Thimphu Tshechu Festival

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Tango Monastery, located 14 kilometers north of Thimphu near Cheri Mountain, was founded in the 13th century by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and rebuilt in 1688 by Tenzin Rabgye. The monastery, named for the “horse head” deity Hayagriva, whom it enshrines, is a key site in the Drukpa Kagyu Buddhist tradition. Known for its distinctive 12-sided design, the complex includes meditation caves, sacred statues, and six main temples housing deities like the large Buddha crafted by Panchen Deva and relics of Bhutanese saints.

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal meditated at Tango, securing it as a spiritual refuge in the 17th century. Today, the monastery is a monastic school and a revered pilgrimage site, with panoramic terraces and historic murals, serving as the residence of Bhutan’s 7th Tri Rinpoche.

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.

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.

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.

Simtokha Dzong, located about 5 km south of Thimphu on the old road to Paro and Phuentsholing, was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras), its name, Simtokha, is derived from the legend of a demoness vanishing into a stone (simmo for demoness and do for stone). The site was strategically significant, guarding the Thimphu Valley and routes to Dochu La and eastern Bhutan.

Often cited as the first dzong built by the Zhabdrung, Simtokha Dzong uniquely combines both monastic and administrative functions and is the oldest surviving dzong in Bhutan. The fortress endured attacks during its construction from Tibetan forces and rival Bhutanese lamas opposed to the Zhabdrung, with later control regained by the Zhabdrung after a fire tragically defeated the invaders.

Restored and expanded by the third desi, Mingyur Tenpa, in the 1670s, Simtokha Dzong has been updated multiple times. Its fortress-like design includes murals of the four guardian kings near the entrance and a three-storey utse (central tower). The courtyard’s prayer wheels are surrounded by over 300 slate carvings of saints. The main chapel, adorned with ancient murals, houses a central Sakyamuni statue, eight bodhisattvas, and vibrant dhvaja (victory banners).

In the western chapel, visitors can see statues of Chenresig, green and white Taras, and a rare painting of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. In the eastern goenkhang (protector chapel), artifacts like tiger tails and guns honor the guardians Mahakala and Pelden Lhamo.

Drukgyal Dzong, also known as Drukgyel, is a historic fortress and Buddhist monastery located in the upper Paro District of Bhutan. Built in 1649 by Tenzin Drukdra at the request of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it commemorates Bhutan’s victory over a Tibetan invasion. Named "The fortress of the victorious Drukpas," Drukgyal Dzong symbolized the Bhutanese identity, as "Drukpa" refers to the people of Bhutan. Nearby lies a local temple with a central image of Tara, worshipped by the people of Phangdo.

In the early 1950s, a fire severely damaged Drukgyal Dzong, reducing it to ruins, but much of the stone and rammed-earth walls remain, showcasing its historical defensive function. In 2016, to celebrate the birth of Bhutan’s Gyalsey (Crown Prince) and commemorate the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1616 and Guru Rinpoche's birth year, Prime Minister Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay announced plans to restore the dzong.

Though missing many wooden elements, the remaining structure clearly reflects its original design, allowing visitors to appreciate its medieval fortress architecture. Drukgyal Dzong is also on Bhutan’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage inclusion.

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.

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.