City: Bhutan
Top Things to do in Bhutan
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Bhutan, Bhutan
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. Punakha Dzong
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,390 reviews
Reviewed By Bhutan_Visit - Thimphu, Bhutan
Punakha Dzong (Fort); One of the most high light place to visit in Bhutan and this fort is very important in the history of Bhutan. It is also the finest example of Bhutanese architecture and also built in a strategic location, confluence of two rivers ( mo chu -Mother river and pho chu -Father river) Join us #bhtc for a trip to Bhutan:
2. Paro Taktsang
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,317 reviews
Reviewed By chin570909 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This is really the best place to visit in Bhutan! But you must be fit to hike to the temple, we took 1hr to reach mid height cafe , another 1 hour to reach viewing point, then another 30mins to climb 800steps (down and upstairs) to reach the temple!!! Amazing view and beautiful landscapes and wonderful temple sit at the side of the cliff 900m above paro valley!!!
3. Phobjikha Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Dee255 - The Hague, The Netherlands
Beautiful valley for hiking. Bonus is seeing the back neck cranes that roost here in the winter. Stayed at a farm house in Mole and highly recommend this experience. Enjoy day hikes in the region and relax with a hot stone bath.
4. Rinpung Dzong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 678 reviews
Reviewed By navjotd2019 - New Delhi, India
Rinpung Dzong, popularly know as, Paro Dzong is situated in the Paro Valley. This Dzong is a monastery and also houses the administrative offices of the valley. The entry will require you to be with a guide and you need to pay ₹500 for the visit and guide's fee. The monastery is beautiful and you will learn a lot about Buddhism. Once you have been inside, the guide will allow you to take a stroll outside the monastery and photography is allowed only outside the Dzong. There is a vast balcony that outlooks the Paro Valley and the international airport. If you are carrying luggage, the guide will allow you to leave it outside the monastery.
5. Paro River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By hameshaIndia - New Delhi, India
Paro Chu river meets Wang chu river at Paro town. There is a bridge each on both rivers. The walk form one bridge to the other would be one km. On many occasions we spent time with the river. Its a fast flowing mountain river and it looks different every single day based on the type of light and the cloud cover. One day it is light green, another day faint blue, a third day grey, and there are rocks perhaps in the middle and so it jumps over them and creates ripples and it flows beautifully. I don't think we have enjoyed a river as much as we enjoyed Paro River before.
6. Kurje Lhakhang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By wlliew - Nikko, Japan
One of the most important temple in Buddhism with a cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and left his body imprint. We were extremely lucky that the temple where the cave was located was open on the day we were there due to it being an auspicious day.
7. Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 828 reviews
Reviewed By kersya - Mumbai, India
A beautiful fortress now converted into a administrative building, and a temple. The Temple is outstanding, the paintings, frescos on the walls are very colourful and have deep meaning. There is a big courtyard behind the temple that holds dance festivals
8. Buddha Dordenma
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,234 reviews
Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The statue houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Great Buddha Dordenma itself, are made of bronze and gilded in gold. The Great Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Desi Druk, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Construction began in 2006 and was planned to finish in October 2010, however construction did not conclude until 25 September 2015. The completed work is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at 169 feet (52 m) and contains 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded bronze Buddhas.
Reviewed By Journey2shangrila - Thimphu, Bhutan
A slow drive up the hill towards the statue opens up panoramic view of Thimphu Valley.. Once up there, the scenic spot engulfs you and the astonishing enormous statue of Buddha, gently staring down, evokes a feeling of calmness and peace. The short hike from Kuenselphodrang is beautiful.
9. National Institute for Zorig Chusum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By AZCasualTraveler - Mesa, United States
The National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu was created by the government to promote Bhutan's traditional contemporary art forms. I have read that the words "Zorig Chusum" literally means "Thirteen Crafts." The thirteen Bhutan art forms are: Traditional Painting, Sculpturing, Wood Carving, Calligraphy, Paper making, Bronze Casting, Embroidery, Weaving, Carpentry, Masonry, Bamboo and cane weaving, Gold/Silver Smithy, Black smithy. The Institute has various classrooms with instructors who teach students these 13 art forms. After the students are taught these various art forms, they are then tested to determine their knowledge of these art forms. When our small group tour was visiting the Institute, there were several classrooms that were "Closed for Testing" with a sign on the door(s) indicating that testing was in progress. The items or goods that are made in the classrooms are being sold at the Institute's gift shop or "Showroom", and at various gift shops throughout Thimphu city. In summary, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum was quite interesting - knowing that Bhutan's government is genuinely interested in keeping Bhutan's rich history in it's 13 art forms.
10. Tango Buddhist Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By PamelaSS888 - Canberra, Australia
When you visit Bhutan, one of the first places you may be taken to is the Tango Buddhist Institute, not far out of the capital Thimpu. It was founded in the 13th century and built in its present form in 1688. Make sure your guide and driver are as well prepared as ours were as they served lovely hot tea, coffee and snacks by a huge golden prayer wheel before the start of the hike up to the monastery. Everywhere in Bhutan is up or down and this well made path takes a good hour to walk up but you can get there one step at a time. It is worth the hike with spectacular views across the valleys and ancient temple buildings too see. Also make sure your guide takes you down the hill a bit to the ancient caves and a smaller temple - more stairs to climb up into the cave area but well worth a visit. When you go to the cave area, it is best not to walk around the outside in a clockwise direction in case you slip off. So return the way you entered back up the path. The trees and shrubs around the area are lovely and it is a very good place to start your visit to Bhutan as it gives you a good feel of the ancient monasteries and scenery.
