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Sights & landmarks
Western Bhutan Attractions
Tiger's Nest Monastery
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PARO
The 'Tiger's Nest Monastery' is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. This temple is nested impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.
Memorial Chorten
TOP ATTRACTIONS - THIMPHU
The Tibetan-style stupa was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and is dedicated to World Peace. Visitors will find elderly Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day.
Kyichu Lhakhang
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PARO
A majestic seventh-century temple revered as one of the most magnificent and oldest sites of worship in Bhutan. Elderly pilgrims constantly shuffle around the temple spinning its many prayer wheels, making this one of the most charming spots in the Paro valley.
Buddha Dordenma
TOP ATTRACTIONS - THIMPHU
This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley.
Punakha Dzong
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PUNAKHA
Punakha Dzongkhag has been inextricably linked with momentous occasions in Bhutanese history. It served as the capital of the country from 1637 to 1907 and the first national assembly was hosted here in 1953. Punakha Dzong is not only the second oldest and second largest Dzong but it also has one of the most majestic structures in the country.
Dochula Pass
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PUNAKHA
Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. This place offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range with the majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 Chortens.
Royal Textile Academy
TOP ATTRACTIONS - THIMPHU
The RTA is managed by a Board of Trustees under the leadership of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck as the Chairperson. It features a stunning display of ancient and modern textiles, and explores the rich traditions of Bhutan's national arts of thagzo (weaving) and tshemzo (embroidery).
Takin Preserve
TOP ATTRACTIONS - THIMPHU
Takin Preserve, located in the Motithang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals.
Haa Valley
TOP ATTRACTIONS - HAA
Haa is one of the smallest Dzongkhag in the country. This valley remains one of the least visited areas in the country and retains the air of an unspoiled, primeval forest.
National Museum
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PARO
The museum is set in Paro Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that now displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artwork including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life.
Chele La Pass
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PARO
Chele La Pass is an hour drive from Paro. It has stunning views of Mt. Jumolhari 22,000 feet. Mt.Jichudrake and Tsherimgang to the left and Mt. Kanchenjongga to the distant left. Sky burial at the last ridge and multi-colored Buddhist prayer flags remain the highlight of this hike.
Centenary Farmers Market
TOP ATTRACTIONS - THIMPHU
Thimphu’s weekend market is by far the largest domestic market for the farmers in Bhutan. Farmers come from all over the country to sell their farm products in the market. With its wide assortment of fresh and organic produce.
Simtokha Dzong
TOP ATTRACTIONS - THIMPHU
Simtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The name Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing travelers in the region.
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PUNAKHA
Seven kilometers (4 miles) northeast of the Punakha dzong, the tiered chorten stands 30-meters (100-feet) tall, it three stories covered with painted pageant of characters from the annals of Vajrayana Buddhism - including one protector deity pictured riding a shaggy brown migoi or yeti.
Suspension Bridge
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PUNAKHA
At 160m long, this bridge one of Bhutan's longest suspension bridges and it's fun to cross the swaying, prayer-flag-draped walkway over the Po Chhu.
Zorig Chusum
TOP ATTRACTIONS - THIMPHU
This institute, commonly known as 'the painting school', operates four- to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Students specialise in painting (of both furniture and thangkas – painted religious pictures, usually on canvas), woodcarving (masks, statues, bowls), embroidery (hangings, boots, clothes) or statue-making (clay).
Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory
TOP ATTRACTIONS - THIMPHU
1 km from Thimphu City, the Jungshi handmade paper factory uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho. Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations.
Chimmi Lhakhang Temple
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PUNAKHA
The sacred Chimi Lhakhang, known as the Fertility Temple, is a revered place of magic and miracles. Blessed by the eccentric maverick yogi and saint Drukpa Kunley, known as the ‘Divine Madman’ and father of fertility, he had very unconventional ways of teaching and this Buddhist monastery is said to be a place of fertility and blessings.
Central Bhutan Attractions
Phobjikha Valley & Crane Center
TOP ATTRACTIONS - PHOBJIKHA
Phobjikha is a bowl-shaped glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Because of the large flock of black-necked cranes that winters here, it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country.The Royal Society for Protection of Nature, also known as The Crane Centre, displays material on the cranes and their environment, as well as guiding conservation awareness operations on this threatened bird.
Trongsa Dzong & Tower
TOP ATTRACTIONS - TRONGSA
Trongsa Dzong is closely connected to the royal family. The first two hereditary kings ruled from this dzong, and tradition still dictates that the crown prince serve as Trongsa penlop before acceding to the throne. Ta Dzong (watchtower), which once guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion, stands on a promontory above the town. It was built by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the 1st Governor of Trongsa in 1652.
Jakar Dzong
TOP ATTRACTIONS - BUMTHANG
The Jakar Dzong or the “Castle of the White Bird” dominates the Chamkhar valley and overlooks the town. Constructed in 1549, by the Tibetan Lam Nagi Wangchuk, the Dzong played an important role as the fortress of defence of the whole eastern Dzongkhags. It also became the seat of the first king of Bhutan.
