Phobjikha Valley
Travellers with a sense of the magical will want to visit this unassuming chapel, one of eight residences (ling) built by the 14th-century Nyingma…
Must-see attractions in Bhutan
Eastern Bhutan
The Mongar Dzong was established in 1930 to replace the original Shongar Dzong, although the original utse (central tower) dates from an earlier age. It's…
Eastern Bhutan
The dzong is on a thin promontory overlooking the confluence of the Drangme Chhu and the Gamri Chhu. It was built in 1667 by Mingyur Tenpa, Bhutan's third…
Paro
In the centre of tiny Bondey village, on the east side of the Paro Chhu, beside the main road near the Bondey bridge, is this charming and unusually…
Western Bhutan
Just 1km from Bondey is this family-run incense factory, undergoing a multistorey expansion at the time of research. Get your guide to check in advance if…
Western Bhutan
Drukgyel Dzong, now an imposing ruin, was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the trade and military route to Tibet. The building was…
Thimphu
Founded in the early 16th century, this riverside monastery complex houses Bhutan's most important college for traditional astrology. Zhabdrung Ngawang…
Eastern Bhutan
A short drive southwest of town is this little-visited but interesting lhakhang, founded in the 16th century by the son of Pema Lingpa. As you enter the…
Bhutan
Thangbi Goemba was founded in 1470 by Shamar Rinpoche and, after a dispute, was taken over by Pema Lingpa. The main chapel of the Dusum Sangay (past,…
Thimphu
Poised high above Simtokha Dzong at 3080m, this 15th-century goemba offers spectacular views over the peaks to the north and south of the capital and…
Paro
Paro's weekend market isn't very large but it has a traditional feel and is a fine introduction to some of Bhutan's unique local products, from organic…
Western Bhutan
A short excursion up the valley behind the Lhakhang Kharpo is Shelkar Drak (Crystal Cliff), a tiny, charming retreat centre perched on the limestone cliff…
Bhutan
If you have a spare half day in Trongsa or really want to get off the beaten track, consider driving and then hiking up to this meditation retreat high on…
Bhutan
Along the dirt road north of Tamshing, a short steep climb above the valley floor leads to the small Pema Sambhava Lhakhang. The original lhakhang was…
Eastern Bhutan
Lhuentse Rinchentse Phodrang Dzong, as it is correctly known, sits high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Kuri Chhu valley, with near-vertical drops on…
Western Bhutan
A 10-minute walk or short drive behind the Lhakhang Kharpo is the grey-walled Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Chapel), one of the oldest temples in the Haa valley…
Bhutan
The family that owns Ogyen (or Ugyen) Chholing has turned part of the complex into a museum to preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious…
Paro
Lovely Pena (or Puna) Lhakhang is ignored by most visitors to Paro, but is said to have been founded by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century,…
Eastern Bhutan
Inside this enormous and highly decorated statue are three levels of chapels. The statue of Guru Rinpoche on the entrance floor has an open mouth and…
Tashi Gongphel Bhutanese Paper
Paro
This small workshop in the Dop Shari valley northeast of Paro town is worth a visit to see how traditional paper is made from local daphne and edgeworthia…
National Institute for Zorig Chusum
Eastern Bhutan
This arts and crafts institute south of town was opened in 1997 to provide vocational training opportunities for those who aren't continuing in the higher…
Thimphu
Perched high above Trashi Chho Dzong, this hillside goemba was founded in 1750 and is being painstakingly reconstructed by a team of traditional…
Thimphu
Simply Bhutan is an interactive 'living' museum that gives a quick introduction to various aspects of traditional life in Bhutan. Visitors are greeted…
Bhutan
To get well off the beaten track make the short 10-minute hike up to this sacred Guru Rinpoche cave, 2km past Thangbi. A series of ladders leads pilgrims…
Paro
Also known as Tshongdoe Naktshang, the quiet and peaceful Druk Choeding is the town temple and an important historical site. It was built in 1525 by…
Thimphu
The views are spectacular on the approach to this peaceful monastery (3010m), reached via a prayer-flag-choked trail climbing above the BBS Tower. The…
Western Bhutan
By the tall cypress trees of the Wangdue district court is this timeless 17th-century temple dedicated to an ancient warrior king. The anteroom has a…
Thimphu
Set in a small orchard, this restored rammed-earth and timber building is furnished as it would have been about a century ago, providing a glimpse into…
Western Bhutan
After visiting the Tiger's Nest it is possible to take a signed side trail uphill for 15 minutes to this charming lhakhang, where Bhutanese pilgrims come…
Phobjikha Valley
This Nyingma-school shedra (Buddhist college) of 300 student monks has a unique fledgling tourist outreach program. Contact the office at least a day…
Thimphu
This government workshop, behind Thimphu's long-distance bus station, is a good place to see metalworkers producing repoussé work (with designs hammered…
Western Bhutan
Haa's 100-strong monk body is housed not in Haa's dzong (fort monastery) but in the recently renovated Lhakhang Kharpo (White Chapel) complex, just south…
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's Residence Memorial House
Western Bhutan
Just outside the Kyichu Lhakhang complex is this museum dedicated to Dilgo Khyentse (1910–91), the Tibetan Buddhist rinpoche (reincarnated Buddhist lama)…
Western Bhutan
This monastic school looks deceptively new but there are some fine darkened murals inside. Of note here is the mask-like statue of Tsering Ngodup, the…
Phobjikha Valley
On the east side of the Phobjikha valley, opposite Tabiting, is the 15th-century Khewang Lhakhang, one of the oldest in the valley. It features three…
Phobjikha Valley
A dirt road leads from the Kuenzang Chholing Shedra up to the Kumbhu Lhakhang (Kumbhu means '100,000 statues'), a protector chapel and meditation-retreat…
Sangchen Dorji Lhendrub Choling Nunnery
Western Bhutan
Above Wolakha on the way to Drolay Goemba is this thriving nunnery, which was financed by the fourth king's father-in-law to serve as a Buddhist college…
Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory
Thimphu
This small factory produces traditional Bhutanese paper handmade from the bark of the daphne bush. You can see the whole process, from soaking and boiling…
Western Bhutan
This temple crowning a hillock next to the Dochu La is well worth a visit to view its upper-floor cartoon-style modern murals. Images include the fourth…
Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory
Thimphu
Easily Thimphu's sweetest-smelling excursion, this traditional workshop churns out about 10,000 sticks of handmade incense every month. You can watch the…
