Top 10 Places to Visit During Your Bhutan Tour

Top 10 Places to Visit During Your Bhutan Tour

The mountains are sacred to the people, nature is precious and their indigenous culture unique. Welcome to the hilly kingdom of Bhutan with it’s pristine countryside, breathtaking natural beauty and the rich heritage of Buddhist culture! Every inch of the land is exciting and there is something for everyone to do whether it is to go a hiking sojourn or embark on a meditative soul churning experience.

The Taktsang Monastery

Perhaps the biggest draw of Bhutan tours is the Taktsang Monastery clinches on to the cliff situated in the northern part of Paro. Initially built in 1692 on the locale of the TaktsangSengeSamdup that is a cave in which the Guru Padmasambhava is supposed to have flown seated on a tigress from Khenpajong and subdued a demon. Subsequently, he meditated there for three months and emerged with eight incarnations blessing the place. ParoTaktsang has gained it’s reputation as being the place where the Guru sat and meditated and the place is also known as the Tiger’s Nest.

The monastery has both a spiritual as well as the aesthetic side to it and you may wish to choose both or either as you climb the stiff cliff that is any way a hiker’s delight. Ascending for more than a thousand feet above the valley, the serenity and the bliss overflows the architectural beauty of the monastery.

Visiting PunakhaDzong

The Palace of Great Bliss or popularly known as the PunakhaDzongis a gigantic structure that was first constructed in 1637 by Zhabdrung. The palace, however, suffered damages several times – six times due to fire, once due to an earthquake and once due to a flood. Inside the Dzong or the palace is the MachenLhakhang temple that has in it enshrined body of Zhabdrung whodied here while in retreat, in a mummified form. The Little Dzong or the Dzongchung that was constructed in 1328 by the saint NagiRinchen lies opposite to the centralDzong. The first King of Bhutan UgenWangchuck was crowned here on 1st of December 1907.

The ChimiLhakhang

Dedicated to the Lama DnkpaKuenley, a divine madman the ChimiLhakhang is considered to be a fertility temple. The popularly revered temple lies at the borders of the Thimpu and Punakha with Wangduephodrang at the periphery of the fertile Lobesa Valley.

The DrukgyelDzong

This splendid 17th century Dzongconstructed by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyal in 1646 retells of the valiant tales of the Bhutanese warriors’ victory over the then Tibetan invaders. Despite the massive destruction suffered in 1951 due to a fire, the central tower, and the outer walls still pose an impressive sight. Also, you can enjoy the splendid vie of Mt. Jumlhari as you walk or ride the road approaching theDzong.

Rinpung and the Ta Dzong

The present Rinpung and Ta Dzonghas a history that traces back to the fifteen century. Earlier a temple and then a five-storied fortress, in the 17thcentury was offered to ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal as the religious as well as the temporal head. He dismantled the Dzong in 1644, and the new Dzongwas reconsecrated in 1646.

Impressive and Palatial Tashichhodzong

Doubling as a Buddist monastery as well as a fortress, the Dzongis situated on the northern fringe of the Thimphu and is the traditional seat of the Dharma Raja or the DrukDesi. The place is now the seat of Bhutan’s civil government offices that is combinedwiththe kingship since 1907.

The Dochula Pass

The mountainous kingdom of Bhutan has several picturesque terrains of which the Dochula Pass that is only about 30 km drive for the capital city Thimphu is 3150 meters from the sea-level. Though covered by clouds, on a clear day you can catch the glimpse of the spectacular and mighty Himalayas.

The National Memorial Chorten

The structure doubles as a monastery as well as a memorial or a chroten and is situatedon the southern entrance to the city. Built in 1974, the structure honors the third king who wished to build a chortenthat would represent the thoughts and thinking of the Buddha.

Sacred KurjeLhakhang

The sacred meditation grounds of Guru Rinpoche, who meditated and drove away the evil spirits to restore the soul of the king, left his imprints here and thus the name Kurje or the imprint of the body.

Phobjikha Valley and the GangteyGompa

A must on your Bhutan tours, is the Phobjikha Valley and GangteyGompa.Situated on a ridge that overlooks the Phobjikha valley, the Gompa is the sole Nyingmapamonastery in the western part of Bhutan. The elegant placement of the monastery on the high altitude with the surrounding rich vegetation is a feast for the eyes especially during Spring when the flora and fauna are to their brim.