Bhutan

Why you must visit Thimphu in Bhutan – 15 things to do in Thimphu, the Kingdom’s capital

Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, has a resident size of 98,676. It is the political and economic center of the nation and one of the main destinations of Bhutan tour packages. With its many monasteries, dzongs (fortresses), and traditional art centers, this lovely city is a wonderful fusion of modernity and history. In addition, Thimphu provides charming cafes, eateries, pubs, and casinos. The Mojo Park pub, where you can listen to live music, is one of the most well-liked hangout locations for locals and visitors.

By Vacation India
Thousands of people flock from far and wide to witness the colorful masked dance festival in the vast courtyard of Thimphu Dzong in Bhutan. The Tshechu Festival celebrates the good deeds of Guru Rinpoche with traditional songs and dances performed by men and women in colorful costumes © Sammy L

Why you must visit Thimphu in Bhutan – 15 things to do in Thimphu, the Kingdom’s capital

Buddha Dordenma
Tashichho Dzong
Simtokha Dzong
National Library
Royal Textile Academy (RTA)
Memorial Chorten
Tango Buddhist Institute
Weekend Market
Folk Heritage Museum
Clock Tower Square
National Institute for Zorig Chusum
Motithang Takin Preserve
Thimphu Tshechu
Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival
Dochula Pass


The gigantic golden statue of the Buddha Dordenma in Thimphu stands 169 ft./52 m high. Two prophesies foretold the erection of this statue, that of the 20th century yogi Sonam Zangpo and the 8th century prediction mentioned in the ancient Guru Rinpoche’s teachings


 

Buddha Dordenma

The enormous Shakyamuni Buddha statue, Buddha Dordenma was built to commemorate Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Bhutan’s fourth king, who turned 60 years old. The monument in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park is 51.5 m tall and is perched atop a mountain. Additionally, a prayer hall exists where villagers frequently go to meditate. Most areas of Thimphu city offer a view of the enormous statue.

Night shot of the Trashi Chhu Dzong in Thimphu with rice fields in the foreground. Dzongs are fortified monasteries, usually of massive construction with high outer walls © Jiali Chen


 

Tashichho Dzong

The majestic fortification Tashichho Dzong sits near Wang Chu’s western banks. The Monarch’s offices, the royal chamber, the supreme monastic body, and several government departments are all housed in the main secretariat building.

The chief abbot will relocate to Punakha’s dzong during the summer months. Most guests will be astounded by the majestic building, immaculate grounds, and stunning gardens.

 

Simtokha Dzong

The Bhutanese unifier Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel constructed Simtokha Dzong in 1629. Simtokha Dzong is reputedly the country’s first fortification. The dzong is situated in a fantastic spot with a view of the entire Thimphu valley.

According to a legend surrounding the dzong, it was constructed to slay a demon who eventually vanished behind a massive stone encased within the stronghold.

 

National Library

To conserve historic Tibetan and Dzongkha manuscripts, the National Library was founded in 1967. Interesting historical, current, and prospective documents about Bhutan must be gathered and preserved by the National Archives for subsequent generations. There are numerous holy religious books and manuscripts in the library’s inventory. It also holds the two-meter-tall, 68-kilogram largest written book in history. Holidays in Bhutan are exceptional holiday sites.

 

Royal Textile Academy (RTA)

A nonprofit organization, Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan created to protect and advance the weaving tradition in Bhutan. RTA was established in May 2005 by Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden. The organization’s main goals are to provide in-depth education about Bhutan, its Bhutan tour packages, holidays in Bhutan and training in textile-related skills. Visitors can peruse a priceless collection of old textile artifacts from Bhutan and traditional clothing from the area.

A beautifully painted wooden gate frames the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, Bhutan. The mantras on the top of the entrance are intended to promote compassion, strength, wisdom and peace


 

Memorial Chorten

The National Memorial Chorten was constructed in honor of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third king of Bhutan. Locals go around the chorten as part of their daily religious routine. It is a superb example of Buddhist culture and architecture in the country and was constructed in 1974. The chorten is home to countless Buddha sculptures and intricate Buddhist murals.

