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About Bhutan
Thimphu : Thimphu is the most modern city in Bhutan with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers, however it still retains its’ cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernization.Thimphu is one of the few towns in Bhutan that have been equipped with ATM banking facilities and is a good place to stock up on some currency.
One of the most curious features of Thimphu is that it is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights. Instead a few major intersections have policemen standing in elaborately decorated booths (small pavilions), directing traffic with exaggerated hand motions. The juxtaposition of ancient tradition and modernity make Thimphu the ideal location for visitors to break away from their tour itinerary and just immerse themselves in the lifestyle of contemporary Bhutanese.
One of the most curious features of Thimphu is that it is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights. Instead a few major intersections have policemen standing in elaborately decorated booths (small pavilions), directing traffic with exaggerated hand motions. The juxtaposition of ancient tradition and modernity make Thimphu the ideal location for visitors to break away from their tour itinerary and just immerse themselves in the lifestyle of contemporary Bhutanese.
Tashichho Dzong : The original Thimphu Dzong was constructed in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa where Dechen Phodrang now watches over the city of Thimphu. Over the centuries, it has seen its fair share of upheaval, damage and consequent renovation. Having survived two massive fires and an earthquake, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck had it completely renovated in 1952 after he moved the capital to Thimphu, in a traditional manner that entailed neither nails nor any written plans. It has been seat of the Bhutanese government and the Dharma Raja and the royal family ever since. The Dzong is an operating office of the Highness, King of Bhutan and also the office if the religious head of Bhutan. It opens to tourists only from 5:30PM to 6:30PM. The entry fee is Rs. 300 per person for Indians. It is a well organized and kept fortress with beautiful wall murals inside and a main temple where monks chant their evening rituals. Definitely recommend a visit when in Thimpu. Housing the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, his offices, and the secretariat, the northern portion of the structure is the residence of the venerated monastic society, Central Monk’s Body.
Entry to the premises is restricted i.e entry to visitors is only after 5PM, once the offices close for the day. This should definitely feature of your list of places you must visit. The night view is unparalleled at this Dzong, since you’re going to be entering post 5PM, try and stay till sunset. Photography is restricted in the King’s offices and the temple but carry your camera to this Dzong all the same! Restaurants Near Tashichho Dzong : Karma’s Coffee, Zest Bar & Lounge, Plum’s Cafe.
Entry to the premises is restricted i.e entry to visitors is only after 5PM, once the offices close for the day. This should definitely feature of your list of places you must visit. The night view is unparalleled at this Dzong, since you’re going to be entering post 5PM, try and stay till sunset. Photography is restricted in the King’s offices and the temple but carry your camera to this Dzong all the same! Restaurants Near Tashichho Dzong : Karma’s Coffee, Zest Bar & Lounge, Plum’s Cafe.
Simtokha Dzong : Five miles from Thimphu stands the 17th century Simtokha Dzong standing on a lofty ridge. Built in 1627, the oldest Dzong in the country, it now houses the School for Buddhist studies.
The name Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and the legend associated with the dzong’s construction tells us that it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing travelers in the region.
The dzong houses countless statues and paintings of various Buddhas, deities and religious figures including The Eight Manifestations of Guru Rimpoche, Jampelyang the Bodhisattava of Wisdom, Shakya Gyalpo the Buddha of Compassion and many more, all carved and painted in exquisite detail.
The name Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and the legend associated with the dzong’s construction tells us that it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing travelers in the region.
The dzong houses countless statues and paintings of various Buddhas, deities and religious figures including The Eight Manifestations of Guru Rimpoche, Jampelyang the Bodhisattava of Wisdom, Shakya Gyalpo the Buddha of Compassion and many more, all carved and painted in exquisite detail.
National Memorial Chorten: This stupa was built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan.When he was alive, Jigme Dorji wanted to build "a chorten to represent the mind of the Buddha. The chorten is decorated with richly carved annexes facing the four directions, and contain mandalas, statues and a shrine dedicated to the third king. Above the top floor there is a gallery, which can be walked around the circumference of the chorten and which has views of the city. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Bhuddhist philosophy.
The chorten is a large white structure crowned with a golden spire. It is located close to the center of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments. The Memorial Stupa, Thimphu, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a stupa in Thimphu, Bhutan, located on Doeboom Lam in the southern-central part of the city near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital. The stupa, built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. In 2008, it underwent extensive renovation. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan".
