhutanese towns. The town’s vista is traditional in appearance as the wooden slatted houses line up together on the side of the hill.

Mongar like Trashigang further east, is built on the side of a hill because valleys in Eastern Bhutan are too narrow for towns to develop on the valley floor. Mongar Dzong is modern compared to other Dzongs in the kingdom. Lhuentse is 77 kilometers from Mongar and is one of the most isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs and gorges and dense coniferous forests. The region is notably famous for its weavers and special textiles and fabrics, generally considered to be the best in the country. The Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is also the ancestral home of the Royal dynasty.

The road from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar was completed in the early 1960s and enables the eastern half of the country to access the benefit from the trade in the south as well as providing a border crossing to India. It is possible to exit Bhutan and drive from Samdrup Jongkhar to Phuentsholing via the Indian territories of Assam and West Bengal.The journey from Trashigang passes through Kanglung, a small hamlet where Bhutan’s only college, Sherubtse or Peak of Knowledge is located. Further south along the road is Khaling where one can visit a weaving center and a school for the blind. Pemagatshel is an independent district with its own dzong. The road descends fairly abruptly through thick jungle before arriving at Samdrup Jongkhar. This town is small and bustling and acts as a commercial hub and entry and exit point in the southeast.Phuentsholing is the southwest is a border town and can be used as an exit point from Bhutan.