Are you planning a trip to the kingdom of Bhutan? If so, then the vibrant capital city of Thimpu should be on your itinerary. I had taken a solo trip to Bhutan and I can assure you that Thimphu is the place that offers everything you need! With its unique blend of modern amenities and ancient traditions, Thimpu offers a captivating experience for travelers seeking adventure and cultural immersion.
In this blog, I’ll take you on a virtual journey through the places to visit in Thimpu that you MUST not miss.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
15 Exciting Places to Visit in Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong
Tashichho Dzong literally means Fortress of the glorious religion. The first Tashichho Dzong was built by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. Later it was rebuilt by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who renamed it Tashichho Dzong.
The original dzong was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in its current form. Later it served as the official residence of the Bhutanese king and declared as the official seat of the Bhutanese government. It is also a major Buddhist monastery, home to over 200 monks.
The dzong is a symbol of Bhutanese identity and culture, and it is one of the most popular places to visit in Thimphu.
Please note that photography is not allowed inside and ensure to wear modest clothes while entering.
Entry Fees:
Tourists: BTN 500
Students: BTN 150
Tariff payers and children under 5: Free
Distance from Thimphu city center: About 2 km from the city center.
Opening Hours:
Weekdays: 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Weekends: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
National Memorial Chorten
Chorten or stupa translates to the Buddhist Shrine; National Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the third Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and it symbolizes world peace and prosperity.
It is made of mud, brick, and stone, and it is covered with gold leaf.
The Chorten has four main levels, each representing a different aspect of the Buddha’s life. The ground floor contains a prayer hall and a library. The second floor contains a chapel and a shrine. The third floor contains a meditation hall. The fourth floor is a stupa dome, which contains a relic of the Buddha.
Entry Fees:
Tourists: BTN 300
Students: BTN 150
Bhutanese Residents: Free
Tariff payers and children under 5: Free
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Distance from Thimphu city center: 0 km.
Changangkha Lhakhang
If you want to learn about Bhutanese culture and religion, this is the best place for you. Changangkha Lhakhang is one of the most important places to visit in Bhutan.
It is believed to have been built in the 12th century by Lama Druptob Sangye and one of the oldest temples in Thimphu, Bhutan.
The temple was originally a small wooden structure, but it was rebuilt in the 17th century by the first Druk Gyalpo, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The temple is dedicated to the deity Avalokiteshvara, who is known as the Lord of Compassion. It is also home to a statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni.
The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and its peaceful atmosphere.
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 2 km
Opening Hours:
The temple is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Entry Fees:
Tourists: BTN 300
Students: BTN 150
Bhutanese Residents: Free
Tariff payers and children under 5: Free
Buddha Dordenma
Buddha Dordenma is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world, located in the Kuensel Phodrang Park in Thimphu, Bhutan. It stands at a towering height of 51.5 meters (169 feet), making it one of the prominent places to visit in Thimphu.
The statue is made of bronze and is adorned with gold-plated ornaments. It symbolizes the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment and his teachings.
The most astonishing thing about this place is- it has around 125000 miniature bronze buddha statues inside representing the 125,000 disciples of Buddha.
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm Throughout the week
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 6 km
Tango Goemba
It is a Buddhist monastery located in the Cheri Mountains, about 9 miles north of Thimphu. The important thing about this monastery is most of the Religious leaders have taken 9 years training here!
Founded by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, and it was later rebuilt in the 17th century by the Temporal Ruler, Tenzin Rabgye. In 1616, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal visited Tango Goemba and meditated in a nearby cave. In gratitude, he carved a sandalwood statue of Chenresig, which he installed in the monastery.
It is one of the popular places to visit in Thimphu for adventure and culture seekers. You will have to hike for a couple of hours to reach this monastery.
There is a small restaurant at the monastery, where you can get a meal or a cup of tea.
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 8 am–5 pm Throughout the week
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 14 kms
National Folk Heritage Museum
This museum is an 18th century old house that is restored and now converted into a museum. It was built by the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.
If you are someone who wants to learn about the authentic, rural life of Bhutan, then you MUST visit this place. The queen’s vision for this museum was to connect people to Bhutan’s rich heritage and authentic lifestyle.
Entry Fee: For SARRC Residents: 30 Nu; for Non-Residents: 150 Nu
Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm Throughout the week
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 2.4 kms
National Institute for Zorig Chusum
Bhutan focuses mainly on preserving and promoting its culture. This institute is dedicated to preserving and promoting the country’s rich artistic heritage.
The institute’s name, “Zorig Chusum,” translates to “Thirteen Arts and Crafts.” This refers to the thirteen traditional art forms that are taught at the institute. These art forms have been passed down through generations for centuries and are deeply ingrained in Bhutanese culture.
The institute offers a four-year apprenticeship program in which students specialize in one of the thirteen traditional art forms.
The institute has a museum and a gift shop where visitors can view examples of traditional Bhutanese art
and purchase handicrafts made by students and faculty.
