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1h · Admission ticket included
The National Memorial Chorten was built in memory of Third Druk King of Bhutan and is dedicated to World Peace. The chorten is a large white structure crowned with a golden spire.
It is located close to the center of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments. Visitors will find elderly Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day. Chorten literally means ‘Seat of Faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments, the ‘Mind of Buddha’. The Chorten is an extraordinary example of Buddhist architecture and artwork with its gorgeous paintings and intricate sculptures.
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Changangkha Lhakhang
1h · Admission ticket included
The date of the foundation of Changangkha Lhakhang is not exactly known but the elder people speak like that: ‘The descendants of Phajo Drugom Shigpo Son’s Nyima, established the monastery in the 15th century and called it “Phagpa Ranjung Tsuglakha”, “ the temple of Avalokitoshvara” statue which has appeared by itself”. In this main statue made of precious materials, they put relics which had appeared after Phajo’s cremation and many items of other kagyul lamas. Changangkha Lhakhang is the most important temple for the Children born in Thimphu, since the protective deity of children resides in this temple.
This statue, which still exists, represents Avalokiteshvara with 11 heads. Thanks to the prayers said by the descendants of this lineage, this lineage has given to the monk-body the famous 4th Desi Tenzing Rabgye (1638-1696), other abbots and eminent Lamas for the benefit of Bhutan.
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1h · Admission ticket included
Zilukha Anim Dratshang was founded in 1976 by Rikey Jadrel, who is considered an emanation of Thangtong Gyalpo (1361-1485), the Tibetan. It is also know as Thangtong Dewachen nunnery.
saint renowned as the great Siddha, the most accomplished Master in the Tibetan Buddhist world, and father of Tibetan Opera and builder of numerous iron chain bridges across the Himalayas. This was established with the aim of promoting Buddhism in general and teachings associated with the Tangtong Gyalpo in particular.
Under the Rikey Jadrel Rinpoche, the nunnery is started with forty-five nuns but today it houses the sixty nuns engaged in Buddhist study and practice. The nunnery mainly follows the Jangter lineage and Abham Terchoe of Nyingma School and Shangpa.
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National Institute for Zorig Chusum
1h · Admission ticket included
National Institute for Zorig Chusum or the School of Arts and Crafts is an Institute where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
“Zorig Chusum” means the Thirteen Arts and Crafts. To preserve the country’s invaluable heritage and promote arts in Bhutan, the government initiated this institute in 1971. Students are taught painting, calligraphy, embroidery, wood carving, and sculpture. They also learn the traditional meaning and spiritual values enshrined in Buddhist art. On a visit one can actually see students at work. The students follow a comprehensive course that starts with drawing and progresses through painting, wood carving, embroidery, and statue- making. This institute not only helps preserve our beautiful heritage but also equips future generations with skills and knowledge to keep our own heritage alive. The 13 arts and crafts comprise of; painting, carpentry, carving, sculpture, casting, blacksmith, bamboo work, gold and silversmith, weaving, embroidery, masonry, leather work, and paper making.
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National Library and Archives of Bhutan
1h · Admission ticket included
National Library was first established in 1967 with a small collection of precious texts and was initially housed within the central tower of Tashichodzong. Later it moved to a building in the Changgangkha area of Thimphu. To provide a permanent home for the sacred religious books and manuscripts in the growing collection, construction of the present four-storeyed eight-cornered traditional building, which looks like the central tower temple of a Bhutanese Dzong, was initiated and was inaugurated in 1984.
The repository rooms of the archives now house many important documents including old records, old letters and around seven thousand important photographs. The archives also hold microfilms of many other important documents. Particularly rare and important books and manuscripts from the National Library collection are also kept in their secure and controlled facilities.
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1h · Admission ticket included
The Jungshi handmade paper factory uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho. The Jungshi paper factory continues to preserve and promote this age-old Bhutanese tradition. It also produces various other products, such as stationery and greeting cards.
