Paro International Airport, Bhutan
Paro is a town situated in western Bhutan which is 50km away from Bhutan's capital city-Thimphu. Paro is the gateway for tourists to enter Bhutan as it is where the only international airport is located. Paro is also famous for the landmark of Bhutan- the Tiger's Nest (Paro Takhtsang, Takhtsang Lakhang). In Paro, you can spend 2 or 3 days exploring its places of interest like Tiger's Nest Monastery, Kyichu Lhakhang, Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge, National Museum of Bhutan, Paro Dzong, Dobji Dzong... Here are some places to visit for your Paro tour in Bhutan.
Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang Goemba, Takhtsang Lakhang, Paro Taktshang), first built in 1692, is the iconic landmark of Bhutan. As a world cultural heritage, it is sited on the side of a cliff at a height of 900m above the Paro valley. It is said that Guru Rinpoche (a Buddhist saint) rode a tigress to the current site of the monastery and meditated in a cave for 3 years 3 months and 3 days. Now it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bhutan and a sacred religious site for Bhutanese to pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.
Tiger's Nest, Paro of Bhutan
Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries that marks the beginning of Buddhism in Bhutan. It was built in 659AD by King Songtsen Gompo (Tibetan Emperor) as one of the 108 monasteries he made. In 1971 a Guru Temple was added by Her Majesty Azhi Keshang Choden Wangchuck, the wife of the Third King of Bhutan. You can see the original 7th-century Jowo Sakyamuni Statue (the same era as the one in Lhasa's Jokhang Temple) and Chenrezig with 11 heads and 1000 arms there. There is also a magical orange tree outside the courtyard that is said to bear fruits all year round.
Kyichu Lhakang, Paro of Bhutan
Tamchog Lhakhang (Tachog Lhakhang, Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge) is located by the Paro river on the way to Thimphu from Paro. To get to the temple we must walk across a unique iron chain bridge with colorful fluttering prayer flags. Both the Lhakhang and the iron bridge are built by the saint Thangthong Gyalpo (1385-1464, Tibetan polymath). As the "King of the Empty Plain", Thangthong Gyalpo is now commonly known as the "Iron Bridge Maker". Enjoy his pioneering old-aged buildings left till today.
Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge, Paro of Bhutan
The National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong) is famed as Bhutan's tallest building (a cylindrical structure), which is 22 meters (72 feet) high and has 6 floors. It was completed in 1649 as a watchtower on the hill above the Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong). It was converted into the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968 with a rich collection of ancient artifacts like pottery, armor, thangkas, masks, stamps, photos, statues, costumes, relics, stone axes, and religious paintings...
Ta Dzong, Paro of Bhutan
Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), the "fortress of the heap of jewels", is built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is located near the crystalline Paro Chu (Paro River). Through a traditional wooden cantilever bridge, we can reach it to get panoramic views of the Paro Valley. As the office of the district administration and monastic body of Bhutan, the annual religious festival Paro Tsechu also takes place in its courtyard.
Rinpung Dzong, Paro of Bhutan
Dobji Dzong is considered to be the first model Dzong in Bhutan which looms magnificently on a hilltop. The Dzong was built in 1531 by Ngawang Chogyal, the brother of Chojie Drukpa Kuenley, who is popularly known as the“Divine Madman”. Legend has it that Ngawang Chogyal has followed the spring originating below the throne of Jetsun Milarepa in Tibet.
Dobji Dzong, Paro of Bhutan
Sure, besides Tiger's Nest, Kyichu Lhakhang, Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge, National Museum of Bhutan, Paro Dzong, there is more for you to visit around Paro.Welcome to tell us the Paro Top Destinations in your eyes.
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