11 of the Most Beautiful Places in Bhutan

Here are the top places to visit and things to do in Bhutan

Taktshang Goemba

Taktshang Goemba is in Bhutan. This is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world, and Guru Rinpoche visited here on his second visit to Bhutan. The temple is built on a 1,200 meter cliff and is Bhutan's most well-known sacred site.

Thimphu

Thimphu is the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and with a population of around 80,000 is the nation's largest city. Before 1960, Thimphu consisted of a group of hamlets scattered across the valley including Motithang, Changangkha, Changlimithang, Langchupakha, and Taba, some of which constitute districts of the city today.  Initially, when Bhutan was opened up for Tourism in 1974, the Government-owned Tourism Corporation was set up in Thimphu to encourage and organise individual and group tours to destinations of cultural importance in Bhutan, concentrating on Buddhism, weaving, birds, nature and trekking, and any special package. The Changangkha Lhakhang was constructed in the 15th century, this is one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu Valley, and is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist emanation of compassion. The temple affords wonderful views over the entire valley.

Jhomolhari Trek

Jhomolhari Trek is in Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a mystical and medieval kingdom situated along the southern slopes of the Himalaya range between India and Tibet. The Buddhist culture remains largely untouched by the outside world where people and nature coexist in a sacred balance. Jhomolhari Trek combined a world-class Himalayan trek to Chomolhari (24,000’), the Mountain Goddess, with a cultural immersion unique to Bhutan.

Gasa

Gasa is a region in Bhutan. Gasa was formerly a drungkhag (sub-district) of the Punakha dzongkhag. It became a separate dzongkhag in 1992, the start of 7th Five Year Plan. Paro Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the country, and Guru Rinpoche visited here on his second visit to Bhutan. The temple is built on a 1,200 meter cliff in the Paro valley and is Bhutan's most well known sacred site.

Mongar

Mongar is a town and seat of Mongar District in Bhutan. Mongar Dzong was built in 1930 and its design was similar to Lamai Geonpa in Bumthang, the residence of the 1st King Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck. This Dzong was constructed in the year as the administrative Headquarter for the District and to house the spiritual monks.

Trashigang

Trashigang is a town in eastern Bhutan and the district capital of the Trashigang Dzongkhag. In October 2011, Trashigang Dzong, under renovation since 2007, was on the verge of collapse. Trashigang Dzong overlooks the Dangme chhu which flows at its base. It is accessible only from the north, through a slender road, paved by blasting the cliff. Due to its location Trashigang Dzong is one of the most strategically placed Dzongs in Bhutan.

Paro

Paro is a town in in the south west of Bhutan. Rinpung Dzong a fortress-monastery overlooking the Paro valley has a long history. A monastery was first built on the site by Padma Sambhava at the beginning of the tenth century, but it wasn't until 1646 that Ngawang Namgyal built a larger monastery on the old foundations, and for centuries this imposing five storey building served as an effective defence against numerous invasion attempts by the Tibetans. Taktsang Monastery, (Tiger's Nest). Precariously perched on the edge of a 1,200 meter cliff, this monastery creates an impressive sight, and is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan.

Bumthang

Bumthang is a region in Bhutan.

The town is the site of Chakhar Lhakhang, a small and unassuming temple which marks the site of the "iron palace" of Sindhu Raja, the Indian monarch who is believed to have first invited Guru Rinpoche to Bhutan in 746. The current building is said to have been constructed by Terton Dorje Lingpa in the 14th century. Kurjey Lhakhang in Jakar is a temple built around a cave with a body print of Guru Rinpoche imbedded in the wall. Guru Rinpoche practiced meditation here on his first visit to Bhutan and as such it is the earliest Buddhist relic in the country.

Punakha

Punakha a former capital of Bhutan, is located in the west of the country. Punakha Dzong. Majestically standing on an island between the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, the city's dzong is one of the most photogenic of all Bhutan's ancient fortresses, and you will see pictures of it hanging in hotels and restaurants throughout the country.