Thimphu
You approach Thimphu along a winding, single-lane access road, little wider than the trucks that suddenly emerge around each curve.
You approach Thimphu along a winding, single-lane access road, little wider than the trucks that suddenly emerge around each curve.
With our passage through the bridge, behold a curious transformation.
The charming small town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong.
There is a great variety of people, architecture and scenery in central Bhutan.
The Bumthang region encompasses four major valleys: Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume.
Near the foot of the Chokhor valley, Jakar (or Chakkar) is the major trading centre of the region.
Unless they are making an overland crossing to or from India, most Western travellers tend to give Chhukha Dzongkhag a wide berth.
Trashigang is the heart of eastern Bhutan and was once the centre of important trade with Tibet.
The Mongar district is the northern portion of the ancient region of Khyeng.
The small, sweltering border town of Phuentsholing sits opposite the much larger Indian bazaar town of Jaigaon, separated by a flimsy fence and the much- photographed Bhutan Gate.
Trashigang is one of Bhutan's more interesting towns and a good base for excursions to Trashi Yangtse, Khaling, Radi, Phongme and elsewhere in eastern Bhutan.
Most towns in the west of Bhutan are in valleys.
The new settlement of Trashi Yangtse is near the Chorten Kora, 3km from the old dzong.
Previously a drungkhag (subdistrict) of Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse became a fully fledged dzongkhag (district) in 1993.
Phobjikha is a bowl-shaped glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.
The scenic dzongkhag of Wangdue Phodrang is centred on the town and dzong of that name and stretches all the way to the Pele La and Phobjikha valley.
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