Bhutan Birding

Rinpung Dzong, meaning "fortress on the heap of jewels," was constructed in 1644 under the directive of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Renowned as one of Bhutan’s most impressive dzongs, it exemplifies traditional Bhutanese architecture. Its inward-sloping walls create a formidable structure that stands high over the town, visible from vantage points throughout the valley as a striking white monolith.

Built in 1646, Rinpung Dzong has long been one of Bhutan's strongest and most significant fortresses, often used to protect the Paro Valley from Tibetan invasions. It withstood the 1897 earthquake, but after catching fire in 1907, it was rebuilt in 1908. Historically, it served as the National Assembly's first meeting hall, and today it houses a monastic school and government administrative offices.

Just west of the dzong, down the hill, is the Nyamai Zam, a traditional cantilever timber bridge crossing the Pachu River. An earlier version of the bridge was once dismantled to safeguard the dzong. Visitors can cross this bridge to reach the parking area near Ugyen Pelri Palace, with access to the main Paro market. The Paro Tshechu festival, highly popular with tourists, is also celebrated here.

Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, is among the oldest and most beautiful temples in Bhutan. Located a few kilometers from Paro town, it was established in 659 AD to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress believed to be obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the region.

Originally, Kyichu Lhakhang consisted only of the main shrine, the Jowo Lhakhang, which houses one of the valley’s most revered artifacts—a 7th-century statue of Jowo Sakyamuni. In 1839, additional structures and a golden roof were added by the Paro Penlop and the 25th Je Khenpo.

According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava visited the temple in the 8th century and hid numerous spiritual treasures there, further enhancing its sacred significance.

This prominent white Thimphu Chorten, a major landmark in Thimphu, holds deep significance for Bhutanese, serving as a focal point of daily worship. Built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–72), the Tibetan-style stupa is best visited early in the morning, when elderly devotees quietly circumambulate, families light butter lamps, and schoolchildren in traditional ghos and kiras perform a quick kora (ritual walk around the chorten).

The chorten, with its golden finial catching the sunlight, has richly painted annexes facing each cardinal direction, adorned with elaborate mandalas, statues, and a shrine honoring the beloved king. Activities continue from dawn until after dark, though tourists are advised not to visit at night to allow for uninterrupted local worship. Near the main entrance, dedicated elderly devotees are often seen turning giant prayer wheels, adding to the chorten's vibrant atmosphere.

Tashichho Dzong, known as the "Fortress of the Glorious Religion" or Thimphu Dzong, is an imposing structure that serves as the seat of Bhutan’s government, housing the king’s throne room, the secretariat, and ministries of home affairs and finance. Located near Thimphu town on the banks of the Wang Chhu River, it is surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens and lawns, with thirty temples, chapels, and shrines within its walls.

Originally built in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa as Dho-Ngon (Blue Stone) Dzong, the fortress was later expanded and renamed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1641, establishing it as Tashichho Dzong. Following multiple fires, it was extensively rebuilt by the sixteenth desi, Sonam Lhurup, in 1771 and later renovated by Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in 1962, when Thimphu became the capital. This reconstruction was completed in traditional Bhutanese architectural style, without nails, and was led by Zopen Parpa Yodsel.

Nearby, the Ney Khang Lhakhang tower to the west holds a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and protective deities. Since 1953, the royal family has resided in Dechencholing Palace, located north of the dzong.

The Wolakha Nunnery, also known as Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, is a newly constructed traditional nunnery located on a 1,550-meter hilltop in Punakha, Bhutan, directly opposite the historic Chimi Lhakhang. Though consecrated in 2010, the site, called Omalatsekha, has deep spiritual roots, having been visited by notable Buddhist masters, including Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. In the 1990s, Bhutan’s 69th Je Khenpo, Geshey Gendün Rinchen, predicted that a monastery would rise at this sacred location.

Yab Dasho Ugyen Dorji and Yum Thuiji Zam, the maternal grandparents of Bhutan’s King, petitioned for a large-scale nunnery in this area. With the King’s approval, groundbreaking began on September 11, 2008, and by October 2010, the central statue, an eleven-faced Avalokiteshvara, was completed and consecrated by the 70th Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Chhoeda.

