Bhutan Discovery

The National Institute for Zorig Chusum, located in Thimphu and Trashi Yangtse, was founded in 1971 by the Government of Bhutan to preserve and promote Bhutan’s traditional arts. The term "Zorig Chusum" means "Thirteen Crafts," reflecting the institute’s comprehensive instruction in Bhutan's traditional skills: Painting (Lhazo), Sculpting (Jinzo), Wood Carving (Shagzo), Calligraphy (Yigzo), Paper Making (Dezo), Bronze Casting (Lugzo), Embroidery (Tshemazo), Weaving (Thagzo), Carpentry (Parzo), Masonry (Dozo), Bamboo and Cane Work (Tshazo), Gold and Silversmithing (Trozo), and Blacksmithing (Garzo).

These crafts were formalized in the 17th century under Desi Tenzin Rabgye, incorporating religious and administrative practices developed by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who defined Bhutan’s unique cultural identity. Influenced by Buddhism, Zorig Chusum became deeply embedded in Bhutanese tradition, serving not only as utilitarian and decorative arts but as symbols conveying cultural values.

At the institute, students undergo 4- to 6-year training, and their handcrafted items can be seen and purchased in Thimphu’s markets.

The Ta Dzong, now the National Museum of Bhutan, is a unique cylindrical structure shaped like a conch shell. Built in 1649 by Langonpa Tendzin Drugpa, the first Governor of Paro and half-brother of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it served originally as a watchtower to guard Paro Rinpung Dzong against invasions. Its strategic location right above the fortress provided an ideal vantage point.

In the past, the dzong served as the center of both state administration and spiritual life in the Paro Valley. The watchtower's design includes six spiral floors descending from the top, with stone walls two and a half meters thick. During its time as a watchtower, it not only accommodated soldiers but also held prisoners of war.

In the 1950s, the Bhutanese government undertook a complete renovation of the building to adapt it as a museum for the national collections. It opened to the public in 1968.

Today, the museum includes the main Ta Dzong building with six floors of exhibits and a secondary exhibition space in a modern structure located uphill. The ground floor offers a flexible gallery space for temporary and rotating exhibits.

The National Library of Bhutan, established in 1967 under Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden’s patronage, began with a small collection of sacred texts housed in the central tower of Trashichhodzong. As the collection grew, it was relocated to Thimphu’s Changangkha area. Recognizing the need for a suitable, permanent home, Home Minister Lyonpo Tamzhing Jagar led the construction of the current four-story, eight-sided building, designed in the style of a dzong’s central tower to honor Bhutanese tradition.

Inaugurated and consecrated as a lhakhang (temple) on November 23, 1984, by Lyonpo Sangye Penjor and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the building was fully funded by the Royal Government of Bhutan at a cost of Nu.3 million. This traditional structure now serves as the library's permanent home, housing Bhutan’s precious religious and cultural texts in a spiritually appropriate setting.

The Great Buddha Dordenma is a monumental statue of Shakyamuni Buddha located in the mountains overlooking Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. Built to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the statue also honors Bhutan’s monarchical centennial. Constructed at a height of 177 feet (54 meters), it is one of the world’s largest Buddha statues, containing over 125,000 smaller gilded Buddha statues inside—100,000 measuring 8 inches and 25,000 measuring 12 inches—all made of bronze and gilded in gold.

Situated on the historic site of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of the 13th Druk Desi, Sherab Wangchuk, the statue overlooks the southern approach to Thimphu. Construction began in 2006 and concluded in September 2015, costing over $47 million, funded largely by Singaporean businessman Rinchen Peter Teo. In total, the project exceeded $100 million.

The Great Buddha Dordenma fulfills two ancient prophecies. In the 20th century, yogi Sonam Zangpo predicted that a large statue would be built in this area to bring blessings and peace to the world, while Guru Rinpoche's ancient terma also referenced such a statue in the region.

Surrounding the statue is the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, opened in 2011, which preserves 943 acres of forest and includes outdoor gymnasiums introduced in 2015, offering a tranquil setting for both reflection and recreation.

Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s largest fortress, dominates a ridge over the Mangdi Chuu River and historically served as the seat of power for central and eastern Bhutan. Strategically located, it controlled the only route between east and west, establishing the authority of the Trongsa Penlop (Governor), a role all Bhutanese kings assume before ascending to the throne. This imposing structure, visible from afar, is a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, with multi-level buildings cascading down the hillside.

Trongsa Dzong is also the site of the vibrant annual Trongsa Festival, held in December or January. Now the administrative center of Trongsa District, the Dzong remains a central symbol of Bhutan’s history and heritage.

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.

Perched majestically above the Punakha valley, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten stands as a stunning example of Bhutanese art and architecture. Built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, this chorten serves not as a place for communal worship or education, but as a spiritual tool to ward off negative forces and promote peace for all living beings.

