Introducing Paro Dzongkhag
With our passage through the bridge, behold a curious transformation. For just as Alice, when she walked through the looking-glass, found herself in a new and whimsical world, so we, when we crossed the Pa-chhu, found ourselves, as though caught up on some magic time machine fitted fantastically with a reverse, flung back across the centuries into the feudalism of a mediaeval age.
Earl of Ronaldshay, Lands of the Thunderbolt (1923)
The Paro valley is without doubt one of the loveliest in Bhutan. Willow trees and apple orchards line many of the roads, whitewashed farmhouses and temples complement the green terraced fields and forested hills rise on either side to create a beautiful, organic and peaceful whole.
The fertile land, clement climate and network of trade routes from Tibet have combined to make the people of Paro better off than elsewhere in Bhutan. For most of the 19th century, Paro held the seat of government and was the commercial, cultural and political centre of the country.
Several treks begin in or near Paro. The Druk Path trek climbs over the eastern valley wall, crossing a 4200m pass before descending to Thimphu. The Jhomolhari, Laya-Gasa and Snowman treks all lead west from Drukgyel Dzong on to Jhomolhari base camp and the spectacular alpine regions of Gasa and Laya beyond.
Paro
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.
Tours in Paro Dzongkhag
Southeast of Paro
Twin roads leads south from Paro to Bondey, where roads head west to Haa and southeast to the confluence at Chhuzom, 24km from Paro and 18km from Bondey.
Paro Dzongkhag destination guides
Upper Paro Valley
Though the Paro valley extends west all the way to the peaks on the Tibetan border, the road only goes as far as Drukgyel Dzong, 11km beyond Paro.
Paro to Bondey
The west-bank road south of Paro passes above the airport and Khangkhu village to Bondey, which straddles the Paro Chhu to the southeast of the airport.
Entertainment in Paro Dzongkhag
Shopping in Paro Dzongkhag