THIMPU
Lying in a valley (elevation 2,350 m), Thimpu is
unlike any other capital in the world. The traditional
architecture of its houses and buildings is particularly
striking.
The places to visit are the Memorial
Chorten, dedicated to the late King Jigme Dorji
Wangchuk; Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government
of Bhutan and the summer residence of the central
monk body; the Traditional Medicine Hospital where
herbal medicines are prepared; the National Library,
a treasure trove of ancient texts; the National
Institute for Zorig Chosum for thanka painting,
sculpture, wood and slate carving, gold works, embroidery
and traditional boot making; Changangkha Lakhang
which contains ancient scriptures and thanka paintings;
and Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's oldest fortress which
now houses a school for Buddhist studies. You can
also visit the smithy on the other side of the Thimpu
River to see traditional gold and silver smiths
at work, the Folk Heritage Museum, which showcases
a typical Bhutanese farmhouse, and the Takin Sanctuary
(the takin is the national animal of Bhutan) above
the Motithang area.
WESTERN BHUTAN
Paro is 65 km (two hours' drive)
to the southwest of Thimpu. The Taktsang Monastery
where Guru Rinpoche meditated to subdue evil spirits;
Rinpung Dzong, venue of the Paro tsechu (festival);
Ta Dzong which houses the NationalMuseum; the ruins
of Drukgyel Dzong, built to commemorate Bhutan's
victory over Tibetan aggressors; Kyichu Lakhang,
one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan;
and Dungtse Lakhang with its extraordinary collection
of religious paintings, are the places to see in
the valley.
Punakha, 77 km (three
hours and 15 minutes' drive) north-east of Thimpu,
served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and,
even today, it is the winter home of the central
monk body. The Punakha Dzong houses many sacred
artifacts and temples. The road from Thimpu to Punakha
crosses the 3,115-m Dochula Pass.
Wangdi Phodrang (or
Wangdi) is situated 70 km (three hours' drive) south-east
of Thimpu. The Wangdi Phodrang Dzong played a key
role during the unification of Bhutan. En route
from Wangdi to Tongsa is the Gangtey Gompa, the
biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan.
CENTRAL BHUTAN
Trongsa is 129 km (four and a half
hours' drive) east of Wangdi and crosses the 3,300
m Pelela Pass. The Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral
home of Bhutan's royal family, houses 23 temples.
The watchtower, Ta Dzong, has a temple dedicated
to King Gesar, the hero of a great epic.
Bumthang consists
of the valleys of Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura.
It takes two and a half hours to reach Bumthang,
68 km northeast of Trongsa. Bumthang is ideal for
making excursions to the many monasteries and shrines
— Tharpaling, Choedrak, Tamshing, Kurjey,
Jambey, Kunzangdra among others - as well as to
Mebartso, "the flaming lake".
EASTERN BHUTAN
Mongar is 198 km (seven hours'
drive) south-east of Bumthang. The road to Mongar
crosses Thumshingla (3,800 m), the highest pass
in Bhutan. The Mongar Dzong is relatively new compared
with the other dzongs of the kingdom.
Lhuntshi is 76 km
(three hours' drive) north of Mongar. The landscape
here is spectacular with stark cliffs and gorges
and dense coniferous forests. This district is famous
for its weavers and the fine quality of fabrics
they produce.
The 90-km trip from Mongar to Trashigang,
the easternmost district, takes four hours. Some
20 km before Trashigang is the Dametsi Monastery,
the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan.
After Thimpu, Trashigang is the largest urban center
where the Trashigang Dzong stands over the Gamri
river. Tashi Yangtse, north of Trashigang, has a
dzong and the Nepalese style Chorten Kora.
