Must-see attractions in Bhutan

  • Trashi Chho Dzong

    Thimphu

    This splendid dzong, north of the city on the west bank of the Wang Chhu, dominates the valley, looking out over a cascade of terraced fields. It's…

  • Scenic view of the Trongsa District, Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa, Bhutan

    Trongsa Dzong

    Bhutan

    This commanding dzong, high above the roaring Mangde Chhu, is perhaps the most spectacularly sited dzong in Bhutan, with a sheer drop to the south that…

  • Changangkha Lhakhang, Thimphu, Bhutan, Asia.

    Changangkha Lhakhang

    Thimphu

    This traditional Bhutanese temple perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu hums with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th…

  • Thimphu, Bhutan - AUGUST 13, 2014: The National Textile Museum of Bhutan; Shutterstock ID 610666673; full: 65050; gl: 65050; netsuite: poi; your: Barbara Di Castro
610666673

    National Textile Museum

    Thimphu

    Thimphu's best museum is part of the Royal Textile Academy. It features a stunning display of ancient and modern textiles, and explores the rich…

  • Simtokha Dzong

    Thimphu

    About 5km south of Thimphu on the old road to Paro and Phuentsholing, the handsomely proportioned Simtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang…

  • At a strategic vantage point perched high over Trongsa Dzong, rises its watch tower, Bhutan.

    Tower of Trongsa Royal Heritage Museum

    Bhutan

    This watchtower (ta dzong) overlooking the dzong now houses an excellent museum. The five floors of displays tell the history of the monarchy through such…

  • Jakar Dzong in mountains.

    Jakar Dzong

    Bhutan

    Jakar Dzong is in a picturesque location overlooking the Chokhor valley; the current structure was built in 1667. Its official name is Yuelay Namgyal…

  • Masks on display at Handicraft Market

    Weekend Market

    Thimphu

    Thimphu's Weekend Market fills a maze-like pavilion on the west bank of the Wang Chhu, just north of Changlimithang Stadium. Vendors from throughout the…

  • Peace Memorial Stupa.

    National Memorial Chorten

    Thimphu

    This large chorten is one of the most visible landmarks in Thimphu, and for many Bhutanese it is the focus of daily worship. The Tibetan-style stupa was…

  • Tango Goemba

    Thimphu

    Tango is the residence of Gyalse Rinpoche, recognised as the seventh reincarnation of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, founder of Taktshang Goemba. The original…

  • Man moulding miniature clay mask at National Institute for Zorig Chusum.

    National Institute for Zorig Chusum

    Thimphu

    This institute, commonly known as 'the painting school', operates four- to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts…

  • Kurjey Lhakhang means "Body Imprint Temple" is located in Bumthang, central Bhutan. It was built in the 8th century. Guru Rinpoche, the tantric master of Bhutan Buddhism, meditated in this temple for three months and left his body imprint inside the cave. "Kurjey" means body imprint. At the side of the temple there is a tall cypress tree that is believed to have sprouted from the walking stick of Guru Rinpoche.

    Kurjey Lhakhang

    Bhutan

    This large, active and important temple complex is named after the body (kur) print (jey) of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest…

  • Tamshing Goemba

    Bhutan

    This goemba, formally the Tamshing Lhendup Chholing (Temple of the Good Message), is 5km from Jakar. It was established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the…

  • Landmark of Thimphu City, Kuenselphodrang, statue of Lord Buddha

    Buddha Dordenma

    Thimphu

    The huge 51m-tall steel statue of Buddha Dordenma commands the entry to the Thimphu valley. The massive three-storey base houses a large chapel full of…

  • Konchogsum Lhakhang

    Bhutan

    Just 400m below Tamshing, this towering, recently constructed and brightly painted building completely envelops the restored remains of the original…

  • Cheri Goemba

    Thimphu

    From the river confluence at Dodina, a steep trail climbs for 45 minutes through a forest adorned with prayer flags to Cheri Goemba, established by…

  • Changlimithang Archery Ground

    Thimphu

    Most days of the week you'll find arrows flying at the city's most important archery ground, just down from Changlimithang Stadium. Teams compete to hit…

  • Dechen Phodrang

    Thimphu

    Beyond Trashi Chho Dzong at the north end of town, Dechen Phodrang stands on the site of Thimphu's original 12th-century dzong. Since 1971 it has housed…