It is located approximately 1 km from Thimphu City. The factory uses the bark of two tree species, the Daphne tree and Dhekap tree in the manufacture of traditional paper. Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. You can even try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your very own as a souvenir. Deh-sho paper was originally used by monasteries for woodblock and manuscript books and also for writing prayer books.
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Motithang Takin Preserve
1h · Admission ticket included
A short distance up the road to the BBS tower viewpoint is a trail leading to a large fenced enclosure that was originally established as a zoo.
Motithang Takin Preserve, located in the Motithang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxi color), the national animal of Bhutan. The reason for declaring Takin as the national animal of Bhutan is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley, popularly known as the Divine Mad Man.
It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals. The best time to see them is early morning, when they gather near the fence to feed.
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Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong)
1h · Admission ticket included
Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Other government departments are housed in buildings nearby.
It was first constructed in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa where Dechen Phodrang now stands above Thimphu. In 1641, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal acquired it but finding it too small, he built another one, known as the lower Dzong. The original dzong was destroyed by fire in 1771 and everything was moved to the lower dzong. The new building was later expanded several times over the years. It was damaged during an earthquake in 1897 and rebuilt in 1902. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck had it completely renovated and enlarged over five years after he moved the capital to Thimphu in 1952 in traditional style using neither nails nor written plans.
The dzong is located close to Thimphu town, next to the banks of the Wang Chhu River. It is an impressively large structure, surrounded by well-kept lawns and beautiful gardens.
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Centenary Farmers Market
1h · Admission ticket included
The weekend market is in a permanent set of stalls north of Changlimithang Stadium. Vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain until Sunday night. It’s an interesting place to visit, where village people jostle with well-heeled Thimphu residents for the best- and cheapest- vegetables and foodstuffs. This is the only time that fresh produce is easily available and the shopping is enhanced by the opportunity to catch up on the week’s gossip.
Depending on the season you may find potatoes, onions, numerous varieties of chillies, red and white rice, buckwheat, flour, cauliflowers, cabbages, lettuces, eggplants, asparagus, peas, squash, yams, several kinds of mushrooms and ferns, strange species and herbs. Fruits come from local orchards and from the south of the country. You will find oranges, apples, pineapples, bananas, mangoes, apricots, peaches and plums. If you wander off into one corner of the market, you’ll find an odoriferous collection of dried fish, beef and balls of dates (homemade soft cheese that is used to make sauces). During the winter, you can even pick up a leg of yak (with the hoof still attached).
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, cloth, baskets and strange hats from various minority groups. They are more than happy to sell these to tourists, but it’s mostly intended for local consumption. If you shop here, you may find a Bhutanese housewife or a monk from a near by monastery to advise you on the quality of your purchase. Bargaining is very much in order here.
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Dochula Pass
30m · Admission ticket included
Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snow capped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.
Bhutanese families enjoy visiting the pass during holidays and weekends to picnic and simply enjoy the scenery. It is common to see families and groups of friends seated among st the chortens, enjoying a packed lunch and hot tea. For tourists this is an ideal location to capture beautiful pictures of the Himalayan mountain range during clear, warm days.
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Punakha Dzong
2h · Admission ticket included
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.
October 13, 2011 marked an unforgettable wedding of the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to Jetsun Pema which was held at Punakha Dzong. Punakha Dzong was built at the confluence of two major rivers in Bhutan, the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu, which converge in this valley. It is an especially beautiful sight on sunny days with sunlight reflecting off the water onto its white-washed walls.
In addition to its structural beauty, Punakha Dzong is notable for containing the preserved remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan as well as a sacred relic known as the Ranjung Karsapani. This relic is a self-created image of Avalokiteswara that miraculously emerged from the vertebrae of Tsangpa Gyarey, the founder of the Drukpa School when he was cremated.
Punakha valley has a pleasant climate with warm winters and hot summers. It is located at an average elevation of 1200 m above sea level. Owing to the favorable climatic conditions, rice has become the main cash crop cultivated in the region.
