Tashichho Dzong(Thimphu Dzong), Bhutan
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan which is situated in the western central part of Bhutan. Thimphu is just an hour's drive from Paro. It is the largest city in Bhutan and is considered the country's most modern city. Actually, the original capital was Punakha but it became Thimphu official in 1961. With amazing nature and deep Buddhist culture, Thimphu is also famed as the only national capital city in the world to not have any traffic lights. In Thimphu, you can spend 2 or 3 days exploring its places of interest like the Buddha Dordenma Statue, National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), Folk Heritage Museum, School for Arts and Crafts, Bhutan Post Office Headquarters, Simtokha Dzong, Takin Sanctuary, Zilukha Nunnery... Here are some places to visit for your Thimphu tour in Bhutan.
Buddha Dordenma Statue(Kuenselphodrang, Buddha Point) is a landmark of Thimphu city and you can have a great view of the Thimphu Valley there. With 51.5m in height, built of bronze and gilded in gold, the statue is famed as the largest sitting Shakyamuni statue in the world and there are 125,000 smaller Buddha statues placed within it. The statue was finished in 2015(built for 9 years) to fulfill an ancient prophecy to emanate an aura of happiness and peace all over the world.
Buddha Dordenma Statue, Thimphu of Bhutan
National Memorial Chorten is the most visited landmark of Thimphu which was built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk(the Father of Modern Bhutan) by his mother. Due to the idea of Jigme Dorji, this stupa is dedicated to world peace and prosperity. It is a Tibetan-style chorten with amazing paintings and brilliant sculptures, you can see the classical stupa pattern like the pyramidal pillar crowned by a crescent moon and sun. It is also a good place to meet local Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day in a clockwise direction for praying.
National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu of Bhutan
Tashichho Dzong(Thimphu Dzong) is located on the right side of the Wangchu River in the northern part of Thimphu city. As the " Fortress of the glorious religion", it houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, government offices, and the central monk body. Thimphu Dzong was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. There are two main entrances in the Tashichho Dzong. One leads to the administrative section to the south and the other one (to the north) leads to the monastic quarter where festivals and dances are performed.
Tashichho Dzong(Thimphu Dzong)
Bhutan Post Office Headquarters(General Post Office) is located near Changlam Square in Thimphu. It is home to the world's largest photo book and the most interesting collection of Bhutanese stamps. Only in this post office, you can get your personalized stamps (the stamp of your face). Great surprise to send your family and friends a postcard with your face on the stamp! (Open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00 during Summer and 9:00 to 16:00 during Winter. Do note that it is closed for lunch from 13:00 to 14:00).
Bhutan Post Office Headquarters,Thimphu
Motithang Takin Preserve(Takin Sanctuary, Takin Zoo) is a wildlife reserve area for Takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. Drukpa Kunley (Divine Madman), the famous Tibetan saint, is said to be responsible for the creation of this unique creature called Takin which has the head of a goat and the body of a cow.
Motithang Takin Preserve, Thimphu of Bhutan
Folk Heritage Museum(Phelchey Toenkhyim) was established on July 28th, 2001 with the initiative of Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan). It is set inside a three-storied, 19th-century traditional house and provides visitors with a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, artifacts from rural households, collection of typical household objects, tools, and equipment. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits, and customs as well as hosts educational programs for children.
Folk Heritage Museum, Thimphu of Bhutan
School of Arts and Crafts(Thimphu National Institute for Zorig Chusum), established by the Government of Bhutan in 1971, is an institute that nurtures exemplary craftsmanship in Zorig Chusum (13 Arts and Crafts). In the Institute, thirteen skills are taught to students. These thirteen art forms are Traditional Painting (Lhazo), Sculpturing (Jinzo), Wood Carving (Shagzo), Calligraphy (Yigzo), Papermaking (Dezo), Bronze Casting (Lugzo), Embroidery (Tshemazo), Weaving (Thagzo), Carpentry (Parzo), Masonry (Dozo), Bamboo and cane weaving (Tshazo), Gold/Silver Smithy (Trozo), Black smithy (Garzo).
Thimphu National Institute for Zorig Chusum
The National Library of Bhutan (NLB) was established in 1967 with the primary objective of collecting and preserving mainly ancient Bhutanese written and printed resources. It accommodates a large and steadily growing collection of manuscripts, books, scriptures, and written documents as well as a large number of hand-carved wooden blocks for printing traditional religious books. The library houses the national archives of Bhutan along with Tibetan and Bhutanese texts and manuscripts. There are photo frames of historical incidents hanging on the wall, which are also quite fascinating. The place is tranquil, and you can find yourself engrossed in reading about Bhutanese history here.
National Library of Bhutan, Thimphu
Tango Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located 14 kilometers north of the capital city of Thimphu in Bhutan. It was founded by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo in the 13th century and built in its present form by Tenzin Rabgye, the 4th Temporal Ruler in 1688. With its teaching and amazing hiking route, Tango Monastery has been a must-visit place in Bhutan and a favored sightseeing place in Thimphu for both pilgrims and travelers.
Tango Monastery, Thimphu of Bhutan
Simtokha Dzong(Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang) was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan. It is the first of its kind built in Bhutan. Simtokha Dzong in the Bhutanese language meaning: "Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras" is a small dzong. It is an important historical monument and former Buddhist monastery, today it houses one of the premier Dzongkha language learning institutes.
Simtokha Dzong, Thimphu of Bhutan
Zilukha Nunnery(Drubthob Goemba Monastery) lies on the slopes of Thimphu and is above the Golf Course. Founded in 1976 by Rikel Jadren, an emanation of Thangthong Gyalpo from Tibet, it was designed in traditional Bhutanese fashion. Houses with around 70 nuns, it is the biggest nunnery in Bhutan. A visit to the site can give you good chance to know about their lifestyle and get a nice view of the Tashichho Dzong.
Zilukha Nunnery, Thimphu of Bhutan
Changangkha Lhakhang is an ancient fortress-like temple built in the 12th century which is visited by a large number of locals daily. It is strategically located on a ridge above the city of Thimphu, southeast of Motithang. Traditionally, Bhutan parents used to visit Changangkha Lhakhang to get auspicious names for their newborn babies or blessing for their young kids from the protector known as Deity Tamdrin. The parents usually bring incense, whiskey, biscuits, and sacks of snacks as an offering. You will be lucky to witness an excellent event if your visit coincides with a Buddhist ceremony. The temple also offers an amazing view of Thimphu from the courtyard. Coronation Park (Centenary Park) is located in Thimphu on the banks of the Wangchu River. It was built to honor King His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and was inaugurated by Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck on 26th September 2006. There is a 45 feet tall statue of a walking Buddha. The park has over sixty species of flowers and trees, cute swings and slides, a mini basketball court, and a small sand football ground. It is a popular picnic spot for Bhutan people from young to old.
Changangkha Lhakhang, Thimphu of Bhutan
Sure, besides Buddha Dordenma Statue, National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), Folk Heritage Museum, School for Arts and Crafts, Bhutan Post Office Headquarters, Simtokha Dzong, Takin Sanctuary, Zilukha Nunnery... there is more for you to visit around Thimphu. Welcome to tell us the Thimphu Top Destinations in your eyes.
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