Lhakhang Kharpo


Haa's 100-strong monk body is housed not in Haa's dzong (fort monastery) but in the recently renovated Lhakhang Kharpo (White Chapel) complex, just south of the dzong. The atmospheric central chapel has statues of the Tse-la-nam Sum trinity (central Tsepame, Namgyelma and Drolma) and of local protector App Chhundu, and there are also a couple of bamboo-framed mannequins once used during cham (ritual dances).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Lhakhang Nagpo

0.17 MILES

A 10-minute walk or short drive behind the Lhakhang Kharpo is the grey-walled Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Chapel), one of the oldest temples in the Haa valley…

2. Haa Dzong

0.62 MILES

Haa's small dzong, known formally as Wangchuck Lo Dzong, is one of Bhutan's newest, built in 1915 to replace a smaller structure. It is inside the Indian…

3. Shelkar Drak

0.68 MILES

A short excursion up the valley behind the Lhakhang Kharpo is Shelkar Drak (Crystal Cliff), a tiny, charming retreat centre perched on the limestone cliff…

4. Juneydrak Hermitage

2.37 MILES

About 1km north of Haa, just before the main bridge, a paved road branches east 1km to Katsho village, from where you can take a lovely 40-minute hike to…

5. Kila Nunnery

3.61 MILES

Established as a meditation site in the 9th century and reputedly the oldest nunnery in Bhutan, Kila Nunnery is reached via a dirt road and short walk…

6. Yangthong Goemba

4.45 MILES

This monastery in the upper Haa valley is worth visiting, especially if you are heading on the Saga La trek. The charming upper chapels feature murals…

7. Chhundu Lhakhang

5.23 MILES

Eleven kilometres north of Haa is this recently rebuilt local temple, one of several shrines dedicated to the valley's protective deity. Blue-faced App…

8. Dzongdrakha Goemba

6.8 MILES

The visually splendid but little-visited cliffside retreat of Dzongdrakha Goemba is one of several local sites where Guru Rinpoche did battle with local…