Bhutanese Unique Landscapes and Stunning Locations.
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Bhutan is the last Himalayan kingdom landlocked with China in the north and India in the south, surrounded by the Himalayas. Bhutan has one of the most unique landscapes with remarkable fortresses and monasteries located in Asia; Bhutan is notable in flora and fauna diversity.
Over 75% of the population follows Vajrayana Buddhism, Buddhism plays a vital role in the country and is the cultural legacy of the country and its people, being a Buddhist country Bhutan has plenty of places to visit with rich religious and historic background.
Bhutan is divided into 20 dzongkhags/ districts each consisting various customs and landmarks unique to their own. Dzongkha is the national language of the country, schools in Bhutan are taught in Dzongkha and English. Apart from those two languages Bhutan has several spoken dialects used across the nation.
Following are the top 9 attractions in Bhutan:
Thimphu Valley
Buddha Dordenma Statue
Paro Valley
Taktsang Monastery
Chelela Pass
Punakha Dzong/Fortress
Phobjikha Valley
Jhomolhari
Jigme Dorji National Park
1) Thimphu Valley
Thimphu is located in the western region of the country and is the capital of Bhutan. In addition to being the capital, Thimphu is known for its Buddhist sites like the National Memorial Chorten, Semtokha Dzong and the Buddha Dordenma Statue located on hills of Thimphu valley.
During the daytime you could go for hikes around the capital to get away from town to experience the pristine hills & mountains and fresh air with remarkable views.
Aside from these sacred religious sites and hiking there are also restaurants like Babesa Village Restaurant and Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant where you are able to experience the authentic Bhutanese cuisines owned and operated by locals.
Nightlife in Thimphu offers various nightclubs, karaoke, driving to the “IT” spots located around Thimphu for after parties, and of course bars and eateries.
2) Buddha Dordenma Statue
The Buddha Dordenma statue which is located in Kuensel Phodrang, Thimphu is one of the largest in the world sitting at 169 feet and contains hundred thousand (100,000) eight inch tall bronze Buddha and twenty five thousand (25000) twelve inch tall Buddha.
The Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, popularly know as Buddha Point, covers over 900 acres of forest area and houses two public outdoor gym areas.
It takes less than 20 minutes to reach the Buddha Dordenma Statue from the heart of Thimphu via car. Hike and walking options are available at the location with stunning and rewarding view of northern Thimphu and southern parts of Thimphu. All in all you get a birds eye view of Thimphu.
3) Paro Valley
Paro, one of the dzongkhag of Bhutan is situated on the western region of Bhutan and is home to Bhutan’s only international airport (Paro International Airport) and is also home to many scared sites and historical buildings.
Right off the plane you can see the paddy fields that surrounds the airport with farmers tending to their crops endlessly. Many houses around the airport are traditional homes constructed mainly from mud and stones that were available when they were built.
Main town of Paro has many traditional Bhutanese houses; most of those houses have been turned to cafes and Bhutanese restaurants to attract tourists. Several luxury hotels and resorts are available for tourists in Paro.
Paro is home to historical buildings like the Ta Dzong, Drukyel Dzong, National Museum of Bhutan, Paro Taktsang, Drakarpo, Chelela pass etc.
4) Taktsang Monastery
North of Paro resides Taktsang Monastery, famously known as the Tiger’s Nest is situated on a Cliffside of Paro towering over 2,600 feet above the valley.
Taktsang Monastery was built in 1692. Prior to building the site to a monastery, the great Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated there around the 8th century. Taktsang has a very rich history and holds sacred objects and paintings of Guru and his disciples.
It takes roughly 3 hours from the base to the top by foot; another option to reach the monastery is via a horse ride as there are no other means to get to the holy monastery of Taktsang.
5) Chelela Pass
35km from Paro, Chelela Pass is the highest motor-able point in the whole kingdom and sits at 3,988 meters or 13,083 feet above sea level. The drive to Chelela Pass is through dense larch forest, spotting yaks grazing, painting of Guru on rocks and other stunning views along the way.
Just like the other sites mentioned, Chelela Pass offers hiking and day walks. On a sunny and clear day one can get a glimpse of Jhomolhari Mountain.
6) Punakha Dzong (Fortress)
A 17th Century fortress at the juncture of pho (male) and mo (Female) Chhu River annually hosts a religious masked dance known as Punakha Tshechu. The Royal wedding of 2011 was also held at Punakha Dzong. This district too holds great historical and religious significance thus the dzong has been the venue for coronation of all the kings of Bhutan.
Punakha was once the capital of the Bhutan until 1955 then replaced by Thimphu.
Punakha fortress is said to be one of the most beautiful dzong throughout the country. It is the second largest fortress and houses the most sacred relics.
The district itself is popularly known for rice farming, fields of rice surround houses hence it’s called the “rice bowl” of Bhutan.
7) Phobjikha Valley
Phobjikha Valley under Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag is a vast valley located in central Bhutan. During winter season black-necked cranes from Tibetan Plateau visit the valley. Crane Festivals are held in winter every year to welcome the black-neck crane in Phobjikha.
Phobjikha is known for it’s scenic views and landscapes; it is rich in faunal biodiversity and has several other vulnerable species thus approximately 163 square kilometers has been declared a protected area.
Fauna such as barking deer, wild boars, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Serow and endangered species of birds are found in this region.
Phobjikha offers camping to get the whole experience of the valley, gazing at the stars at night.
8) Jhomolhari
Jhomolhari is a mountain in the Himalayas spanning the borders of Yadong County in China and district of Thimphu in Bhutan. This mountain is the source of Paro Chhu that nourishes the lush rice fields and orchards of Paro valley.
Jhomolhari stands at 7326 meters/ 24035 feet above sea level. To get to the base of mount Jhomolhari, the trail starts from Drukyel Dzong through scattered farmlands, into deep-forested valleys leading to high alpine pastureland where yaks graze. The trek offers varieties of Bhutanese landscapes. To return to Thimphu trekkers follow the Wang Chhu River, through pine forest and the ruins of Barshong Fortress.
Jhomolhari is considered a sacred mountain, there’s a temple called Jhomolhari Temple towards the south of the mountain used by pilgrims to spend the night at or for religious purposes. Several other sacred sites can be found near the temple including meditation caves of Milarepa and other great yogi.
9) Jigme Dorji National Park
The Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) names after the late third king of Bhutan is the second largest National Park in Bhutan. Established in 1974 it stretches over 4300 kilometers ranging in altitude from 1400 to over 7000 meters. The park provides protection and home for various endangered species such as takin, snow leopard, Bengal tiger, Himalayan blue sheep, red panda and over 300 species of birds. It is the only park to contain the national animal, national flower, national bird and national tree (Takin, Blue poppy, Raven and Cypress tree respectively) together.
The alpine region houses flowers like edelweiss, orchids, rhododendrons and blue poppy among others.
Bhutan is called the last Shangri la rightly so because of its geographical location, biodiversity, landmarks and heaven like scenery throughout. Bhutan is unlike any other country to travel to, a country that puts Gross National Happiness over Gross Domestic Product and the only country that is carbon negative.
A nation led by visionary leader who sees the importance of modernisation and also cares for Bhutan’s rich culture and history. A must visit country!
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