The chorten's intricate golden spire and elaborate wall patterns reflect Bhutan’s rich artistic traditions. From its top, visitors can enjoy serene views of a Bodhi tree, lush gardens, prayer wheels, and a small temple housing a peaceful Sakyamuni Buddha.

Inside, visitors encounter a grand 15- to 20-foot sculpture of Vajrakilaya, Bhutan’s most powerful protective deity, with 103 vivid 3D forms emerging from his main figure. This multi-layered deity exemplifies the complex, balanced beauty of Bhutanese spiritual art. Further shrines display other wrathful deities, their intense energies transformed by their consorts, illustrating the harmony between wrath and acceptance.

A final staircase leads to the roof, where a golden Sakyamuni Buddha greets visitors, providing a moment of peace and breathtaking views—a perfect photography spot. Reaching the chorten requires a scenic one-hour hike through rice paddies, pine forests, and over an ancient-style suspension bridge. This path, lined with traditional irrigation channels and prayer wheels, offers panoramic views of Punakha valley, making the journey as memorable as the destination.

The Tower of Trongsa (Ta Dzong) is a historic watchtower-turned-museum that overlooks Trongsa Dzong and showcases Bhutan’s rich monarchical and cultural history. The museum’s five floors display treasured artifacts, including Ngagi Wangchuk’s 500-year-old jacket, a replica of the Raven Crown, the second king's saddle, and a radio gifted by American Burt Todd, Bhutan’s first foreign visitor in the 1950s.

Notable exhibits include a copy of the *Padma Kathang*, Guru Rinpoche’s biography, and a 1926 document pledging loyalty to the monarchy. The top-floor Gesar Lhakhang honors Jigme Namgyal, the 19th-century Trongsa penlop. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views from the rooftop, a ground-floor cafe, and a souvenir shop.

Note: Photos are not allowed in the museum; lockers are available at the entrance.

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.

Jampa Temple, also known as Jampé Lhakhang or the Temple of Maitreya, is an ancient and revered temple in Bumthang, Bhutan. Built in 659 CE, it is one of 108 temples constructed by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in a single day to subdue a demoness believed to be obstructing the spread of Buddhism. These temples, spread across Tibet, Bhutan, and nearby regions, were placed on various points of the demoness's body.

Among the most significant of these temples are Jokhang in Lhasa, Kichu in Paro, and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang. Other temples in Bhutan, such as Könchogsum in Bumthang, Khaine in Lhuntse, and two in Haa District, are thought to be part of this original group, though many have been lost over time.

Jambay Lhakhang holds particular historical and spiritual importance, having been visited by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and later restored by King Sindhu Raja. It has undergone various repairs and reconstructions over centuries, preserving its legacy as one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred sites.

Membartsho, or "Burning Lake," in Bhutan's Tang Valley near Bumthang, is a sacred site where Pema Lingpa, Bhutan’s renowned tertön (treasure revealer), discovered hidden teachings, or *terma*, of Guru Rinpoche in the 15th century. According to legend, Pema Lingpa had a vision of a temple beneath the lake and famously proved his authenticity by diving in and returning with treasure and a still-lit lamp.

This serene site is a revered *Ney*, or powerful spiritual place, known for its tranquil energy. Dr. Karma Phuntsho describes Ney as places where spiritual energies aid in deepening practice, attracting seekers. Enlightened beings are believed to see the hidden temple below. Pema Lingpa prophesied the creation of a learning center for women in the Tang Valley, now realized by Pema Tekchok Choling Nunnery, Bhutan’s first Buddhist university for women, established in 2000 by Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche.

Membartsho is decorated with *tsatsas*—sacred clay offerings. However, visitors must exercise caution due to slippery rocks and a strong current; since 2011, five people, including a tourist and guide, have drowned here. The nunnery’s caretakers maintain offerings, adding to the lake’s enduring spiritual allure.

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.

Chendebji Chorten, an 18th-century stupa located 41 km west of Trongsa at 2,430 meters altitude, is a revered site in Bhutan. Built by Lam Oensey Tshering Wangchuk in the Nepalese style of the Boudhanath stupa, it was constructed to subdue the demon Ngala, believed to be entombed beneath it. This chorten is part of the Chorten Lam, a sacred path connecting Bhutan’s chortens, and includes a prayer wall, or mani stone, adding to its spiritual ambiance.

Every year, from the 21st to the 25th day of the ninth lunar month, a festival is held here, attracting pilgrims and visitors to celebrate its historical and religious significance.

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.

Kila Goenpa Nunnery, also called Chele La Goenpa, is located along the scenic route between Paro and Haa, close to Bhutan’s Chele La Pass and approximately 27 km from Paro’s Bondey area. The word "Kila" means "spiritual dagger" in Sanskrit, representing a tool to dispel negativity. A short 2.5 km detour off the main road near the pass leads to the nunnery, accessible by car or on foot.