The chorten is a large white structure crowned with a golden spire. It is located close to the center of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments. The Memorial Stupa, Thimphu, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a stupa in Thimphu, Bhutan, located on Doeboom Lam in the southern-central part of the city near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital. The stupa, built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. In 2008, it underwent extensive renovation. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan".
National Library : Founded by the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1929-1972), the core of the National Library collection initially consisted of 120 Buddhist manuscripts donated by the late Queen Mother, Ashi Phuntsho Choden (1911-2003), at the time of the library’s inception. Since then, the collection has expanded substantially and its holdings have a remarkable online presence, thanks to a collaborative initiative with the Royal Library Denmark. The collection is most useful for scholars of Bhutanese, Tibetan, and broader Himalayan history and religion.
Today, the NLAB complex consists of three buildings: the main building, which houses the Chokey (Classical Tibetan) and Dzongkha collection; an administration block that also contains the foreign language collection; and the archives building, which is not publicly accessible to the public.
Today, the NLAB complex consists of three buildings: the main building, which houses the Chokey (Classical Tibetan) and Dzongkha collection; an administration block that also contains the foreign language collection; and the archives building, which is not publicly accessible to the public.
Folk Heritage Museum : Located in the capital city of Thimphu, this museum was established in 2001 and provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life. The Folk Heritage Museum is set inside a three storied, 19th century traditional house.
The museum gives you a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, in addition to artifacts from rural households; it also displays an impressive collection of typical household objects, tools and equipment. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits and customs as well as hosting educational programs for children.Objectives of the Museum Exhibition Center.The center besides showcasing the products is intended to promote the traditional practices of the remote communities of Bhutan which are at the verge of extinction. The Museum Souvenir Shop is located at the Folk Heritage Museum premises and is now open to the public. By way of display and promotional activities, the international visitors and youth of Bhutan will be informed about cultural and traditional settings of early society of Bhutan, with preservation of culture as one of the pillars of Gross National Happiness.
The museum gives you a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, in addition to artifacts from rural households; it also displays an impressive collection of typical household objects, tools and equipment. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits and customs as well as hosting educational programs for children.Objectives of the Museum Exhibition Center.The center besides showcasing the products is intended to promote the traditional practices of the remote communities of Bhutan which are at the verge of extinction. The Museum Souvenir Shop is located at the Folk Heritage Museum premises and is now open to the public. By way of display and promotional activities, the international visitors and youth of Bhutan will be informed about cultural and traditional settings of early society of Bhutan, with preservation of culture as one of the pillars of Gross National Happiness.
Royal Textile Academy : The Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan was founded to preserve and promote the living art of weaving which is an important part of the culture and tradition of Bhutan. The Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan is housed in a striking building, blending modern architectural appearance with Bhutanese designs seamlessly. Built to preserve and promote weaving, an integral part of Bhutanese culture and tradition, the Academy was established under the patronage of Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck. A non-profit institution dedicated to the art of textile, it will take you on a journey with its exhibits - all the royal clothes donated to the Museum by the Royal family, including the current King and Queen’s wedding clothes, jewellery, crowns, kettles of various shapes and sizes, armoury and other fascinating artifacts. The academy indisputably hosts the finest examples of woven, embroidered and appliqued textiles exhibited along with relevant production technique. The training is provided free of cost to the women and the Royal Textile Academy is slated to be Bhutan’s first establishment to educate the Bhutanese youth with an in-depth training and study of the country’s textiles. The academy hosts the finest examples of woven, embroidered and appliqued textiles exhibited along with relevant production technique.
- The souvenir shop is definitely worth checking out at the end of your trip.
- Visitors can also buy beautiful fabrics from the academy.
Buddha Dordenma : This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue, 100,000 8 inch tall and 25,000 12 inch tall statues respectively. Each of these thousands of Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.
Bhutan Postal Museum : A recent addition to the museums in Thimphu, the postal museum is sure to be popular with philatelists. You can get an overview of the history of the postal system of Bhutan, beginning with the mail runners, who have exciting stories of their own, and view Bhutan’s supremely interesting and highly collectible stamps. Stamps were, incidentally, the first Bhutanese products that generated revenue for the government as it began its modernization efforts.