Thimphu

Memorial Chorten

Most valuable religious monument located in and around Thimphu, its just 5 mintues walkd from main traffic, one can see chorten at any time during day time.

While chortens are the most visible religious monuments found in and around Thimphu, the memorial chorten is special to the locals because it is, like the name suggests, built in memory of the father of Bhutan – His Majesty the Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Simtokha Dzong

Considered as the first Dzong in bghutan, The dzong construction started in 1627 by zhabdrung Ngawang Namgayal and later it was built by Chhoje Mipham Tshweang in year 1631.

The reconstruction of dzong is done in year 2008, while re-construction the originality and architectural beauty remained intact

National Library

One of oldest and largest library Established in 1976 to preserve ancient texts and litreture both in Dzongkha and Tibetan, it’s a place where you can get various books writing in local laguange on Bhutan’s history, culture and heritage.

Most of the books in library are printed on long strips of handmade paper stacked in pieces of wood and wrapped in silken cloths.

Traditional Medicine Institute (Indigenous)

In ancient time Bhutan was known as “Sothern Asia’s medicinal herbs”. The world popular medical facility are said to be collected from various medicinal herbs, plants & roots from the remote part of ngarden area of eden-like, these botanical gardens are then used to manufacture top quality of pills, tablets, ointments and various life saving medicine.

Due to high demand in Holistic approach of medical care in western world, these natural medical practices has attracted the world.

The Folk Heritage Museum

A century old Bhutanese traditional farm hous now converted into a Folk Heritage Musuem is a perfect place to let you experience the rural culture of Bhutan, after taking around trip of the museum one can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisine includes, butter tea, chillies, dried meat and lot more mouthwatering dishes.

Museum opened two decade back for visitors it showcase cultural heritage of Bhutan.

National Textile Museum

Managed by National commission for cultural affairs, the music has become a center of featuring the first hand waving techniques, various colorful arts and different type of handcraft arts.

The main prupose of the national musuems is to promote Bhutan’s hand-crafted textile to local and outside world.

The Trashichhoedzong

The Dzong (fortress) is famous monstery in souther part of the city, along the bank of the river Wang Chhu, is an architectural delight and houses the throne room, and offices of His Majesty the King and the ministries of home affairs and finance. It also is the summer residence of the dratshang (monk body).

The architurre of building of offeres high raising towers and pillars look alike a real palace.

Local Handicraft Shops:

There are several handicraft shops in Thimphu offering various selections of hand-woven and crafted products. Visitors will find beautiful weaves in wool, silk, cotton and basketwork. Thangkas and other traditional crafts are also available, including Bhutanese antiques and various souvenirs. There are also special selection of books on Buddhism and modern English writings by Bhutanese authors.

The Centenary Farmer’s Market:

The Centenary Farmers’ Market or the Weekend Market, north of Changlimithang Stadium, is situated along the bank of Wang Chhu. Come Thursday, and vendors from all over the country start pouring in and remain until Sunday night to sell their wares.

Walk around this double-storey market and you’ll find the air go from pungent to sweet to aromatic depending on the produce that is on display – from dried-fish to datse balls, seasonal vegetables and fruits and spices. Across the market and the footbridge (Kundeyling Baazam), one can find a collection of clothing and handicraft stalls. While there are wooden bowls, prayer beads, amulets, prayer wheels and the lot on offer, if you look carefully you could find some treasure amid the heap.

Changangkha Lhakhang

The ancient temple of 12th century temple perched on a hilltop above Thimphu valley constantly buzzes with pilgrim activity on regular basis. Its was build by Tibetan lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo and protective deity of the Lhakhang – Tamdrin, is supposed to bless newborns, hence parents from near and far come here to bless their children and get auspicious names for them.

Few minutes of walk from top toward road, the monastery offers panoramic view of entire Thimphu town.

Local Carft Bazaar

The local market Organized on Tuesday and Wednesday in Centenary Farmer’s market, under patronage of Department of cottage & small industry, the purpose is to give wider platform for local villagers and craftmans to sell there traditional arts and crafts. This market offers genuine Bhutanese arts & crafts at honsest pricing and good quality.

Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory

Junghi Paper factory has two seperate enterprises ; the unit in Thimphu produces traditional handmade paper from natural plants mainly from ‘Daphne’ plant species which is insect-resistant. The other unit in Jimina, 22 km from the centre Thimphu town, recycles waster papers. The traditional handmade papers are widely used for religious scripts, packing materials, hand-carry bags, lampshades, envelopes, calendars . These papers are exported around the world for natural instances and ecofriendly nature.

Zngthopelri Lhakhang

The temple is located next to the Changlimithang Stadium, it is called as route to heaven according to sacred books of Guru Ringpoche, renovation work done in 1960s and it possesses mural and art of treasure.

Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang):

The Buddha point is a huge statue in the green mountains of Bhutan, The massive three-storey throne holds several chapels and the Buddha’s body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues, made of bronze and gold. The design and architectural beauty looks very creative.

It is also regarded as one of the biggest Buddha Dordenma statues in the world. This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world.

Changlimithang Stadium & The Archery Range

The national stadium is in capital city Thimphu and in year 1885 the sight had famous battle of Changlimithang that helped Bhutan’s first king Sir Ugyen Wanchuk to establish Bhutan’s first political head.

The stadium is very popular for various national and international sports tournament, it is also known for archery compitional which also happned to be the national sports of Bhutan.