Samtse Tourist Places to Visit in Samtse, Bhutan, Asia

Samtse Tourist Places to Visit in Samtse, Bhutan, Asia

Situated close to the Indian border, Samtse is a town in Samtse district Bhutan. It is the capital of Samtse district within Samdrup Jongkhar. Samtse is about 187 km from the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. Samtse is 850 feet above sea level. During the year 2012 the total population strength was recorded to be 5,480. The coordinates to Samtse are 2702’ N and 8905’ E.

 

People & Culture of Samtse:  

The local language of Samtse valley is known as Nepali because of the presence of the Nepali community in huge number and the place is also known as Lhotshampa. However the national language, Dzongkha is also spoken in Samtse. The culture of Nepalese and Indian has great influence in the region of Samtse.

 

Food and Shopping at Samtse:

There are hotels in Samtse specialized in catering multi-cuisines in Samtse that tingle the taste buds of their customers. Among the South Indian cuisines available in Samtse, Dosa happens to be the favorite.

 

Tourist Places in Samtse:

  • Wangchulo Dzong

 

Wangchulo Dzong is a fort built in the year 1915, after Dumchog Dzong turned to ruins.

 

  • Lhakhang Karpo and Nagpo

 

Lhakhang Karpo known as the White Temple and Lhakhang Nagpo known as Black Temple were built in the 7th century.

 

  • Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and has an amazing flora and fauna.

Other places of interest in and around Samste are mentioned below:

  • The Valley of the Guardian Spirit
  • Tagchu Gompha
  • Shelkardrag
  • Haa Gompha
  • Juneydrag
  • Katsho Gompha
  • Drana Trashidingkhag
  • Yangto Gompha
  • Jamtoe Gompha

 

Means of Commutation to Samtse:

Roadway:

Tourists can avail inter-district at Thimpu from where buses to  Samtse are available. The travel time from Thimpu to Samtse takes at the least three days by bus. At Mongar and Trashigang there are services buses to Samtse but the journey begins only in the morning.

Railway:

Railway station located at Siliguri in West Bengal within Indian country is the nearest rail link to Samtse. From here tourists or travelers have to head to the Bhutan Border Gate along with passes or visas.

Airway:

Guwahati International Airport at Assam in India is located at a distance of 195 km from Samtse and is the only airport in proximity to Samtse.

 

Accommodation Options at Samtse:

Samtse is an amazing place for vacation in Bhutan. The tranquil surroundings and the fresh air make one feel rejuvenated. Three star hotels in Samtse rent luxurious rooms at a cost of $ 450 to $ 1000. Facilities such as free breakfast, laundry service, swimming pool, amusement parks, etc are provided to tourists by three star hotels in Samtse. Single room for rent at $55 and double room for rent at $75 are offered to tourist at Samtse in economy hotels:

  • Bajay Hotel, Zhemgang
  • Hotel Sonam
  • Dangkhar Traditional Lodge, Zhemgang
  • Chendebji Resort, Trongsa
  • Puenzhi Guest House, Trongsa
  • Tashi Ninjay Guest House, Trongsa
  • Norling Hotel, Trongsa
  • Raven Crown Resort, Trongsa
  • Yangkhil Resort, Trongsa

Places to Visit in Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan, Asia

Places to Visit in Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan, Asia

Regarded as little sister of Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar is a town and the seat of power in Samdrup Jongkhar District in the country of Bhutan.  Located at 280 meters above sea level, Samdrup Jongkhar town is close to the border of the state Assam in the Indian country. Situated at 26055’ N and 91037’ E, Samdrup Jongkhar has a wonderful mix of Indian and Bhutanese culture with clean and pleasant sceneries. Coal mines present in Samdrup Jongkhar greatly contributes to the economy growth of the country. Most of the areas in Samdrup Jongkhar are occupied by Lhotshampas and Sharchops resulting in an estimated population of 7,510 (as per 2012) throughout Samdrup Jangkhar district. Among all the eastern districts in Bhutan, Samdrup Jongkhar happens to the main trading town. Nepali and Sharchopkha are the languages spoken among the locals.

 

Food and Shopping Samdrup Jongkhar:

Most of the eateries in Samdrup Jongkhar cater to Indian cuisine. One such restaurant is Hotel Shambhala catering to a wide range of South India dishes. There are bakery shops selling cakes and pastry items.

