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Places to Visit in Trashigang, Bhutan, Asia

Trashigang is a town located on the Asian continent in the country of Bhutan is the biggest town towards the eastern region of Bhutan. This town forms the center of administration for the district of Trashigang. Trashigang is located at the east end of the country. Trashigang is 1100 meters above sea level. The coordinates of Trashigang are 27⁰20’ N and 91⁰34’ E. Trashigang district is located close to the river Gamri Chhu. This district was once the busiest trade link with Tibet.

People & Culture Trashigang:

Trashigang is dominated by Sharchops and Ngalops. The word Sharchops according to the national language of Bhutan means ‘easterner’. Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan and is widely spoken among the inhabitants. The Sharchops belong to the community of Tibetan and Indian settlers while Ngalops who occupy the west and central of Bhutan are basically Tibetans.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in this region.

Food and Shopping Trashigang:

Tasty delicious cuisines are cooked for travelers at hotels located on the main streets which comprise mainly of Chinese and Indian cuisine.

The markets of Trashigang have plenty of wonderfully crafted artifacts to offer to buyers. Some of these are the colorful shawls, coats, and sweaters. There are shops selling handcrafted exquisite gold and silver ornaments.

Tourist Places in Trashigang:

• Trashigang Dzong

Trashigang Dzong is a fort constructed in the year 1659 is now used as the administrative headquarters of Trashigang town. This fort provides a spectacular view of the entire region.

• Gom Kora

This temple sits on a fertile highland. The temple is surrounded by plenty of rice fields. This also was one of the places were Guru Rinpoche meditated.

• Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary spans over one third of the eastern regions of Trashigang District. Merag, Gewogs and Sakteng are the places that make Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary and all these places are part of protected area. The Bhutanese believe that migoi, a type of yeti, rests among the dense greenery mountains of the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Rangjung

Founded by Dungse Garab Dorje Rinpoche in the year 1989, Rangjung Osel Choling Monastery is towards the east of Tashigang town at a distance of 17 km.

Means of Commutation to Trashigang:

Roadway:

There are two routes from Thimpu and the journey to Trashigang takes two day from either route.

Direct bus services are available on the northern route from Thimpu to Jakar and then to Trashigang via Mongar. Buses stop for the night at Jakar and in the morning proceeds to Tashigang.

Another route is the southern route. On this route traveler has to board a bus at Thimpu to Phuentsholing and later hire a taxi to Samdurg Jongkhar since there are other means of transportation on this route. At Samdurg Jongkhar, travelers can avail direct bus services to Trashigang.

Airway:

Yongphulla Airport at Trashigang district is a domestic airport and one among the four airports in Bhutan. Yongphulla Airport operates flights to and fro places like Paro and Jakar. The frequency of flights from Yongphulla Airport in or out is quite less hence it would be wise to go through the airlines, such as Tashi Air and Drukair, schedule for recent updates.

Accommodation Options at Trashigang:

Surrounded by hills covered by lush greenery and pure clean air, and magnificent tourist attraction spots, Trashigang is indeed a must visit place. Hotels are available at Trashigang with facilities such as cable TV, attached bathroom with Jacuzzi tubs, pick n drop facilities, etc. Such hotels rent rooms at a cost of $ 475 to $1000 per day. Tourists can also find clean and spacious hotels at Trashigang renting rooms per day anywhere from $ 50 to $ 65 and the list of hotels is as follows:

• Deothjung Hotel
• Lingkhar Lodge
• Hotel Seldon
• Kelling Motel

Tourist Places to Visit in Thimphu, Bhutan, Asia

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and the seat of administrative power of the country. Thimphu is situated 2,320 meters above sea level and offers one of the world’s best panoramic views from various hilltops. The coordinates to Thimphu are 27⁰28’00” N and 89⁰38’30” E. Winter seasons are very chilly but dry with a low temperature of -1⁰ C while in summer the maximum recorded is 25⁰ C. the most favorable time for enjoying vacation in Thimphu is from September till October end and from March to May.

Tourist Places in Thimphu

• Memorial Chorten

Constructed in the year 1974, this memorial is dedicated to the 3^rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. He is looked upon as the Father of the present Bhutan.

• Simtokha Dzong

This fort was constructed during the reign of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the year 1627. It is now an education center where culture and language teachings are imparted.

• National Library

This library has a huge collection of books relating to the history of the country, Bhutan. Apart from these there are plenty of ancient scripts. There are books relating to modern studies.

• Trashichhoedzong

This fort was constructed in the year 1641. It was renovated in the year 1965, under the reign of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. This fort houses the throne of the Royal King of Bhutan. This fort is also termed as “Fortress of the glorious religion”.

