Thimphu

Thimphu (2,334m / 7657ft.)

In 1641 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal took over that Dzong from the Lhapa Kagyu, reconsecrated, and renamed it Tashichö-dzong. It was then established as the main seat of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu and the summer residence of the monastic body or sangha headed by Shabdrung Rinpoche.

Most of this original dzong was destroyed by fire in 1772 and a new dzong was built at the present site by the sixteenth Desi, Sonam Lhudrup, and it was then consecrated by the thirteenth Je Khenpo, Je Yonten Taye, who named the new Dzong Sonamchö-dzong. Following the death of the Desi it was renamed Tashichö-dzong after the old Dzong.

Trashichho Dzong
Also know as ‘fortress of the glorious religion’, it was initially built in 1641 and later rebuilt in its present form by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1965. The Dzong houses, main secretariat building and it also has the throne room of His Majesty, the king of Bhutan.

Memorial Chorten
This stupa was built in the memory of Bhutan’s third king, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Bhuddhist philosophy.

Simtokha Dzong
Five miles from Thimphu stands the 17th century Simtokha Dzong standing on a lofty ridge. Built in 1627, the oldest Dzong in the country, it now houses the School for Buddhist studies.

National Library
The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient text, the librar4y also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.

Arts & Crafts School
This school teaches the techniques of traditional thangkha paintings. On a visit, one can see students at work producing intricate design on cloth.

Folk Heritage Museum
Established in year 2001, it provides deep insight to classical Bhutanese rural lifestyle by displaying original artifacts.

Royal Textile Academy/Museum
Established in year 2001, it displays Bhutan’s finest woven embroidery and appliqué textiles along with age old production techniques like weaving, dying and spinning.

Dordenma Buddha
Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. 7th largest Buddha Statue in the world.

Bhutan Postal Museum
The main objective of the museum is to tell the story of Bhutan’s progress and development through the lens of the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. The story is told through anecdotes, artifacts and the rich assortment of stamps the country has produced over the years.