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Chimi Lhakhang Temple
1h 30m · Admission ticket included
Also known as the “Fertility Temple,” the single building site was originally built in 1499 on a short hill that had been blessed by rogue Buddhist leader Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman.” Drupa Kunley, also known as “The Saint of 5,000 Women” worked overtime to spread enlightenment through an active sex life. He was known to live a truly bacchanal lifestyle full of wine, women, and poetry. He is also credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, hence the common phallic imagery found throughout the country. The phallus became Drupa Kunley’s symbol, signaling both fertility and the power to bring enlightenment to those who… learned from its teachings. Because of this, his penis as a symbol is sometimes known as the “Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom.”
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Paro Taktsang
6h · Admission ticket included
Paro Taktsang Monastery more famous as Tiger's nest Monastery is a Buddhist temple complex which clings to a cliff, 3120 meters above the sea level on the side of the upper Paro valley, Bhutan.It is one of the most famous touristic destinations of the country and the cultural icon of Bhutan.
Visiting the Paro Taktsang Monastery is an unforgettable experience thanks to its unique location and the views of surrounding majestic mountains and emerald green valleys.
The main peculiarity of the monastery is its isolated location. It is only accessible by mountainous paths.
The remote location of the monastery makes it amazingly beautiful and unique, but also creates technical difficulties.
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Drukgyel Dzong
1h · Admission ticket included
Drukgyal meaning “the fortress of the victorious Drukpas” is located in Phondey village in Paro.
History has it that Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel built the dzong to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan-Mongol forces in 1649. However, some people say it might have been built by Tenzin Drukdra, the second Desi at the behest of Zhabdrung.
The dzong used to house one of the biggest granaries among all the dzongs in the country. Some of the original relics rescued from the fire that occurred in 1951 are an image of Chenrizig, the god of compassion; an image of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal; 108 volumes of kanjur (translated words of Lord Buddha) and 12 volumes of Bum (Hundred thousand verses of Prajnaparamitra) and Dolma (Tara). The site is now under reconstruction.
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Kyichu Lhakhang
1h · Admission ticket included
As we walk towards toward the Kyichu Lhakhang, we can see elderly pilgrims constantly walking around the Lhakhang and spinning the prayers wheels. We can see a wall painting onto the right side of the entrance way as we come near the internal courtyard. It is the wall painting of a king called Gesar of Ling who was a popular Tibetan warrior king. His epic poem is believed to be the longest in the world.
The Kyichu Lhakhang conceals the statue of Jowo Jamba which is originally from the 7th century. It is considered as the greatest treasure of the valley. Outside the hall of the shrine, has the statue of Chenresig having 11 heads and 1000 arms. The main entrance door is beautifully covered with gold. We can see that in front of the statue are the grooves worn into the wooden floor by the generations of prostration. . Kyichu Lhakhang holds some of the oldest relics and the floor of the main temple which is made of wood is inlaid with turquoise, other precious gems and stones.
Next to the main temple is the Guru Lhakhang. The Guru Lhakhang consists of 5 meter high statue of Guru Rinpoche and Kurukulla (Red Tara) which holds a bow and arrow made of flowers. We can see a chorten to the right side of Guru, where it contains the ashes of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He was an honorable Nyingma Buddhist and the spiritual teacher of the Queen Mother. His former quarters are closed to the visitors which is located at the left side. We can also see a heap of iron links in the corner of the Lhakhang which was faked by the famous bridge builder of Bhutan called Thangtong Gyalpo.
Kyichu Lhakhang is a very important place for art connoisseurs, historians, pilgrims and visitors from all around the world because it is a place of culture and art. Outside the temple, we can see water pray wheels, small prayer wheels with Lenza script, Monks house, palace for Naga and Stupa for Naga. It is believed that the two orange trees which are in the courtyard of the Lhakhang bears fruit throughout the year.
