Bhutan Attractions

BHUTAN ATTRACTIONS

Nestling in the Himalayas, the kingdom of Bhutan is bordered by Tibet in the north and India in the south. It is roughly the size of Switzerland. With its closely guarded culture and traditions, and well-conserved pristine natural environment, Bhutan is unique and fascinating in many ways.

Bhutan is the last surviving Mahayana Buddhist state which has shaped the nation's history, and it still plays a vital role in the everyday life.

Bhutan has a wide range of climates, from the hot and humid jungles of the southern foothills to frigid snowcapped peaks in the north which rise to 7,700 metres. This has made it possible for a lot of unique and rare plants and animals to thrive.

Thimpu

Thimphu is Bhutan’s capital city. The population of Thimphu is estimated to be about 30,000. It is located in the west of Bhutan. Thimphu is modern in age only: new buildings are still based on traditional designs with elaborately painted trefoil-shaped windows and nailless wooden frames. Among its sights are the Memorial Chorten (dedicated to the king’s late father Jigme Dorji Wangchuck) and the Tashicho Dzong a 350-year-old structure built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and refurbished in 1961 to house government departments and ministries.

The king’s throne room is in this Dzong. As the nation’s largest monastery it is the summer quarters of 2 000 monks and the Je Khenpo, the spiritual leader and head of the monk body. Next to the Dzong is Thimphu's only golf course. Also in town are the Changgankha Monastery and the early-17th-century Simtokha Dzong (fortress-turned-university of the Buddhist studies).

Paro

Paro is the airport of Bhutan and your most probable point of entry. It's not a bad place to start: the valley is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. Among the sights are the Ta Dzong temple the Rinchen Pung Dzong temple and the Dungtse Lhakhang temple. Paro market has an interesting market, held in the weekend, where you can see local produce being sold.

Bumthang

Located in the east-central part of the country this small town is surrounded by heavenly apple groves (the juice is fantastic). Bumthang is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan. It has very beautiful undulating landscapes with many fruit trees and temples. Bumthang is in the area where Buddhism first took hold in Bhutan. The town has several temples including Kuje Lhakhang (dating from the 8th century) Jampey Lhakhang (associated with Guru Rimpoche who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet) and Jakar Dzong (which alone makes Bumthang worth a one-night stop). There are two interesting festivals—Tamshing Phala and Thangbi Mani—in late September. It is located to the east of Thimphu

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