Western Bhutan
Paro
Elevation 2,280m | Weather in Paro
The broad Paro valley is the entry point for all visitors flying into Bhutan on the national carrier, Druk Air. As the plane takes a dramatic sweep into Paro, the flight captain usually warns relieved passengers not to worry if the aircraft's wings appear to be almost touching the mountainsides.
Places to visit include the Paro Dzong (right), the National Museum housed in a round fortress called the Ta Dzong, and the ruins of the Drugyal Dzong, a 17th century fortress that used to keep invading Tibetan forces at bay, destroyed in fire in 1951.
Built amazingly on a cliff, it brings pride to the Bhutanese about the work of their ancestors. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called Tiger's Nest Monastery, Taktsang Monastery (right).
This site has been recognised as most sacred and visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
Built in 1692, it caught fire on 19 April 1998, that damaged the main structure of the building and some religious contents. The monastery was restored to its former glory in 2005. On a sunny day please do remember to carry sunscreen, water, walking stick and a hat.
A one hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the clifts and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.
- Drukgyal Dzong - Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate.
- Kyichu Lhakhang - the oldest temple in Bhutan.
Thimphu
Elevation 2,320m | Weather in Thimphu
This is the capital of Bhutan with a population of approximately 100,000 people. Thimphu became the capital in 1961 and the town is the largest in Bhutan. It is about an hour from the airport in Paro. As you enter the valley you drive on Bhutan's first four-lane expressway which takes you right into the heart of town, over two dramatic flyover bridges.
Note: Trashichho Dzong(right) is only open to public after office hours, on weekends and public holidays.
Places to visit in Thimphu include the Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum, the Trashichho Dzong, the National Memorial Chorten (a stupa dedicated to the third king of Bhutan), and the vegetable market, a colourful market full of local produce and handicrafts. Buddhists can visit numerous monasteries around the valley as well as a vibrant nunnery.
The district of Thimphu, however, stretches beyond the town and goes past Dochu-la, the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan. The 108 Druk Wangyal chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colourful prayer flags provide a scenic view. On a clear day, you can see a panorama of the Himalayan mountain range.
- Centenary Farmers' Market (right) - Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products.
- Heritage Museum * - Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artefacts used in rural households.
- Textile Museum - witnesses the art of traditional weaving.
- Thimphu Dzong * - the largest Dzong, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan.
- Paper making factory - witnesses the art of paper making.
- Semtokha Dzong * - Five miles from Thimphu, on a lofty ridge, stands Semtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in the Kingdom.
- National Memorial Chorten (right) - which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
- Viewpoints around Thimphu
- Takin enclosure - See the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin.
Punakha
Elevation 1,300m | Weather in Punakha
Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan, about 2 1/4 hours drive from Thimphu across Dochu-la pass. Once you cross the pass, you wind down into a warm fertile valley and meander along a gently flowing aquamarine river that leads you to the Punakha Dzong, the second dzong to be built in Bhutan.
Built in 1637, the dzong (right) continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.
Punakha is a sub-tropical valley where food grains, vegetables and fruits grow in abundance. A short drive up the valley is the Khamsum Yulley Chorten (stupa), constructed in 1992, as one of three such chortens in the world, one being the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.
Wangduephodrang (Wangdue)
Elevation 1,350m | Weather in Wangdue
To the south of Punakha is the valley of Wangduephodrang as the national highway heads towards central Bhutan. The old town, a narrow street with single storied shops, will soon be replaced by a brand new town carved out of terraced rice fields.
Wangduephodrang Dzong (right) sits majestically on a steep ridge overlooking the highway that fork to the east and south of the country.
As the road heads towards Trongsa in central Bhutan, a turn-off below Pelela pass takes you into the magical valley of Phobjikha, home to the rare Black-Necked Crane that has made Phobjikha its winter home for centuries. The birds fly in from Tibet in October and November and leave just before spring.
Another significant landmark in Phobjikha is the famous Gangtey Gompa monastery (right), built in the 17th century.
Source: Tourism Council of Bhutan