 

Tango Buddhist Institute

Tango Monastery is a member of Bhutan’s Drukpa Kagyu School, a significant institution for Buddhist study. The main Thimphu town may be reached by car, about 30 minutes from the religious institute. It takes an hour to trek uphill from the Dodena neighborhood, which is among Bhutar tours.

The monastery is a fascinating destination to visit because of the many stories connected to it. The place is reported to have been visited by Guru Rinpoche sometime in the 8th century. The location has been visited by several old masters, including Zhabdrung, who is claimed to have meditated there around 1616. Phajo Drugom Zhigpo established the original monastery in the 12th century, and Tenzin Rabgye, the Fourth Desi (secular king), constructed it in its current shape in 1688.

An oversees tourist sits down with local Bhutanese women to show them pictures on her mobile phone, Thimphu


 

Weekend Market

Tourists can get an insight into Bhutanese daily life at the weekend marketplaces. Fresh produce can be purchased there from the farm owners who brought it to the capital city from outlying regions of the kingdom. Additionally, there is a handicraft bazaar across the street where you can purchase mementos.

An apprentice at a technical vocation institute practicing bronze relief carving. Kham-so, the collective name for Bhutanese bronze arts originated from the Kham region in Tibet and is extensively practiced in the kingdom


 

Folk Heritage Museum

Tourists can get a taste of traditional Bhutanese culture at the Folk Heritage Museum. The museum was founded in 2001 and is housed in a three-story timber and rammed earth construction that resembles an actual traditional Bhutanese building. The cow shed is located on the ground floor, storage is located on the second story, and living accommodations are located on the top floor.

You may find out more about Bhutanese cuisine, customary flora, animals, traditional hot stone baths, farming implements, home items, and many other topics in the museum.

A traffic circle beautifully decorated with religious Buddhist symbols and three apsaras, female spirits of water and the clouds. These supernatural beings are proficient in the art of dancing and are subject to the circle of life, death and reincarnation, just like humans. They are present in the Jatakas narrative which tells the many lives of Buddha as Bodhisattva. Apsaras can be found in both Hindu and Buddha culture and figure prominently in the dance, literature and sculpture of many Asian and Indian cultures


 

Clock Tower Square

A tower with four clock faces customarily decorated with lovely and vibrant carvings and paintings are called the Clock Tower Square. The area where the tower is located is used as a venue for various events, including trade shows, concerts, and other activities. The central area, which hotels, eateries, and cafes border, is still a favorite gathering place for locals and provides a chance to unwind after exploring.

 

National Institute for Zorig Chusum

To conserve and encourage Bhutan’s traditional artworks, the government of Bhutan founded the National Institute for Zorig Chusum. The thirteen traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts—painting, sculpture, fine woodworking, typography, paper-making, antique, embroidery, weaving, woodworking, stonework, bamboo and cane weaving, ornament-making, and blacksmithing—are taught to the pupils.

In the institute, you can visit the exhibition and watch students work on their crafts. For tourists who appreciate discovering the local cultures, it’s a fascinating website.

The Motithang National Reserve started off as a mini zoo mainly for takin, Bhutan’s national animal, but when the king decided that it is improper to keep them confined, the animals were set free. To everyone’s surprise, these strange-looking beasts did not wander off into the forest, maybe due to their docile nature and became quite domesticated. A shelter was created and today the reserve is an integral part of the city and popular with visitors


 

Motithang Takin Preserve

Motithang, where Takin Preserve is situated, is 15 minutes drive from Thimphu Town. The wildlife reserve is where takin and other endangered species like the Muntjac deer, Sambar, and Serow are preserved in a safe setting. Bhutan’s national animal, the takin, is an odd cross between a goat and a cow. The fourth King of Bhutan had ordered their release from a zoo enclosure into the wild. The takin, however, chose to stay in the area because it had been domesticated for so long and eventually wound up wandering Thimphu’s streets. As a result, an 8.4-acre wildlife reserve was established for the takin’s safe and unrestricted movement.