 

Tourist Places in Samdrup Jongkhar:

  • Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong

Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong once a fort now houses various administrative offices of the region. It is one of the most modern Dzongs.

  • Dratshang

Dratshang is situated besides the Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong and is a famous monk monastery in Samdrup Jongkhar town.

  • Zangtopelri Lhakhang

Zangdopelri Lhakhang is another Buddhist monastery in Samdrup Jongkhar having architecture difference from the rest of the monasteries in Bhutan. There is also a shop at the starting point of Zangtopelri Lhakhang, selling items used for performing prayers especially by spiritual followers.

  • Deothang

A hill station by the name Deothang situated at a distance of 17.5 km from Samdrup Jongkhar.

  • Bhangtar

Bhangtar located towards the east of Samdrup Jongkhar has broad valleys and sparkling running rivers. This is the one place in Samdrup Jongkhar where families can enjoy their picnic. One can also go for a swim in the river.

  • Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary

Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over the entire Southeastern Samdrup Jongkhar and is regarded as a protected area. Serthi Gewogs, Samrang, Pemathang Langchenphu are the areas falling under the Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary. Many endangered species of animals and varieties of plants are found in this vast sanctuary.

Means of Commutation to Samdrup Jongkhar:

Roadway:

If you plan to reach Samdrup Jongkhar by bus via the northern route you will need to board a bus at Thimpu. From Thimpu, the journey takes minimum three days by bus to reach Samdrup Jongkhar. There are direct bus services available from Mongar and Trashigang every morning. Onward tickets are sold every day at bus stations in Mongar and Trashigang.  From these bus stations there are buses moving taking passengers to every corner and place of Samdrup Jongkhar district.

In the year 2008, Samdurp Jongkhar border was once again opened to travelers wishing to cross the borders. Travelers should possess visas or passes to enter either side.

 

Railway:

The closest railway station to Samdrup Jongkhar is at Siliguri in West Bengal within the Indian country.

 

Airway:

The airport located at Guwahati is at a distance of 185 km from Samdrup Jongkhar is the only airport located in the near vicinity to Samdrup Jongkhar.

 

Accommodation Options at Samdrup Jongkhar:

Having a mix of cross country culture, Samdrup Jongkhar has decent hotels with facilities such as 24 hours check in and out, cable TV, saunas, spas, etc. Rental for rooms in hotels located at Samdrup Jongkhar ranges from $ 475 to $ 1690 depending on single room or double room. Decent hotels with rooms rented $ 50 to $70 is also available at Samdrup Jongkhar and the list is as follows:

  • TLT Hotel (Tashi Longched Trokhang)
  • Peljorling Hotel
  • Mountain Hotel
  • Friends Hotel
  • Hotel Shambhala
  • HIFI Lodge

Places to Visit in Damphu, Bhutan, Asia

Places to Visit in Damphu, Bhutan, Asia

Damphu consisting of gentle slopes and mild climate is a town on the north to south highway passing through Wangdue Phodrang to Sarpang and Gelephu. Damphu town forms the center of administration for the district of Tsirang. Damphu is 152 km away from the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. The coordinates to Damphu are 27001’ N and 90006’ E. As per the census of 2006 the population in Damphu is 1,690.

 

People & Culture of Damphu:

Nepali language is the locally spoken among the Lhotshampa community in Damph.

 

Food and Shopping at Damphu:

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 chillies.

The markets of Damphu 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.

 

Tourist Places in Damphu:

  • Punatsang Chhu (Sankosh River)

This is the only largest river that flows through the country, Bhutan. The place is surrounded by rich natural habitat. One can view plenty of migratory birds flocking at places nearby the river.

 

  • Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

Considered as one of the protected parks of Bhutan, the park spreads over an area of 670 square miles towards the Northern most part of Damphu. Plenty of wild exotic species of birds happen to inhabit Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.

 

Means of Commutation to Damphu:

Airway:

Damphu is 167 km away from Paro International Airport situated in Bhutan. This airport operates domestic as well as international flights to and fro Bhutan and is the closest airport to Damphu.

 

Roadway:

There are roads from Damphu leading to Thimphu city. Inter-district buses are available at bus stations in Thimphu city which facilitate transportation of passengers to Damphu.

