The capital of Bhutan Thimphu lies in a sylvan valley, on a hillside on the bank of the river by the same name. One interesting fact about this city is that it is only capital in the world without any traffic lights. The city is a storehouse of Bhutanese culture. The Trashi Chhoe Dzong or the fortress of Glorious Religion, and the Memorial Chorten are some of the old sites worth a visit. Among the modern attractions, the School of Arts and Crafts, Weekend market, Changlimithang Stadium, and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine are very popular.
The town of Paro in western Bhutan also attracts tourists with its scenic location, beautiful landscapes, wooded villages and historic buildings. The Rimpung Dzong or Paro Dzong stands on a hillside above the gently meandering Paro River. The Ta dzong is an ancient watchtower where the National Museum has been housed. The National Museum and the famous Taktshang Monastery are both located here. Kyichu Iyakhang, one of the holiest temples of Bhutan lies 8 km from Paro. The Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) is a pilgrimage place that every Bhutanese tries to visit at least once in a lifetime.
The spiritual heartland of Bhutan, Bumthang, is where the most ancient and precious Buddhist sites are located. It is the home to the most important dzongs, temples and palaces. Wangdichholing Palace, the residence of the former king, Ugyen Wangchuk; the temple of Jambey Lhakang, the sacred cave of Kurjey Lhakang; and the largest Bhutanese dzong, Jakar, are all located here.
Lying in the centre of Bhutan, Trongsa is of great importance in the history of Bhutan. Both His Majesty King Ugyen Wangchuck, who was elected the country's first hereditary monarch, and his successor, King Jigme Wangchuck, ruled the country from Trongsa's ancient dzong. The present King continued this tradition when he was appointed Trongsa Penlop in 1972 shortly before he ascended the throne of Bhutan. Trongsa Dzong is an awe-inspiring and impregnable fortress. It has a labyrinth of temples, corridors and offices holding court over the local community. Trongsa is one of the quaintest and most charming of all Bhutanese towns. Its vista is traditional in appearance with wooden slatted houses lining the side of the hill.
Phobjika is a glacial valley that has been designated a conservation area. It lies on the borders of the Black Mountain National Park that is one of the most important wildlife preserves in Bhutan. The rare, endangered black-necked cranes that have a special place in Bhutanese folklore roost here in the winters. Tourists can view their roosting places with permission from relevant authorities. Barking deer, wild boars, leopards, Himalayan black bears and red foxes are some of the animals that live here. The Satkeng Wildlife Sanctuary is also located nearby. The wild east of the Bhutanese kingdom can be explored from Punakha, Trashigang, Wangdue Phodrang and Gangtey Gompa, which are some of the favorite tourist sites.
One of the most spectacular drives in Bhutan is the 20 km stretch between Sengor and Namning in East Bhutan. Huge cascading waterfalls, endless turns and frequent fogs make for exhilarating travel. Travelers pass citrus groves in the relatively mild climate at Lingmithang, only an hour after being immersed in pine forest, dropping through 6,562 feet of ice and snow.
The Kurichu Hydroelectric project is located in Mongar. When completed, it will have a total capacity to output 60 megawatts of hydroelectricity. The town itself is small with a sprinkling of shops. The Mongar Dzong is modern compared to others in the kingdom. |