Entry Fee: 200 Nu
Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm Monday- Friday
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 2.7 kms
Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan
The academy offers training in traditional Bhutanese weaving techniques, ensuring that these skills are passed down to future generations.
It was founded in 1997 under the patronage of Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck. The academy was established to train individuals in traditional Bhutanese weaving techniques and to conserve and preserve the country’s textile heritage.
It is a non-government, non-profit organization that operates as an educational center.
It was the first institution in Bhutan to practice and impart global methods and techniques of conservation and preservation of textiles and other artifacts.
The academy also has a museum that houses a collection of traditional Bhutanese textiles.
Entry Fee: international: 500 Nu
Regional tourists and Bhutanese visitors: Nu. 100 for
Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm Monday- Saturday
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 2.2 kms
Simply Bhutan
SImply Bhutan Museum is one of the best places to visit in Thimphu and here’s why-
This museum is everything you need to experience in Bhutan culture! The moment you step in, you will be assigned a guide who will serve you their local light wine (which is unlimited). Then they will give you information about Bhutan’s historical background.
You will see various masks they wear during religious festivals and their significance, different traditional musical instruments, etc. You will see how they made houses traditionally with mud and how these people sing traditional songs and dance while building these houses. (they will perform for you).
Then you will experience many things such as- Bhutan’s national game archery, their victory dance, butter tea, local snacks, rice, authentic Bhutanese houses, food preservation methods, traditional equipment and what not! If you want to know Bhutanese lifestyle, this museum is a place for you!
Entry Fee: 1000 Nu
Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm Throughout the week
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 1 kms
Clock Tower Square
It is a place where you will see locals spending their time at leisure. You can shop, stroll, eat or just sit here. This place offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and gives a glimpse of day-to-day life of Bhutanese people.
Dochula Pass
It is a scenic mountain pass from the road between Thimphu- Punakha. This is one of the important sites in Thimphu. There are a total 108 stupas built in the memory of each soldier that lost their lives in the war of 2003.
You can see panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, including Mt. Gangkar Puensum (the highest peak in Bhutan).
Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple) is there which is dedicated to the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
There are several cafes and restaurants near the pass where you can enjoy local cuisine and beverages.
Dochula Pass is a popular tourist destination, so it can get crowded during peak seasons.
There is no entry fee as this is a pass! Visit it from September to February as your views will not be disturbed because of the fogg.
Motithang Takin Preserve
Takin is a national animal of Bhutan which has the body of a cow and a face of a goat. They are large, muscular animals with a distinctive appearance. They have a long, thick coat, a prominent hump on their shoulders, and a short, sturdy tail. These animals are known for their peaceful demeanor and their unique grazing habits.
It is also believed in Bhutan that the Tantric master and a Tibetan saint Drukpa Kunley created this animal by miracle.
This preserve was established to protect and conserve takins, which were once threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
Entry Fee: 30 Nu for SAARC nationals and 50 Nu for other foreign tourists.
Opening Hours: Every day, except Mondays 9 am – 4 pm.
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 4.3 kms
Royal Botanical Garden
It is home to a diverse collection of plants and flowers, including many native species. The garden features a wide variety of plants, including rhododendrons, primulas, magnolias, a collection of ornamental plants, and a variety of herbs and medicinal plants too.
There are several nature trails that goes amidst great landscapes and a few picnic spots where you can enjoy your meals with your loved ones for a sitback, relaxed day!
Entry Fee: 30 Nu for SAARC nationals and 50 Nu for other foreign tourists.
Opening Hours: Every day, except Mondays 9 am – 4 pm.
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 9 kms
National Library of Bhutan
The National Library of Bhutan is a significant cultural institution in Bhutan, located in Thimphu. It plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage through its extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and other valuable materials.
The library provides researchers and scholars with access to valuable resources for their studies on Bhutanese history, culture, and language. It supports academic research and contributes to the development of knowledge in these fields.
Entry Fee: 100 Nu
Opening Hours: Monday- Friday 9 am – 4 pm.
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 2.3 kms
National Institute of Traditional Medicine
It is one of the prominent places to visit in Thimphu because it is dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Bhutanese medicine.
The NITM was established in 1994 with the aim of revitalizing and promoting traditional Bhutanese medicine.
The institute conducts research on traditional Bhutanese medicine to validate its efficacy and safety. It also explores ways to integrate traditional medicine into modern healthcare systems.
Entry Fee: BTN 100 for SAARC nationals and BTN 200 for non-SAARC nationals
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM
Distance from Thimphu City Center: 2.4 kms
Changlimithang Archery Ground
Archery is a national sport of Bhutan. If you are lucky enough you may witness archery tournaments in the country. Otherwise at Changlimithang Archery Ground, you will find locals practicing archery.
It was made for practicing archery but also holds various tournaments. There are no entry fees for this. You can simply visit and sit there while watching them hit the target.
It is just like any other cricket practicing ground in India!
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