The capital city of Thimphu is one of the best places to visit in Bhutan. Booking your trip with local travel agencies in Bhutan is one of the best ways to explore the town. Known for its perfect blend of ancient sites and vibrant cultures, Thimphu is home to numerous sightseeing destinations making it one of the most fascinating places in the country.
Whether you are an adventure seeker or travelling with your family to spend a memorable vacation in Bhutan, Thimphu is sure to offer you a unique travelling experience. This blog will talk briefly about some of the most popular places in Thimphu that are a must-visit during your trip to Bhutan.
Following are the 30 best places to visit in Thimphu if you are planning to visit Bhutan this year.
1. Buddha Dordenma
The iconic landmark of Thimphu, Buddha Dordenma is known for its 51m tall gold-painted statue of Buddha placed on the top of the hill. The place also holds 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha located all over the place. The place is a common popular site which offers breathtaking views of the nearby places.
2. Memorial Chorten
Memorial Chorten is a common pilgrimage site of Thimphu that welcomes devotees from all over the country. Surrounded by an abundance of marvellous architecture and wall carvings, the Chorten offers the true culture of Bhutan. Filled with the enchantment of the monks and the alluring smell of incense sticks, this is a must-visit place in Thimphu.
3. Folk Heritage Museum
The Folk Heritage Museum is the tradition centre established to preserve the folk tradition and rituals of Bhutan. The museum was set up in the year 2001 which exhibits arts, crafts, farming tools and household objects that were used in early Bhutan. The museum is the perfect place to acknowledge the old-age culture and traditions of Bhutan.
4. Motithang Takin Preserve
Takin is one of the most unique animals of the Himalayan region, considered the national animal of Bhutan. Motithang Takin Preserve is the protected area for the Takin where they live in their natural habitat. Along with Takin, the preserve is also home to other Himalayan animal and bird species.
5. Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan
Established in the year 2005, the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan is among the most popular tourist sites in Thimphu. The institute is known for educating younger generations on the traditional way of hand weaving. The place also showcases the beautiful textiles and clothes of the king of Bhutan.
6. Jigme Dorji National Park
The largest national park in the country, Jigme Dorji National Park is the gem of western Thimphu. Filled with an abundance of natural beauty and rich wildlife, the park offers a splendid view of the nearby valleys along with glimpses of the Himalayan range. The park is also home to rare animal species such as Red Panda and Snow Leopard.
7. Simply Bhutan
When it comes to Thimphu sightseeing, Simply Bhutan comes forward as one of the most preferred places among tourists. The iconic museum displays the rich culture and traditions of Bhutan using artefacts and clothes that date back centuries. The place also informs about the evolution of archery in Bhutan.
8. National Library of Bhutan
Built-in 1967, the National Library of Bhutan houses some of the oldest manuscripts and texts related to Buddhism. The library also houses numerous wall paintings and art that inform about the historical incidents of Bhutan.
9. Clock Tower Square
Placed in the centre of Thimphu town, the Clock Tower Square is a tourism hub where tourists visit in huge numbers. Surrounded by local shops and restaurants the tower includes a four-sided clock along with beautiful paintings and carvings that depict the marvel of Bhutanese architecture.
10. Bhutan Postal Museum
The Postal Museum of Bhutan is another fascinating place to visit in Thimphu that informs about the evolutions of communication over the years. The place houses a collection of stamps and artefacts located within a gallery. The place also includes a cafe that offers the local cuisine of Bhutan.
11. Royal Botanical Garden
Situated on the way to Dochula Pass, the botanical garden is home to more than 500 species of plants. The garden is spread across 47 sq km of land and offers multiple activities to indulge in, making it an ideal place for family outings.
12. Terton Gallery
Founded to preserve the art of Bhutan, the gallery houses some of the most fascinating paintings and art created by some of the renowned artists of the country. The place also features various art forms that illustrate the life stage of Buddha which are the key highlight of this place.
13. Ludrong Memorial Garden
The Ludrong Memorial Garden is another popular Thimphu sightseeing place that is considered among the best in town. Founded in the memory of Jigme Palden Dorji, former prime minister of Bhutan, the place is popular among nature lovers.
14. Coronation Park
Located on the banks of River Wangchu, Coronation Park is one of the most popular tourist sites in Thimphu. At the centre of the park lies a beautiful statue of Buddha that marks the landmark of this park. The park is filled with lush green flora housing more than 60 species of plants and trees.
15. Trashi Chho Dzong
Placed in the northern part of Thimphu, the Trashi Chho Dzong is the iconic fortress known for its architectural marvel and scenic natural beauty. The sacred Dzong is a protected area of Bhutan and only a few parts of it can be explored by outsiders.