 

Accommodation Options at Damphu:

Amidst the lush greenery dense forest hills, one can come across hotels such as three star and four star in Damphu offering various excellent facilities such as laundry service, free breakfast, car on hire, 24 hour check in and out, gym, etc. Rooms in such hotels are priced at $ 160 to $1200 on daily basis. Budget hotels are also available with single rooms rented at $55 and double rooms rented at $ 70 per day.

  • Hotel Dejong
  • Khenrab Inn
  • Hotel Sonam Yangchen
  • Taj Tashi
  • Sinclairs Dooars
  • Sinclairs Retreat Dooars
  • Hotel Hungry Jack
  • Hotel Royal Residency
  • Hotel Golmaheem
  • Ttakshang Residency Hotel & Spa

Bumthang Tourist Places to Visit in Bumthang, Bhutan, Asia

Bumthang Tourist Places to Visit in Bumthang, Bhutan, Asia

Consisting of a numerous sacred sites and ancient temples Bumthang district is situated in the eastern section of Bhutan. The coordinates to Bumthang are 27045 N and 90040’E. Jakar city is the capital of Bumthang district. The place is also known as the Bumthang valley/basin and is at an altitude of 2600 meters. It is has four mountain basins- Choekhor, Churney, Tang and Ura. These four basins are referred to as Bumthang basin. This basin is the religious heartland of Bhutan.

When translated to English the word Bumthang means ‘beautiful field’. The place got the name after work into the making of Jambay Lhakhang was finished.

Bumthang district greatly contributes to the economy of Bhutan. Buckwheat, apples, potato, rice, dairy products, honey and some other produce yielded from this Bumthang district. Temperatures drop to -60 C in winter owing to stormy weather conditions. The most convenient time for vacation in Bumthang is from May month to September end.

 

Tourist Places in Bumthang

There are plenty of places of interest with amazing landscapes in and around Bumthang. Some of the names of these places within Bumthang are listed below

  • Jambay Lhakhang

 

Built by a Tibetan King in the 7th century, this monastery was meant to pacify the bad spirits in the Himalayan region.

 

  • Tamshing Lakhang

 

This temple was created in the year 1501 by the re-incarnated form of Guru Padsambhava, Terton Pema Lingpa. Many old paintings are seen in this temple.

 

  • Jakar Dzong

 

Jakar Dzong when translated means ‘Fortress of the White Bird’. This Dzong was created in the year 1549 by the great grand-father of the earliest Shabdrung. It was then a monastery. Renovation of this monastery took place in 1646.

 

  • Chankhar Lhakhang

 

This castle once belonged to one of the Indian King Sindhu Raja. This castle resembles that of a village house. A saint by the name Dorji Lingpa renovated this castle during the 14th century.

 

  • Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery

 

The monastery was established in the year 1984, by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche who is said to be the reincarnation of a 9th century Tibetan Lama. This is one of the most important monasteries in the entire country of Bhutan.

 

Other places of interest in and around Bumthanq are

  • Kurje Lhakhang
  • Tangbi Goemba
  • Ngang Lhakhang
  • Ura Valley
  • Tang Valley
  • Membartsho (The Burning Lake)
  • Ugyenchholing Palace
  • Tang Rimochen Lhakhang
  • Kunzangdrak Goemba
  • Pelseling Goempa

 

Means of Commutation to Bumthanq

Roadway:

Bumthanq has a direct road leading to Thimphu city. Buses operated by Metro Transport coaster are available at Thimphu city to transport passengers to Bumthang in the morning at 6.30 am everyday. The travel time is eleven hour to either side. No stops are made on the way by the bus.

 

Airport:

Paro International Airport in Paro is the nearest airport to Bumthang and is about 473 km from Jakar city in Bumthang district. Shared taxis and public buses are the only mode of transport available at the airport to Bumthang.

 

Accommodation Options at Bumthang

There are hotels such as three star and four star depicting the architecture of various ancient temples. Many international standard amenities are available at three star and four star hotels in Bumthang. Luxurious in such hotels are charged anywhere from $ 485 to $ 1200 per day. Economy class hotels are rented at $65 to $85 per day respective to single room or double room.

  • Amankora Bumthang
  • Swiss Guest House
  • Jakar Village Lodge
  • Kaila Choenzem Guest House
  • Yu-gharling Resort
  • Wangdicholing Guest House
  • Karma Tobden Mountain Lodge
  • Udee Guest House
  • Chumey Nature Resort
  • Gongkhar Guesthouse
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