Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu
Thimphu
This studio and art gallery exists to promote local artists, to provide vocational training for young artists and to act as an artists' creative meeting…
Must-see attractions in Bhutan
Western Bhutan
The modern Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, in the centre of the town's main plaza, is a replica of Guru Rinpoche's celestial abode (though we're guessing the…
Paro
Below Paro Dzong, this traditional wooden covered bridge is a reconstruction of an older bridge, which was washed away in a flood in 1969. Earlier…
Western Bhutan
Just before Taktshang Goemba, this spectacular stupa viewpoint at 3140m puts you eyeball to eyeball with the monastery, which looks like it is growing out…
Thimphu
Just off Gadem Lam, on the hillside above Trashi Chho Dzong, this small, friendly nunnery has links to Thangtong Gyelpo, builder of chain bridges across…
Bhutan
This small but atmospheric temple was completely rejuvenated from an almost abandoned ruin to the lively Nyingma school and lhakhang it is today. The…
Western Bhutan
A 15-minute hike above Taktshang Goemba brings you the Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, named after Guru Rinpoche's heavenly paradise and perched on a crag with…
Bhutan
Beyond the hospital north of Jakar is the Sey Lhakhang ('sey' means 'golden'). Properly known as Lhodrak Seykhar Dratshang, this is a monastic school that…
Bhutan
At this state-of-the-art microbrewery you will learn about the brewing of the Swiss-style unfiltered weiss beer, before sampling the end product in the…
Thimphu
This charitable school trains disadvantaged children in the traditional arts of painting, sculpture and carving. It's in the village of Kabisa, 2km up the…
Western Bhutan
At 160m long, this bridge northeast of Punakha Dzong is one of Bhutan's longest suspension bridges and it's fun to cross the swaying, prayer-flag-draped…
Paro
A 15-minute uphill hike (or short drive) above Tago village, just southeast of Paro, is the small Pelri Goemba, a rare Nyingmapa-school chapel that was…
Paro
This charming temple on the hillside above Paro actually predates Paro Dzong. Don't miss the meditation cave of Pha Drun Drung, the founder of the dzong…
Phobjikha Valley
South of Tabiting, the unpaved road down the west side of Phobjikha valley winds past Yusa village to this small but charming chapel, said to be the…
Thimphu
Traffic police with gleaming white gloves perform robot moves to direct traffic at the main intersection downtown. It's worth pausing a while to watch the…
National Institute of Traditional Medicine
Thimphu
Established in 1978, this institute collects medicinal plants from remote corners of the Bhutanese Himalaya, and distributes pills, ointments and…
Thimphu
The national stadium occupies the site of the 1885 battle that helped establish the political supremacy of Ugyen Wangchuck, Bhutan's first king. There are…
Western Bhutan
This monastery in the upper Haa valley is worth visiting, especially if you are heading on the Saga La trek. The charming upper chapels feature murals…
Bhutan
Beside the main road, a short distance beyond Jampey Lhakhang, is Chakhar Lhakhang. It's the site of the palace of the Indian king Sendha Gyab, better…
Bhutan
This lovely and little-visited lhakhang at the far northern end of the valley offers a fine half-day hike. The chapel is named 'Sheeps' Horns' after the…
Western Bhutan
The Wangdue Phodrang Dzong (Wangdi) was founded by the Zhabdrung in 1638 atop a high ridge between the Punak Tsang Chhu and the Dang Chhu, clearly chosen…
Bhutan
The palace of Wangdichholing was built in 1857 on the battle-camp site of the penlop of Trongsa, Jigme Namgyal. It was the first palace in Bhutan that…
Thimphu
The National Library was established in 1967 to preserve ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. For tourists it's of interest mainly for its dzong-like…
Western Bhutan
This interesting but little-visited 400-year-old lhakhang on the north side of the valley has some interesting relics and is said to have been carved out…
Western Bhutan
Eleven kilometres north of Haa is this recently rebuilt local temple, one of several shrines dedicated to the valley's protective deity. Blue-faced App…
Western Bhutan
At night you'll see the Sangchen Choekor Shedra spotlit up high on the top of a hill on the north side of the valley. The shedra, a Buddhist college, is…
Bhutan
On the hill to the east of Jakar is this large Nyingma monastery, founded in the 1970s by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, with about 400 monks currently in…
Western Bhutan
On the hillside below the Sangchen Choekor Shedra, the small Kuenga Choeling Goemba is normally closed to tourists. If you can get in, a magnifying glass…
Bhutan
Originally built as a residence by Dawa Gyaltshen, a son of the famous Pema Lingpa, Prakhar Lhakhang hosts the annual Prakhar Duchoed festival in the…
Thimphu
There's a wonderful view of Thimphu valley from the hillside below the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) tower (2685m). The access road to Sangaygang…
Western Bhutan
The small and inconspicuous Satsam Chorten by the Zhiwa Ling hotel once marked no man's land between two rival penlops (governors; satsam means 'border')…
Thimphu
Close to the Weekend Market, this modern chapel was built in the 1990s as a representation of Guru Rinpoche's celestial abode by Dasho Aku Tongmi, the…
Western Bhutan
If you take the alternative hiking trail when leaving Taktshang Goemba, you will descend steeply from the back of the Ugyen Tshemo Lhakhang for 15 minutes…
Bhutan
This extensive settlement of government buildings provides the accommodation and offices for the administration and ranger activities in Royal Manas…
Bhutan
The little-visited but charming Deothang Goemba (Dawathang Goemba), known as the Field of the Moon, is just north of Kurjey Lhakhang and dates from 1949…
Paro
Outside Paro Dzong, to the northeast of the entrance, is this stone-paved area where masked dancers perform the main dances of the Paro tsechu. A thondrol…
Bhutan
This Nyingma monastery and shedra (Buddhist college) was founded in 1935 by Dorling Trulku. In the ground-floor chapel there's a statue of Drolma (Tara)…
Western Bhutan
This charming centuries-old farmhouse is worth a quick stop. The 19th Druk Desi was born here in 1788, one of three to be born into the family, who have…
Western Bhutan
Haa's small dzong, known formally as Wangchuck Lo Dzong, is one of Bhutan's newest, built in 1915 to replace a smaller structure. It is inside the Indian…