  • Royal Manas National Park

    Bhutan

    Royal Manas is Bhutan's oldest national park and occupies territory in the biodiverse southern foothills of three dzongkhags: Zhemgang, Sarpang and…

  • Chhoekhor, Bhutan - November 9, 2015: Pilgrim is praying at the Jampey Lhakhang temple, Chhoekhor, Bhutan with the image of the 5th King of Bhutan in the background. It is one of the oldest temple in Bhutan. It is said to date back to 7th century

    Jampey Lhakhang

    Bhutan

    Up a short side road about 1.5km past Sey Lhakhang, this fabulous temple is believed to have been built in 659 by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, on the…

  • Ngang Lhakhang

    Bhutan

    A bumpy 10km drive up the Chokhor valley from Thangbi Goemba is the small region known as Ngang-yul (Swan Land). The site was visited by Guru Rinpoche,…

  • Thimphu, Bhutan, Asia.

    Motithang Takin Preserve

    Thimphu

    Off the road leading to the BBS Tower, this preserve for Bhutan's curious national animal was originally established as a zoo, but the fourth king decided…

  • Pangri Zampa

    Thimphu

    Founded in the early 16th century, this riverside monastery complex houses Bhutan's most important college for traditional astrology. Zhabdrung Ngawang…

  • Thangbi Goemba

    Bhutan

    Thangbi Goemba was founded in 1470 by Shamar Rinpoche and, after a dispute, was taken over by Pema Lingpa. The main chapel of the Dusum Sangay (past,…

  • Talakha Goemba

    Thimphu

    Poised high above Simtokha Dzong at 3080m, this 15th-century goemba offers spectacular views over the peaks to the north and south of the capital and…

  • Taphey Goemba

    Bhutan

    If you have a spare half day in Trongsa or really want to get off the beaten track, consider driving and then hiking up to this meditation retreat high on…

  • Pema Sambhava Lhakhang

    Bhutan

    Along the dirt road north of Tamshing, a short steep climb above the valley floor leads to the small Pema Sambhava Lhakhang. The original lhakhang was…

  • Ogyen Chholing Museum

    Bhutan

    The family that owns Ogyen (or Ugyen) Chholing has turned part of the complex into a museum to preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious…

  • Wangditse Goemba

    Thimphu

    Perched high above Trashi Chho Dzong, this hillside goemba was founded in 1750 and is being painstakingly reconstructed by a team of traditional…

  • Simply Bhutan

    Thimphu

    Simply Bhutan is an interactive 'living' museum that gives a quick introduction to various aspects of traditional life in Bhutan. Visitors are greeted…

  • Shugdrak

    Bhutan

    To get well off the beaten track make the short 10-minute hike up to this sacred Guru Rinpoche cave, 2km past Thangbi. A series of ladders leads pilgrims…

  • Chhokhortse Goemba

    Thimphu

    The views are spectacular on the approach to this peaceful monastery (3010m), reached via a prayer-flag-choked trail climbing above the BBS Tower. The…

  • Folk Heritage Museum

    Thimphu

    Set in a small orchard, this restored rammed-earth and timber building is furnished as it would have been about a century ago, providing a glimpse into…

  • Goldsmiths Workshop

    Thimphu

    This government workshop, behind Thimphu's long-distance bus station, is a good place to see metalworkers producing repoussé work (with designs hammered…

  • Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory

    Thimphu

    This small factory produces traditional Bhutanese paper handmade from the bark of the daphne bush. You can see the whole process, from soaking and boiling…

  • Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory

    Thimphu

    Easily Thimphu's sweetest-smelling excursion, this traditional workshop churns out about 10,000 sticks of handmade incense every month. You can watch the…

  • Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu

    Thimphu

    This studio and art gallery exists to promote local artists, to provide vocational training for young artists and to act as an artists' creative meeting…

  • Zilukha Nunnery

    Thimphu

    Just off Gadem Lam, on the hillside above Trashi Chho Dzong, this small, friendly nunnery has links to Thangtong Gyelpo, builder of chain bridges across…

  • Buli Lhakhang

    Bhutan

    This small but atmospheric temple was completely rejuvenated from an almost abandoned ruin to the lively Nyingma school and lhakhang it is today. The…

  • Sey Lhakhang

    Bhutan

    Beyond the hospital north of Jakar is the Sey Lhakhang ('sey' means 'golden'). Properly known as Lhodrak Seykhar Dratshang, this is a monastic school that…

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