Place to see in Bhutan
Permits are required to visit all
monasteries, dzongs and sacred sites deemed of special significance.
These permits are issued by the Cultural Affairs Office in Thimphu.
* Scenery. As most of Bhutan is in the Himalayas and foothills,
scenery is mostly characterized by high mountains and towns
precariously perched on ridges. The Paro and Bumthang valleys are
especially impressive.
* The dzongs are ancient fortresses that now serve as the civil and
monastic administration headquarters of each district. Apart from
the architecture, which in itself makes a dzong worth visiting, they
also hold many art treasures.
Sacred sites
* Kurje Lhakhang, Jakar. A temple built around a cave with a body
print of Guru Rinpoche embedded in the wall. Guru Rinpoche practiced
meditation here on his first visit to Bhutan and as such it is the
earliest Buddhist relic in the country.
* Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), Paro. This is one of the most
important Buddhist sites in the world, and Guru Rinpoche visited
here on his second visit to Bhutan. The temple is built on a 1,200
meter cliff and is Bhutan's most well known sacred site.
* Singye Dzong , Lhuentse. This is is a sacred valley located near
the Tibetan border. The main temple in the valley was founded by
Yeshi Tsogyal, and Guru Rinpoche visited the region on his second
visit to Bhutan. However, partly due to the fact that the valley is
in a sensitive area near the border and also partly due to Bhutan
wishing to preserve the sanctity of its sacred sites, the valley is
not open for tourists.
Main Cities and towns
* Jakar, the administrative
headquarters of Bumthang District and the place where Buddhism
entered Bhutan.
* Mongar, the eastern commercial hub of the country.
* Paro, site of the international airport.
* Phuentsholing, Bhutan's commercial hub.
* Punakha, the old capital.
* Samdrup Jongkhar
* Thimphu, the largest city and capital of Bhutan.
* Trashigang, the most populous district in the country.
* Trongsa, in central Bhutan which has the largest and the most
magnificent of all the dzongs in Bhutan.
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