16. Changangkha Lhakhang
This is one of the oldest temples of Bhutan dating back to the early 12th century. The temple is a pilgrimage site for the people of both Hindu as well as Buddhist communities. On a clear day, the place offers one of the most beautiful views of the surrounding valleys.
17. Dochula Pass
Situated on the way to Punakha from Thimphu, Dochula Pass is one of the most popular tourist sites. With an altitude of 3,100 m above sea level, the place is also recognized among some of the highest motorable passes in the country. The memorial is the main attraction of this place which houses 108 stupas, built to commemorate all the soldiers who lost their lives protecting the country.
18. Thimphu Weekend Market
Filled with bustling markets and food shops, the weekend market is a must-visit in Thimphu. Placed in the centre of the city, the market allows tourists to buy traditional items and serves delicious dishes of Bhutanese cuisine that are sure to offer you a unique experience.
19. Simtokha Dzong
Situated at a distance of 5 km from the main town of Thimphu, Simtokha Dzong is a religious site that offers tourists insights into the traditional culture of Bhutan. Popularly known as the palace of secret mantras, the Dzong offers a panoramic view of the nearby valleys.
20. Tango Monastery
Tango Monastery is a popular Buddhist learning centre located on top of the Cheri Mountains. The monastery is located at an offbeat place so you might need to contact tour operators in Bhutan, who can guide you to the destination. The journey includes a 1 hour trek but offers one of the best views of the nearby valleys.
21. Cheri Gompa
The Cheri Gompa is the oldest monastery in the country dating back to 1620. Located at an offbeat place, the monastery can be reached with an hour-long hike. Known for its peaceful environment and scenic natural beauty, the monastery is an ideal place for nature lovers and people into spirituality.
22. Bhutan Post Office Headquarters
Located in the centre of the town, the Bhutan Post Office Headquarters is a must-visit place in Thimphu. Known for being home to the largest photo book in the world, this headquarters is home to old traditional stamps that reflect the evolution in the communication of Bhutan.
23. National Institute of Traditional Medicine
Bhutan is widely known for its unique techniques that are used to produce vital medicines and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine is the best place to witness those techniques. The institute houses herbs and stones that have been collected from various parts of the Himalayas over the ages.
24. Choki Traditional Art School
Founded in 1999, the art school of Thimphu is one of the only places in Bhutan that encourages new generations to learn traditional art such as wood carvings, paintings and many more. The school comprises some of the most renowned artists in the country and teaches traditional art forms to kids.
25. Changlimithang Archery Ground
Located adjacent to the Thimphu Clock Tower, the Changlimithang Archery Ground is a beautiful place to visit in the town. The ground offers to experience the fun of archery, the national sport of Bhutan. From wooden bows to modern fibre compound bows, there are varieties of ways you can experience archery in Bhutan.
26. Pangri Zampa
Situated at a distance of 8 km from the city of Thimphu, Pangri Zampa is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries of Bhutan. Founded in the year 1616 by Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyal the monastery is among the most popular tourist place in Thimphu.
27. Changlimithang Stadium
Situated adjacent to the Changlimithang Archery Ground, the Changlimithang Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in Thimphu built in the year 1885. The stadium also hosts various sporting events including archery tournaments in the month of February.
28. Wangditse Goemba
Founded in the year 1750, this is one of the oldest monasteries of Thimphu. Located at an offbeat destination the monastery is popular among adventure seekers, as hiking is the only way to reach the monastery. Surrounded by lush green trees and beautiful buildings, this is probably one of the best places to visit in Thimphu.
29. Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory
The paper factory has a huge significance to the Buddhist people as it is the only place in the entire city that uses ancient techniques of making paper using hand. This is the best place to witness the ancient art of paper making and includes shops where you can buy souvenirs.
30. National Institute for Zorig Chusum
One of the most popular painting schools in town, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum is the best place to learn the traditional paintings of Bhutan taught by some of the renowned artists of the city. Apart from painting, the institute also teaches other art forms such as ornament making, sewing, carvings and many more.
Thimphu is home to numerous sightseeing destinations that can be travelled with proper guidance from travel agencies in Bhutan. Apart from these sightseeing places, there are many other attractions located on the outskirts of Thimphu that can be visited with expert guidance.
The capital city of Thimphu is one of the most popular tourist places that have everything for all types of travellers. However, it is better to make a proper plan regarding your travelling needs so that you can cover most of the attractions as per your travelling needs and interests.
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