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Thimphu Travel Guide

Thimphu- the capital city of Bhutan is undoubtedly one of its kind. The city has endless things to be explored and that too in every aspect. Serving as a home to more than 100,000 inhabitants incorporating the Royal families too, Thimpu is a tiny destination comprising big things for being experience with it. Indulge in the most appropriate fusion of history and the contemporary Bhutanese lifestyle of this highly modern hub. Thimpu is a technologically advanced city in Bhutan and is also known to be amongst some of those rare Bhutanese cities where ATMs facilities are prevalent. Bringing for you a crystal and clear illustration of the culture of Bhutan, this ravishing place is an amalgamation of many tourists’ attractions such as the Clock Tower Square, Tango and Chari Monasteries, National Memorial Chorten, Semtokha Dzong and varied others.

Thimphu Map
Population

100,000

Top Sites

Tashichhoe Dzong, National Museum, Buddha Point, Dochula Pass, Zilingkha Palace

Temprature
Summer
April to June

22°C to 25°C

Monsoon
July to Sep

18°C to 20°C

Winter
Oct to Feb

10°C to 12°C

An Insight into Thimphu Tourism

The Juxtapositions of Old & New Is Thimphu's Charm

Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu is located in the western central part and is the administrative town, with the royal family residing here. It is the largest city of Bhutan and sprawls from north to south on the valley surrounding Raidak River or Wang Chu or Thimphu Chu. Bustling Thimphu is the prime commercial, religious and administrative zone of the country. The co-existence of old world tradition and modern lifestyle makes Thimphu a great location for tourists to take-a-break from their mundane life and enjoy the contemporary Bhutanese lifestyle. A stay here during Bhutan tour is also a different experience than the rest of the Kingdom. Thimphu being the most modern city of Bhutan is lined with many restaurants, nightclubs and shopping centers. Nevertheless, this city still maintains its cultural values. Thimphu reflects the culture of Bhutan in respect to monastic practices of the monasteries, religion, customs, music, literature, national dress code, dance and the media.

Thimphu is dotted with numerous Tourist Attractions including Religious structures, Museums/Galleries, Monuments / Landmarks, Parks and more. Monasteries here are called by their Dzongkha title of Lhakhang or Gompa. A must see is the Changangkha Lhakhang of 15th century, which is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara. The National Memorial Chorten, is also a good place to visit. The stupa here was built in memory of the third king. Zangthoperi Lhakhang of 1960, has impressive murals and art treasures. 51.5mt bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, atop of Kuensel Phodrang hill is a popular tourist attraction. Thimphu also has a number of Museums & Galleries like The National Folk Heritage Museum, The Royal Textile Academy, Alaya Gallery, Chubachu contemporary art gallery, Watter Dragon Gallery and others.

These galleries display art work of modern and traditional artists depicting Bhutanese art, culture, heritage and lifestyle. Thimphu has a number of modern and ancient structures that are flocked by tourists for their architectural excellence. The Trashi Chhoe Dzong and the Simtokha Dzong of 1629 are the most popular ones. Thimphu also has a number of parks and reserves that attract nature lovers 7 wild life enthusiasts. The Takin Preserve at Motithang is a famous one. Takin - the national animal of Bhutan, looks like a cross of a cow and a goat. It is believed that Takin was created by Drupa Kunley, a great Buddhist yogi. The Botanical Garden at Serbithang is situated on lush-green hillside and is a peaceful place to spend a few hours. Coronation Park is also a beautiful place on the bank of a river.

Rooted deep into its culture & heritage, Thimphu is a powerhouse of traditional crafts like wood carving & carpentry artefacts, paintings, sculpture, cast metal work decorative, bamboo carved items, gold & silver work, woven textile, embroidered fabrics, leather work and paper articles. Handicraft lovers have galore to shop. A popular market here, amongst the tourists is the Thimphu Centenary Farmers Weekend Market, which is by far the largest domestic market for the farmers of Bhutan to sell their local produce. Festivals that allure tourists include the 'Mountain Echoes literary festival, Thimphu Drupchen and the Thimphu Tshechu.

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