Things to do in Bhutan
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Pema Bakery & General Store
On the road to the dzong, this bakery and general store serves bread and pastries, and stocks a huge range of imported goodies from Pringles to Coffee Mate. The odd smell comes from the sacks of dried fish.
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Rice Bowl
Excellent chilli pork, Sichuan chicken and crispy shredded lamb are made to be shared, though the service is slow. If you get tired of waiting, head downstairs to the cheaper and friendlier Chopsticks Restaurant.
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Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory
This small factory produces watermark paper as well as cards, lampshades, envelopes, calendars and other items made from traditional Bhutanese paper.
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Travellers Restaurant
One of the good local restaurant above shops along the main street is Travellers Restaurant with dishes from Nu 30 to Nu 70. T
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Zhayden Nagtsho Traditional Boot Unit
Zhayden Nagtsho Traditional Boot Unit is the place for a pair of traditional handmade Bhutanese boots, retailing around US$60.
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TT Restaurant
For a quick meal of rice, ema datse (chillies with cheese) and meat try this busy place, downstairs in the back of the Hotel Seldon.
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Khamsa Coffee
The coffee's not quite as good in this upstairs modern coffee shop but it's a quiet haven, with clean Japanese-style decor, and there are treats like waffles with ice cream.
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Druk Kuenden Guest House
The Druk Kuenden Guest House is the only place occasionally used by foreigners and it has a cosy lodge-style restaurant.
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Phuensom Bakery
The Phuensom Bakery is the place to load up for the following day’s picnic lunch. The entire town closes by 8pm.
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Hotel Menjong
The former Peljorling Hotel has spacious rooms but check the mattresses as these vary. There’s a decent lobby restaurant and bar.
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Sangay Arts & Crafts
You can purchase works by students of the National Institute for Zorig Chusum at this nearby shop, run by a former student.
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Chasa Café
Tiny Chasa has minuscule tables and cheap Bhutanese dishes (all under Nu 70), such as eye-watering ema datse and soothing fried rice.
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Sachok Enterprise
If you are missing a piece of gear for your trek, this place has both real and fake brand-name gear, and the owner is honest about what's what.
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Handicrafts Emporium
This government-run emporium, on the main street, has books and modern souvenirs at tourist prices.
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Lam Tshering Dirji General Shop
Marked by a row of colourful prayer wheels, this interesting local shop, sells prayer flags, incense and other religious items.
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Deki Dem Shop
Marked by a row of colourful prayer wheels, this interesting local shop, sells prayer flags, incense and other religious items.
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Chencho Handicrafts
Chencho has probably the most interesting selection of local handicrafts, particularly strong on weavings and embroidery; it has a dozen weavers working on site.
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Gyeltshen Tailor Shop
Gyeltshen Tailor Shop has a selection of mounted thangkas, Bhutanese flags and T-shirts and Buddhist accoutrements.
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Showroom
The showroom in town is the place if you are looking to buy. An 18in-by- 48in carpet costs around US$400.
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Millennium Club
You’re more likely to get chatting to locals at this older local disco, normally open Saturday nights only.
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Jachung Milk Bakery
You can load up on local bread and pastries at the Jachung Milk Bakery. Jachung means 'garuda'.
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Sports Complex
You can swim in the pool at Thimphu’s Sports Complex. There is also a basketball court and gym.
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Udee Woodcarving Factory
Udee Woodcarving Factory employs a few woodcarvers who turn out traditional lama tables and painted carvings.
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Norling Audio
CDs and tapes of Bhutanese and Bollywood songs are available here for Nu 200 to Nu 400.
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Mendayla Sweets
For Indian sweets, ice cream, yogurt, chocolate, even samosas and pizza, head to this bright sweets shop.
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