The nunnery, located on the southeastern spur of the mountain that also houses Talo Monastery and Nalanda Buddhist Institute, overlooks the Punakha Valley. The architectural layout includes a central rectangular lhakhang (temple) with perpendicular walls, adorned with a red khemar band and topped with a multi-tiered jabzhi roof. Nearby is a white-washed stupa, modeled after Kathmandu's Bodnath Stupa, ringed with niches depicting 84 mahasiddhis, 16 arhats, and prominent figures of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. Surrounding these structures are dormitories and facilities supporting about 170 resident nuns, fostering both spiritual practice and traditional education in Bhutan’s monastic landscape.

Punakha Dzong, often hailed as Bhutan's most beautiful fortress, is especially enchanting in spring when the blooming lilac jacaranda trees enhance its whitewashed walls. Built in 1637, it served as Bhutan's capital until the 1950s and remains the winter residence of the monastic body. Known for its historical and religious significance, this dzong is where Bhutan’s kings are crowned.

Legend says Guru Rinpoche predicted the dzong’s location at the “trunk” of an elephant-shaped hill at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers. Initially, a smaller structure, Dzong Chung, housed a Buddha statue here in 1326. Expanded in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Punakha Dzong is named Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, meaning Palace of Great Happiness.

The dzong spans 180 meters in length and 72 meters in width, featuring a six-story central tower (utse) crowned by a gold dome. With three courtyards, it is unique among Bhutan’s dzongs, containing sacred relics, including the Rangjung Kharsapani, a revered image of Chenresig central to the annual dromchoe festival.

Visitors enter via the Bazam bridge, rebuilt in 2008. Defensive features include steep wooden stairs designed to retract and a massive wooden door closed each night. Noteworthy areas include the kunrey (assembly hall) with exquisite murals and gold statues of Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, and the Zhabdrung. To the north, Dzong Chung offers blessings from a Sakyamuni statue, while nearby lie a royal palace and a cremation ground. Punakha Dzong remains a vibrant symbol of Bhutan's spiritual and cultural heritage.

Gangteng Monastery, also known as Gangtey Gonpa, is a revered Nyingmapa Buddhist monastery in Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley, Wangdue Phodrang District, established in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinley, a descendant of Terton Pema Lingpa. Known for its unique location on a ridge above the Phobjikha Valley, the monastery is surrounded by the Black Mountains and welcomes the migratory black-necked cranes each winter, adding to its spiritual allure.

The monastery underwent a major restoration from 2000 to 2008, preserving its historic architecture and cultural significance. Today, it serves as a vibrant center with temples, monk quarters, a monastic college, and hosts the annual Tsechu festival, renowned for traditional mask dances. Gangteng Monastery remains a key spiritual and cultural site, attracting pilgrims and visitors from Bhutan and beyond.

Jakar Dzong, also known as Jakar Yugyal Dzong, is a historic fortress in Bumthang District, central Bhutan. Overlooking Jakar town in the scenic Chamkhar Valley, this dzong is one of Bhutan’s largest, with a circumference over 1,500 meters. Founded by Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk in 1549, the dzong’s location was chosen based on a legendary white bird’s auspicious roosting, giving it the name “castle of the white bird.”

Built as a spiritual center and defensive fortress, Jakar Dzong played a significant role in eastern Bhutan’s history. It became the residence of Bhutan’s first king in 1646 and was officially named Yuelay Namgyal Dzong to commemorate a victory over the Tibetan ruler Phuntsho Namgyal. During the 17th century, Tibetan forces twice attempted to conquer the dzong, damaging it, though it was later restored by the Trongsa Penlop. Sanctified by Tenzin Rabgay, Jakar Dzong remains a symbol of Bhutan’s cultural heritage and spiritual resilience. Its first Dzongpon, Longwa, was believed to be the reincarnation of King Sindhu Gyab, fulfilling a prophecy by Guru Rinpoche.