Bhutan Tourism

Thimphu

Thimpu, perhaps the most unnsual capital city in the world, is a bustling town on the banks of its own river and set gloriously in the hills of its own valley. A regal town, Thimphu is home to the revered Bhutanese Royal family and to several foreign missions and development projects.

On the blank of the river lies Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty the king of Bhutan. The National Assembly King of Bhutan. The National Assembly Hall is housed in a modern building on the other side of the river from the Dzong. Visitors are strictly prohibited from entering the government building at all during an active session.

Next to the Dzong is Bhutan’s only golf course. A nine-hole circuit that is far more picturesque than it is testing.

The thangka painting school in the heart of Thimphu is well worth visiting. With sun streaming through the window panes casting long shadows across the wooden slats, student monks in burgundy robes sit in the classroom for hours at a time learning from a saffron-robed elder.

Bhutan’s National Library is located close to the painting school and is also worth a look in. Housed in the library are some of the oldest records of Bhutanese history and religion.

A wonderful day’s outing from Timphu os a visit to Cheri and Tango Monasteries to the north of the town. They can be reached by road but many Thimphu residents go up to the monasteries for a daytrip by foot.

Thimphu’s charm is not embedded in its wealth of galleries, museums or places of historic interest. Visitors must wander along the main street and into shops, all of which are decorated in traditional style. Thimphu’s shopkeepers are delightfully helpful and will do their best to oblige even the smallest request. Bhutan’s famous stamp collections can be viewed and purchased in the request. Bhutan’s famous stamp collections can be viewed and purchased in the capital’s main post office.

Every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu’s scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. The field adjacent to the market are reserved on weekends for basketball and archery players. The latter, if dressed in full costume are a lovely sight.

Five miles from Thimphu stands the 17th Century Simtokha Dzong in the land houses the school for Buddhist studies. The road to Dorchula pass and on to eastern Bhutan winds its way upwards form Simtokha Dzong.


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