Things To See:
Paro
Paro dzong is the centre of civil and religious authority in the paro valley in western bhutan. There is nothing that looks like a city in this valley just a street village with a few shops and restaurants .paro hosts the only international airport in bhutan since it was the only valley that was large enough for the run way. The airport has one runway and serves a single airline druk air which owns 2 aircrafts.
Drukyel Dzong:
Drukyel dzongis situated 14 km fromparoat the end of the road.drukgyel villageis lying nearby (3 km in direction of paro) this dzong was built on location chosen for control of the routes to tibet. In1647theshabdrung shabdrung ngawang namgyelerected thedrukgyel dzong,just north oftaktshang,in commemoration of the victory over the tibetans in1644.the shabdrungto celebrate both the unification of bhutan and the defeat of their northern rivals, thetibetans.
Thankha Painitings:
Originally, thangka painting became popular among traveling monks because the scroll paintings were easily rolled and transported from monastery to monastery. These thangka served as an important teaching tools depicting the life of the buddha, various influential lamas and other deities and bodhisattvas. One popular subject is the wheel of life, which is a visual representation of the abhidharma teachings (art of enlightenment).
Taktsang Monastry :
It is also referred to as the “tiger’s nest”, the taktsang monastery is a treat for the eyes of a huge number of tourists and visitors (pilgrims) every year. The legend behind the sacred landmark’s history narrates that in the 7th century (some sources quote the time as the 8th century) guru rimpoche fled from tibet, china. In his pursuit of finding a recluse, he flew over the grand himalaya sitting on the back of a tigress. Upon reaching the shrine’s present day location, the guru meditated for round about 90 days in a cave. The taktsang monastery hosts a spectacular construction and design that leave its viewers mesmerized and in a trance. Located in the vicinity of paro valley (western bhutan), the trip to taktsang monastery would be a meager 20 minutes if your car could ride all the way to the top.
Paro Dzong
The paro dzong was rebuilt by the penlop dawa penjor after the fire. House within its walls is a collection of sacred masks and costumes. Some date back several centuries; others were contributed by dawa penjor and his successor penlop tshering penjor in recent times.
National Museum :
National museum of bhutan is a cultural museum in the town of paro in western bhutan. Established in 1968.today the national museum has in its possession over 3,000 works of bhutanese art, covering more than 1,500 years of bhutan’s cultural heritage. Its rich holdings of various creative traditions and disciplines, represent a remarkable blend of the past with the present and is a major attraction for local and foreign visitors. The paro dzong was rebuilt by the penlop dawa penjor after the fire.housed within its walls is a collection of sacred masks and costumes. Some date back several centuries; others were contributed by dawa penjor and his successor penlop tshering penjor in recent times.
Thimphu:
Thimpu is the capital and largest city of bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of bhutan and the name of the surrounding valley is dzongkhag, the thimphu district.the city became the capital of bhutan in 1961.
Memorial Chorten:
This large impressive monument with its golden spire was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third king, his majesty jigme dorji wangchuck (1928 – 1972).built by his mother her majesty the late queen ashi phuntsho choden wangchuck, the whitewashed chorten is decorated with richly carved annexes facing the four directions, and features elaborate mandalas, statues and a shrine dedicated to the popular third king. There are numerous religious paintings and complex tantric statues housed inside reflecting both peaceful and wrathful aspects of buddhist deities. The memorial chorten, with its sun-catching golden finial, is one of the most visible religious structures in thimphu.
Wangdi
Set in a curving valley with fields of grazing cattle wangdiphodrang has a beautiful dzong. It also has a very spectacular bridge over the river. It holds the wangdi tsechu (festival) in mid september wangdi phodrang(or wangdi) is situated 70 km (three hours’ drive) southeast of thimphu. The wangdi phodrang dzong played a key role during the unification of bhutan.
Dochu La Pass
Dochula pass which is the most known pass in bhutan is just 30 odd km drive from the capital city thimphu on the way towards central bhutan. Dochula pass is around 3150 meter from sea level and it’s mostly covered with white clouds, where on a clear day you can see spectacular view of the mighty himalayan mountain ranges. Dochula pass serves the stop for all the passer by traveling to and fro to punakha and wandgi for a hot cup of coffee well served from the dochula cafeteria located just above the beautiful dochula pass.
Gangtey Gompa
Situated south of the road and east of wangdue phodrang is gangtey gompa, an old monastery dating back to the 17th century.the gompa on the valley floor is the village of phobjika. This is the winter home of the famous black-necked cranes. The cranes migrate from the high plains of the tibetan plateau in winter to the milder climate of phobjika.
Gangtey Palace:
Gangtey palace was built over a 100 years ago by his highness dawa penjor uncle of the first king of bhutan and kusho / penlop(governor) of paro valley. The palace belonged to the royal family until the 1930s when it was given to a member of a prominent aristocratic family raja s.t dorji.today, his grandson is the owner. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of paro valley, gangtey palace offers a unique place to stay and relax .in 1995 the building was converted into a hotel yet has managed to maintain the charm and intimacy of a family home.
Punakha:
Punakha is the least elevated of bhutan’s central valleys and famous for its benign climate in which fruit trees flourish within sight of the snow-crested himalayan mountains. It is the administrative centre of punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of bhutan. Punakha was the capital of bhutan and the seat of government until 1955.
Punakha Dzong
The punakha dzong, also known as pungtang dechen photrang dzong (meaning “the palace of great happiness or bliss”) is the administrative centre of punakha dzongkhag in punakha, bhutan. Constructed by zhabdrung (shabdrung) ngawang namgyal in 1637-38, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in bhutan and one of its most majestic structures.