There are few other places of interest apart from the ones mentioned above. The names of these places are mentioned below:

• Institute for Zorig Chusum
• Traditional Medicine Institute
• The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim)
• National Textile Museum
• Handicraft Shops
• Weekend Market
• Changangkha Lhakhang
• Craft Bazaar
• Junghi Handmade Paper Factory
• Zangthopelri Lhakhang
• Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang)

There are also excursions organized in and around the Thimphu valley. The names of these amazing sites are mentioned below

• Tango Goemba
• Cheri Goemba
• Phajoding Goemba
• Lungchuzekha Goemba
• Takin Preserve, Motithang
• Botanical Gardens, Serbithang
• Coronation Park
• Tandin Nye

Means of Commutation to Thimphu

Roadways

There are regular bus services to and from the city bus station to various districts in Bhutan. The journey from Phuentsholing, a town on the border within Bhutan territory, to Thimphu will take approximately seven hours by bus or taxis. Dhug, Meto and Semya are some of the private services operate buses from Thimphu to Phuentsholing and vice versa.

City taxis are available at Norzin Lam and inter-district bus stations. Public buses are available at the eastern end of Chang Lam stadium.

Airway

Currently only Paro International Airport operates flights in and out of the country, Bhutan. The airport is 45 km from Thimphu and the travel time takes about one hour. Another international airport at the southern end of Gelephu district is yet to be functional.

Accommodation Options at Thimphu

Among the gorges valleys and hills amazing landscapes are present some of the finest and elegant world class three star and four star hotels at Thimphu. Various amenities such as sauna, spa, flat TV with cable connection, 24 hour check in and out, etc are available in three star and four star hotels at Thimphu for rent varying from $ 480 to $ 1,680. There are also economy hotels with decent clean rooms at Thimphu renting rooms at $ 55 for single room and $ 70 for double room per day.

• Khamsum Inn
• Amankora Thimphu
• Taj Tashi Hotel
• Peaceful Resort
• Druk Hotel Thimphu
• Yeedzin Guest House
• Hotel Tandin
• Motithang Hotel
• Hotel Kisa
• Jumolhari Hotel
• Hotel Riverview

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Tashigang, Bhutan, Asia

Tashigang is a town sited on the Asian continent situated in the country of Bhutan. This town forms the center of administration for the district of Tashigang. Tashigang is located towards the east end of the country. Tashigang is 1100 meters above the sea level. The geographical coordinates puts the place at 27⁰20’ N and 91⁰34’ E. Tashigang district is located close to the river Gamri Chhu. This district was once the busiest trade link with Tibet.

People & Culture Tashigang:

The main language of the people of Tashigang is Dzongkha. Apart from this language there are people who speak Sharchophka, English and Ihotsamkha. The culture of Tibetan and Indian has great influence in the region of Tashigang. Archery is the national sport of Tashigang. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in this region.

Food and Shopping Tashigang:

The staple food of the region is Rice. Both, vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies are available in this country. Every dish is prepared with a lot of spicy red hot chilies.

The markets of Tashigang have plenty of wonderfully crafted artifacts to offer to buyers. Some of these are the colorful shawls, coats, and sweaters. The rugs made in Bhutan are famous worldwide. There are shops selling handcrafted exquisite gold and silver ornaments. However selling or purchasing of age old artifacts in Bhutan is considered illegal.

Tourist Places in Tashigang:

Trashigang Dzong

This fort was constructed in the year 1659. It now houses various administrative offices. This fort provides a spectacular view of the entire region.

Gom Kora

This temple sits on a fertile highland surrounded by plenty of rice fields. This also was one of the places were Guru Rinpoche meditated.

Means of Commutation to Trashigang:

Paro International Airport connects Bhutan to the rest of the world. Travelling via road from this airport to Tashigang will take 3 days. One can board a domestic flight from this airport to Yonphula airport located in Tashigang. The airport is located at a distance of 55 km from Thimphu. Daily flights are available from countries like Nepal, Thailand, India and Singapore. Hence a tourist needs to carry two visas prior to departure. One can easily avail a visa to Bhutan from countries like Thailand and Nepal, whereas it takes two weeks to obtain a visa to Bhutan from India. For an Indian visiting Bhutan there is no necessity for a visa, a passport will suffice.

Bhutan is connected to the Indian country via road. There are three entry points to Bhutan via India namely the Gelephu at the center, Phuntsholing at the western end and Samdrup Jongkhar at the eastern end. There is no entry from the China border to Bhutan. There are government run buses such as the Royal Bhutanese Government bus which facilitates transportation service for tourists to Phuentsholing from Kolkata’s Esplanade bus station, located in West Bengal state of Indian country. There are buses available at Siliguri which travels to Phuentsholing/Jaigaon.  There are local bus available daily from Thimphu,Samdrup Jongkhar, and Radhi. The distance of Tashigang from various places in Bhutan is mentioned below:

• Bumthang is located at a distance of 281 km
• Trongsa is located at a distance of 349 km
• Thimphu is located at a distance of 551 km

Bhutan government has plans in establishing a rail network with its neighboring country, India. New Jalpaiguri railway station located in Siliguri is another location in West Bengal, India, which is most preferred among the tourists travelling by land to Bhutan. Prior booking should be made to Siliguri since the place is popular among the locals.

Accommodation Options at Tashigang:

There are few hotels in and around Tashigang. The names of these hotels are listed below:

• Deothjung Hotel
• Lingkhar Lodge
• Hotel Seldon
• Kelling Motel