The nunnery, perched on a tranquil mountaintop at an altitude of 3,500 meters, offers the resident nuns a peaceful life closely connected to nature and away from urban bustle. The complex includes seven small temples and numerous retreat huts. Visitors can reach the site via a one-hour hike through pine forests or take an alternative trail from Chele La Pass, which leads down to the nunnery in about 1-2 hours.

The nunnery has roots in the 16th century when Tibetan figures Chhogyel Norbu and Tenpa began its construction under the name Kila Dechen Yangtse. They invited their uncle, Pow Dorji, who meditated in a cave still visible today. Together, they helped spread Buddhism across Bhutan. Later, Je Jampel Sherub Gyeltshen added a temple within the nunnery to further educate the Paro Valley community in Buddhist teachings. In the 19th century, the reincarnation of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Ngawang Jigme Norbu, served as the monastery’s head and led a renovation that helped preserve its rich historical architecture.

Chele La, or Chele Pass, is Bhutan’s highest motorable pass, reaching an elevation of 3,988 meters (13,083 feet) above sea level. Situated on the Bondey-Haa Highway, it connects the Paro and Haa valleys, located 35 km from Paro and 26 km from Haa. Constructed in the 1990s, the narrow and winding road features sharp turns and steep drops, making winter travel risky due to snow, ice, and avalanche potential.

Just below the pass, an area once used by the Bhutan Logging Corporation served as the film location for *Travellers & Magicians* by Khyentse Norbu, where the crew fortified the buildings with steel sheets for filming. Chele La is part of the scenic Himalayan range, offering expansive views over Bhutan’s rugged landscape.

Paro Taktsang Goemba, or the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, is perhaps Bhutan’s most famous monastery, dramatically perched on a cliffside, 3,000 feet above Paro Valley. Nestled among a forest of blue pine and rhododendrons, the monastery is steeped in legend. It is said that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) arrived here on the back of a tigress, a manifestation of his consort Yeshe Tsogyal, to subdue the demon Singye Samdrup. Following this, he meditated in a cave at the site for three years.

Guru Padmasambhava, revered as the figure who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan, is considered the country’s spiritual protector. Paro Taktsang is the most famous of the thirteen “tiger lair” caves where he meditated. Each year, a festival called Tsechu, held in March or April, celebrates Padmasambhava’s life and legacy in Paro Valley.

The main temple, or Lhakhang, was constructed in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, the Governor (Penlop) of Paro, around the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated.

The Ta Dzong, now the National Museum of Bhutan, is a unique cylindrical structure shaped like a conch shell. Built in 1649 by Langonpa Tendzin Drugpa, the first Governor of Paro and half-brother of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it served originally as a watchtower to guard Paro Rinpung Dzong against invasions. Its strategic location right above the fortress provided an ideal vantage point.

In the past, the dzong served as the center of both state administration and spiritual life in the Paro Valley. The watchtower's design includes six spiral floors descending from the top, with stone walls two and a half meters thick. During its time as a watchtower, it not only accommodated soldiers but also held prisoners of war.

In the 1950s, the Bhutanese government undertook a complete renovation of the building to adapt it as a museum for the national collections. It opened to the public in 1968.

Today, the museum includes the main Ta Dzong building with six floors of exhibits and a secondary exhibition space in a modern structure located uphill. The ground floor offers a flexible gallery space for temporary and rotating exhibits.

Tachog Lhakhang, or the "Temple of the Hill of the Excellent Horse," was built by the legendary iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo (1385–1464). According to legend, Thangtong Gyalpo had a vision of the spiritual horse Balaha (an emanation of Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara) while meditating here, inspiring him to construct the temple. Known as a visionary engineer, Thangtong Gyalpo introduced iron chain suspension bridges in the 15th century, influencing bridge design in Asia and Europe.

Nestled at the base of a mountain, Tachog Lhakhang holds sacred relics, including statues of Buddha, Zhabdrung, Guru Padmasambhava, and Avalokiteshvara, as well as ancient texts and Thangtong Gyalpo’s walking stick. The temple is maintained by his descendants, who allow visitors upon request. The surrounding area features apple and orange trees, as well as rescued cattle.

A highlight of visiting Tachog Lhakhang is crossing the historic iron suspension bridge. Originally built in 1420, it was washed away in 1969 and later restored in 2005. Many visitors enjoy the exhilarating experience of crossing this bridge.

Located along the Paro-Thimphu highway, just after Isuna village, Tachog Lhakhang is a 10-minute walk from the main road. The area is popular for its scenic views and peaceful ambiance, offering great photography opportunities and a chance to spot rafters along the Pa Chhu river.