Women dancers perform in front of a large crowd during the popular Thimphu Tshechu Festival in the courtyard of the Tashichho Dzong. The celebrations last for three days and is held annually during the eighth month of the lunar calendar


 

Thimphu Tshechu

The Thimphu Tshechu is one of Bhutan’s largest festivities. On the tenth day of the eighth lunar month, or typically in September or October, this celebration is hosted in the capital city for three days. In the seventeenth century, the fourth Druk Desi, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, founded Thimphu Tshechu. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third king of Bhutan, made various improvements to Thimphu Tshechu in the 1950s. Several days and nights of prayer and ceremonies to summon the gods to come before the Tshechu. Thimphu Drupchen, which occurs three days before Thimphu Tschechu, is even its pre-festival. The event offers a variety of mask dances, including the Guru Tshengye (Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche) and Shaw Shachi (Dance of the Stags). The people of Tshechu, a sacred religious celebration, think that by participating, one might repent for sins and gain virtue.

The Druk Wangyal Temple in the Dochula Pass was finished in 2008 and was constructed to celebrate one hundred years of monarchy in the Kingdom of Bhutan


 

Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival

In 2011, the Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival was created to honor the Fourth King’s and the Armed Forces’ 2003 triumph over Indian insurgent forces stationed in southern Bhutan. The Druk Wangyel Lhakhang, which is situated at the Dochula pass (3140m) on the way from Thimphu to Punakha, hosts the event every 13th of December. Instead of priests or laypeople, the Royal Bhutan Army participates in the Druk Wangyel Tshechu, a distinctive event. The Royal Bhutan Army’s ongoing efforts to uphold the nation’s safety and independence are also honored.

The Druk Wangyal Festival was started by Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, who also serves as its patron. In addition, Her Majesty constructed the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang over the course of four years (2004–2008) to recognize the bravery of the fourth monarch, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, for all the sacrifices he made to uphold the integrity of the realm.

The Druk Wangyal Khangzang Stupa has 108 chortens and is located at the scenic Dochula Pass, between Punakha and Thimphu


 

Dochula Pass

Dochula Pass, which connects Thimphu and Punakha, is a 3100m (10171ft) high mountain pass. The 108 memorial stupas constructed by the eldest Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers who lost their lives in battle while battling insurgents from the northeast Indian state of Assam are what make the region notable. Additionally, it serves as the site of the yearly Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival. The pass provides a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayas when the weather is clear.

Paddy fields cover the area above the Thimphu Dzong, the Fortress of Auspicious Doctrine. Some 28% of cultivatable land in Bhutan is used for the production of rice


Thimphu is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights. When the government tried to install the first traffic light, it had to be removed after only one hour as it caused too much confusion amongst drivers. The king promptly ordered its removal and today traffic is still regulated by an official standing inside a little booth at street crossings


Two bodhisattvas standing at the base of the Great Buddha Dordenma in the mountains of southern Thimphu in Bhutan. Made of bronze and gold for the occasion of the fourth king’s 60th birthday celebration, the statue stands 177 ft./54 m tall and cost US$ 100 million after nine years of construction. Inside the huge statue there are 125,000 smaller Buddha figurines


A Yellow Jambhala, also called Zambala or Dzambala, on the eastern façade of the 13th century Thimphu or Tashichho Dzong. One of the five wealth Jambhalas, each with its own mantra to help eliminate poverty and create financial stability, it is the god of Fortune and Wealth. In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Yellow Jambhala figure always sits in a half lotus position, wearing a golden crown of precious stones and a chain of gemstone on his body. In his left hand he holds a mongoose with a jewel in the mouth, and in his right hand a bijapuraka or citrus limon fruit