Kurjey Lhakhang
TOP ATTRACTIONS - BUMTHANG
Kurjey Lhakhang of Bumthang valley is the final resting place of the remains of the first Three Kings of Bhutan. Kurjey Lhakhang derived its name after Guru Rinpoche meditated in a cave to subdue the angry spirit. There is a fascinating legend behind the construction of Kurjey Lhakhang.
Tamzhing Goemba
TOP ATTRACTIONS - BUMTHANG
Tamzhing Lhündrup Monastery in Bumthang is the most important Nyingma gompa in Bhutan. Its temple and monastery are remarkable for their direct connection to the Bhutanese tertön and saint, Pema Lingpa (1450-1521) and his tulkus.
Jambay Lhakhang
TOP ATTRACTIONS - BUMTHANG
Jambay Lhakhang is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever. It was divined that the supine demoness was causing obstruction to the spread of Buddhism, and temples were constructed on her body parts that spread across Tibet, Bhutan and the borderlands.
Ura Valley
TOP ATTRACTIONS - BUMTHANG
Ura valley is surrounded by the lush terraced field and lofty hills dotted with alpine trees. Ura Valley takes its visitors back in time with its small traditionally built houses nestled below the terraced fields. Ura Valley has grown prosperous but yet it has remained untouched by the ruckus of modernized society.
Ogyen Choling Palace
TOP ATTRACTIONS - BUMTHANG
This place with its special physical features and blessed by the presence of Longchen Rabjam, later became a center of the Tibetan saint Dorji Lingpa (1346-1405). Ogyen Choling is regarded as Dorji Lingpa's center and the descendants of the saint have not only borne the responsibility of upholding the religious tradition, choeju, but also the genealogical lineage, dungju, of Dorji Lingpa.
Red Panda Brewery & Cheese Factory
TOP ATTRACTIONS - BUMTHANG
The brewery is not only famous for being the first and sole microbrewery but it also unique because of its owner Frits Maurer. Fritz Maurer has quite a history as being the first foreigner able to travel to Bhutan after being invited by the king. With his support of introducing brown Swiss cows in the country, Bhutanese people saw a gradual increase in the production of milk.
Chamkhar Town
TOP ATTRACTIONS - BUMTHANG
Chamkhar town (Jakar)is the major tourist hot spot in the area and trading center of the region. Most of the hotels and services are found here. Nearby Kurje Lhakhang , Jambey Lhakhang and the Jakar Dzong are frequently visited by tourists.
Eastern Bhutan Attractions
Takila
TOP ATTRACTIONS - LHUENTSE
The world's largest statue Of Guru Padmasambhava, with the total height of 173 feet, stands imposingly on the Takila mountain slope, which is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Lhuntse district, overlooking the entire valley of Tangmachu.
Chorten Kora
TOP ATTRACTIONS - TRASHIYANGTSE
Mirroring the architecture of the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal. local people and Dakpa people from Arunachal Pradesh (India) gather in February/March for a festival to circumambulate the chorten.
Gom Kora
TOP ATTRACTIONS - TRASHIYANGTSE
The biggest attraction of Gomphu Kora is the circumambulation. The place comes alive, once every year, when people all over eastern Bhutan and Dakpa tribe from neighboring Arunachael Pradesh (India) partake in the festivity, to worship and to reaffirm their connection with the past.
Radhi Village
TOP ATTRACTIONS - TRASHIGANG
Radhi village is famous for two things, its rice fields and the skill of its weavers. People of Radhi make living from fine raw silk or bura textiles during the off-agricultural seasons. Radhi village produces some of the most authentic high quality raw silk textiles to be found anywhere in Bhutan.
Khaling Festival
TOP ATTRACTIONS - TRASHIGANG
The Khaling tshechu is unusually popular among the Brokpas(nomads). In fact, locals say that it is the only tshechu that the majority of the brokpas from Merak and Sakten witness.
Khoma Village
TOP ATTRACTIONS - LHUENTSE
Khoma village is known throughout the country for its signature woven textile, the Kishuthara. The women sit in a row of makeshift textile cottage, weaving intricate designs and patterns. Picking up a Kishuthara here will be much cheaper than buying it from one of the handicraft shops in the capital.
Dungkar Royal Masion
TOP ATTRACTIONS - TRASHIYANGTSE
The Dungkar Choeje Lhakhang is the birthplace of the Wangchuck Dynasty and it is said to stand on the tip of the Dungkar(conch)-like shape of the land. Two famed figures in the history of Bhutan, Pila Goenpo Wangyel and Pala Gyeltshen were born in Dungkar Choeje Lhakhang.
Khaling Handloom
TOP ATTRACTIONS - TRASHIGANG
One can visit this handloom and learn & experiences the weaving culture of eastern Bhutan. We can also see the natural coloring and dying is used for the textiles in Bhutan. It is a good option for shopping authentic Bhutanese textiles created with age-old indigenous techniques of dyeing and weaving.