Himalayan Holidays Nepal

Places of Touristic Importance in Bhutan

• Paro
  Paro valley is one of the most populated areas in the whole country. Because of its proximity to the airport, there are hotels and tourist facilities close to the airstrip. The valley of Paro contains a wealth of attraction and requires a few days to be properly explored. A flight with Druk Air, the country 's only airline, over the young fold of mountains is an exhilarating experience and many visitors bear a lasting impression of authenticity from the moment they board to the time they land amidst the paddy fields in Paro. The Drugyel Dzong meaning victorious fortress was built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian warlord Cushri Khan in 1644. The Drong although in ruins still attracts tourists even today.
• Thimphu
  The most unusual capital city in the world is a bustling town on the banks of a river and set gloriously in the hills of its own valley. A regal town, Thimphu is home to the Bhutanese Royal family and to several foreign missions and development projects. The capital city has a population of 45,000. Five miles from Thimphu stands the Simtokha Dzong on a lofty ridge, the Shabdrung built first Dzong in 1629. The Tashichhodzong, the main secretariat building houses the throne of His Majesty the king of Bhutan, and is the country’s administrative headquarters. The legislative body, "The National Assembly" lies deep in the valley in all its grandeur. Around the valley are several other interesting places like the Dechenphodrang, a school for monks. The Thimphu memorial chorten was built in 1974, in memory of the late king Jingme Dorji Wangchuk, and the National library. Further up the valley lies the Pangri Zampa temple in Dehcencholing built by the great grandfather of the Shabdrung and beyond Dechencholing at the end of the valley is the Tango and Cheri monastery.
• Punakha Dzong
  It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still the residence (winter) of the central monk today. At an altitude 1,350 meters Punakha is much warmer a Thimphu. A sharp curve on the road brings you face to face with the imposing Punakha Dzong, which tells you that you have arrived. The Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung and played an important role as the winter capital state. Way beyond Punakha valley lies the Gasa Dzong, also a splendid piece of architecture.
• Wangdi Phodrang(ELEVATION 1300 M)
  The Dzong is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers and provides an impressive view over all the directions. Wangdi is known to be the home of the black-necked crane an endangered species, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau in winter. There are 250 – 300 cranes living here.
• Gangtey
  This small village on the edge of the black mountain is famous for its monastery of gomchens and the black-necked cranes (grus nigricolis), which fly in from Tibet during the winter and return in spring.
• Tongsa
  At an altitude of 2200m. is the central hub of the nation. A small town but significant as the ancestral home of Bhutan 's Royal family. The Dzong, a massive frame on a spur that sticks out into the Mangde River.
• Bumthang
  No where, other than in Bumthang a beautiful valley in Central Bhutan, one can find as many temples and monasteries as else where. The valley is wide and open and the hills slope gently unlike other districts. The renowned Kurji, and the Jampa Lhakhang also built by Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, are located here. The famous Yathra fabrics, woven out of sheep wool, for jackets are widely available in Bumthang. Wangdicholing, the palace where the first king was born lies just below the Jakar Dzong, or Dzong of the "White Bird".
• Lhuntsi
  The people of Lhuntsi are known to possess great weaving talent. It is believed that this remote Dzongkhag is actually the place of the origin of the Wangchuk lineage. Despite its remoteness the Dzong and the people are worth visiting.
• Tashigang
  This is the largest district in eastern Bhutan. Although the town is very small and in a hole it can bewitch travellers. The Dzong, built by the Desi Minjuri Tempa on a jutting spur is built in such a way that it comes into view of the travellers from any directions way before one arrives to the town.
• Tashi Yangtse
  This district borders the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. On the way to Tashi Yangtse, one can pay a visit to Goma Kora monastery where Guru Rinpoche meditated to subdue a demon. A road further leads to Tashi Yangtse district where you can visit the famous Chorten Kora (stupa) and a monastery.
• Phuntsholing
  Bhutan 's gateway to the south is a thriving commercial center right next to the plains of India. You may begin your journey of discovery from here as you wind your way slowly on the Himalayan Highway towards Thimphu.