The rich saffron colored façade of Thimphu’s most luxurious five-star hotel, the Taj Tashi. Built in the traditional Bhutanese style of architecture, it is amongst the largest and most splendid non-religious buildings in the kingdom


The Durga Mandir was the very first Hindu temple built in Thimphu. Around 22.5% of the population of Bhutan, mostly the Lhotshampa ethic group, are Hindus, making it the second largest religion in the kingdom. Various schools are represented, including the Shaivite, Shakta, Ganapathi, Puranic, Vaishnavite and Vedic


Two generations of monks in discussion at the Tashichho Dzong in Bhutan. The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism and around 84% of the population are Buddhists. Bhutanese monks wear maroon robes and spend their days in prayer, meditation, study and the performing of rituals


The cold fast-moving rivers flowing through the valleys of Bhutan are constantly fed by the Himalayan glaciers. The four major rivers with their tributaries provide irrigation to the plains where rice and other produce are grown


A simple but nutritious traditional family meal with rice, soup, vegetables, stir-fried noodles, beef and a salad, Thimphu, Bhutan


Women look on while a man practices his archery skills. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and every town or village has a field for archery


Women wearing the traditional Bhutanese dress near the Rinpung Dong in Thimphu. Bhutan is a monarchy and the king is known as the ‘Dragon King’. A mountainous, landlocked and historically remote country, it was never colonized, but was importantly situated on the ancient Silk Road between India, Tibet and Southeast Asia. Gross National Happiness was the brainchild of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Bhutan’s fourth king when in 1972 he made the statement that GNH is more important than gross national product


Women dancers perform in front of a large crowd during the popular Thimphu Tshechu Festival in the courtyard of the Tashichho Dzong. The celebrations last for three days and is held annually during the eighth month of the lunar calendar


A homemade hamburger served in a restaurant in Thimphu, Bhutan


The large Tibetan-style National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu is a prominent landmark in the city and the daily religious focal point for many locals. It was constructed in 1974 to commemorate Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the country’s popular 3rd king who died in 1972. The bright white stupa with its eye-catching golden finial is relatively small in size but heavily laden with symbolism and significance, and has a richly decorated annex on each side. Inside are mandalas, a shrine to the late king and statues. All day long devotees can be seen circumambulating the chorten, praying at the shrine and spinning the prayer wheels


A Bhutanese guide talking to a foreign tourist on the balcony of a temple in Thimphu. He is dressed in the national dress of his country


A group of monks approaching the Simtokha Dzong gardens. Also called the ‘Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras’ it is a smaller sized structure and is the site of one of the top Dzongkha language learning institutes in the kingdom


A male dancer ready to take part in a dance show at the annual Thimphu Festival. Dancers dress in elaborate costumes with brightly painted masks and use vibrant, lively movements in their dances


The weaving skills of East Bhutanese women are world famous and their products are highly sought after. Although traditional motifs and patterns are used, they often add their own creative ideas, so no two textiles are 100% identical © UlyssePixel


The 108 red and white chortens of Druk Wangyal Khangzang are located on a hill on the Dochula Pass between Thimphu and Punakha. They were erected in honor of the Bhutanese soldiers who gave their lives fighting insurgents in 2003 © Ipek Morel Diplikaya


A typical Bhutanese dish is tasty and simple, made with rice and vegetables. In addition to rice, a wide variety of vegetables and fruits are also grown in Bhutan © Wai Chung


Bhutan’s national dress for men, the gho, dates back to the 17th century and consists of a knee-length robe tied at the waist with a hand-woven belt, the kera. A white silk scarf, known as a kabney, is worn on special occasions. The picture shows two men posing for the camera at the Trashi Chho Dzong in Thimphu, Bhutan © Antonella865


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