City: Bhutan
Top Things to do in Bhutan
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Things to do in Bhutan, Bhutan: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Remote Bhutan first allowed the world a peek inside in 1974. With four millennia of habitation, the Himalayan kingdom offers a trove of archaeological treasures, including many ornate temples and dzong fortresses. Isolation has preserved the heavily Buddhist-influenced culture of the last Shangri-La.
Restaurants in Bhutan
1. Mysterious Bhutan Tours and Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Our one day private tour will cover some of the most important places like Kuensel Phodrang where you can get blessed from the gigantic bronze Buddha standing at the height of 169 feet and one of the largest Buddha in the world. After that visit the Takin Reserve the national animal of Bhutan which is said to be found only in the Himalayas. Visit the Trashi Chhodzong and National Memorial Chorten.
2. Bhairav- Kunda Shiva Mandir
3. Tongsa Dzong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Malcolmle - Jerusalem, Israel
Do not miss it. It is one of the biggest and immpressive Dzongs in Bahutan. The view from the Dzong is wonderfull and if you are lucky you can see a interesting ritual service.
4. Choki Traditional Art School
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Choki Traditional Art School is the only privately run charitable institute that provides traditional arts & crafts training to the underprivileged youths of Bhutan. The school provides free tuition, food and lodging facility and promotes the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan.
Reviewed By mbboening - Durham, United States
Visiting the Choki school was an amazing opportunity to see first hand some of the traditional art that is unique to Bhutan. We walked through the classrooms while students were painting, weaving, carving, and sewing and watched as they learned and practiced. Some of the students answered questions or let us see their work close up. Some classes had 7or 8 students while others had just 1 or 2. A gift shop carries all original work from the students ( beautiful hand weaved scarves, paintings of Buddha and the surrounding mountains of Bhutan, purses and bags as well as various wood carvings). It was a wonderful place to find special gifts or mementos from Bhutan and the purchases go toward supporting the school. Our guide introduced us to the daughter of the founder who spent time explaining the mission and purpose of the school. Her father was a traditional painter who felt passionate about preserving the arts that are unique to Bhutan by providing a place to teach students while also giving those who don’t continue on to conventional school an opportunity to learn traditional skill that would serve them as a career and also persevere the history and rich culture of the Bhutanese arts and crafts. As with many European countries the children of Bhutan experience a selection process via examination that leads to some of them continuing conventional education via university. For the other children, private school or opportunity in the trades are also available. It’s impressive that some people have dedicated their lives to providing opportunities for those who have neither the academic background or economic ability for continued education. Choki is the only school in Bhutan that offers free education, food and lodging to students in the traditional arts of drawing, painting, weaving, embroidery, tailoring, wood carving and computer. The school is funded by donations and student sponsorships. It was clear that the school benefits from visitors who admire and support their mission as they have donors from around the world - now including Durham NC!
5. Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By Marf13669 - Ogdensburg, United States
The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang is a temple plus nunnery perched on a ridge overlooking Toebesa, Punakha and Wangdue valleys. The site is comprised of a double storied temple resembling Nepal’s Boudhanath Stupa and a nunnery complex. located on the top of a hill with 360 degree views across three valleys. The complex has a very serene feel where Buddhism can be practiced with ease. We were lucky enough to view nuns chanting in the temple. The site is breathtakingly beautiful.
6. Gangtey Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By JayJay1668 - Vancouver, Canada
The monastery was recently renovated when we went and looked wonderful. However, the main attraction for us was attending the Black-Necked Crane Festival celebrating the annual migration of the very important bird to the Phobjikha region. The colors, sounds and dance were memorizing. Outside, you could walk along and see all the local families enjoying the celebratory markets and activities marking the special day. Highly recommend it for the serious traveler.
7. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By Bhutantoursntreks - Thimphu, Bhutan
Driving north of Punakha along the mochhu river itself offers a great deal of that rustic rural Bhutan ambiance with traditional villages and beautiful rice fields. After about an hours drive we can already have a glance of this magnificent tall stupa sitting right above a small ridge surrounded by terraces of rice fields. To get to the stupa we have to cross a small bridge over the mochhu river and stroll between those small path between green rice fields. Often we see villagers working at the fields living a simple daily lives. Few strolls later we ascend upon the ridge which takes just about half hour if you are fit enough. Once on top the intricate design of the stupa welcomes us with its amazing beauty and spirituality. You can also enter this large stupa which is up close a large temple and then climb its upper floors to set foot unto its balcony to enjoy the amazing and panoramic view of Punakha valley below. Mochhu river flows winding through the valley with villages and rice fields, and rich forests on either sides. Then bordering the valley with huge ridges. It feels so peaceful up there looking down the valley and its definitely worth the visit!
8. Punakha Suspension Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 551 reviews
Reviewed By shyamankur - Bongaigaon, India
This is long hanging bridge. Pl visit during evening. its beautiful all around and nice experience to walk in this bridge.
9. Jakar Dzong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By BhutanSwalowtailTour - Thimphu, Bhutan
Jakar Dzong or the Fortress of the White Bird is strategically located on a ridge overlooking the beautiful and wide Bumthang valley of traditional houses, a small domestic airport strip, colorful new buildings and fertile fields. From a distance, the Dzong look like a white bird amid the lush green landscape, although the significance of the white bird is more divine and spiritual. Initially, while selecting a site for building a temple, a big white bird is supposed to have risen from the current site signifying a positive omen and thus a temple was built then. About 100 years later in 1667, the temple was extended into the current structure/fortress and named Jakar Dzong. Over the centuries, the Dzong played an important role in defending off many Tibetan invasion and was a stronghold for the security of the central and eastern Bhutan. Even though the Dzongs in Punakha, Thimphu and Trongsa look bigger, however the Jakar Dzong is considered the biggest with a circumference of more than 1,500 meters. The two unique and special features of the Jakar Dzong is its 50 meters high Utse (central tower) attached to the main eastern wall and its well protected water supply source (important in-case of a siege in the olden days). Like all the Dzongs in the country, the Jakar Dzong houses the district administration offices, few temples and monk’s living quarters. A visitor can interact with the young novice monks and also enjoy the scenic views of the beautiful valley below.
10. Jambay Lhakhang Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By BhutanSwalowtailTour - Thimphu, Bhutan
Jambay Lhakhang or the Temple of Maitreya is located in the beautiful valley of Bumthang and a short drive from the main town. Jambay Lhakhang was built in the early 6th Century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo credited for introducing Buddhism to Tibet and he is believed to be a manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion (Avalokitesvara) of whom the Dalai Lamas are similarly believed to be a manifestation of. Jambay Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples built by King Songtsen Gampo to subdue a giant ogress that was preventing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. After subjugation, the body of the ogress was laid across the Himalayas (of Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal) and the King built 108 temples over the body of which the Kyichu Lhakhang is said to be constructed on the left knee of the ogress. The Lhakhang was visited by Guru Rinpoche and many saints over the years and is a treasure house of many ancient relics, artifacts and statues of prominent Buddhists figures. Like all ancient temples, the Jambay Lhakhang consists of a central shrine with a circumambulation path flanked by devotees every day. The central shrine contains a large statue of Buddha Maitreya, framed on either side by four Bodhisattvas. The ground floor houses the statues of the Past, Present and Future Buddhas. On the upper floor, the sanctuary contains remarkable paintings of Zangdopelri, the Glorious Copper Colored Paradise of Guru Rinpoche and the paradise of Amitabha (the Buddha of infinite light). The most unique and astonishing Naked Dance is performed on the grounds of the Lhakhang every year during the Jambay Lhakhang Drup/Festival. Sixteen men dance around the Temple completely naked at midnight, and the dance has many religious significance centered around the forces of evil and good. Another important dance is the Mewang or the Fire Dance performed to bless infertile women to bear children.
