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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

Beautiful 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 7^th 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

Tourist 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

Paro Tourist Places to Visit in Paro, Bhutan, Asia

With wide valley and beautiful natural surroundings, Paro is a town in Bhutan located towards the southwest part of the country and capital city of Paro district. The coordinates to Paro are 27⁰26’ N and 89⁰25’ E. The international airport of Bhutan is situated in Paro. Paro completes the ‘golden triangle’ of Bhutan’s famous tourist sightseeing spots along with Punakha and Jakar.

 

Food and Shopping at Paro

Excellent noodle dishes, dumplings, Indian cuisine and Bhutanese dishes are served at hotels in Paro according to customers needs. There are some well known hotels with good service in Paro such as Tshernyoen’s Café, Sonam Trophel Restaurant, hotel Peljorling, hotel First Floor, and Hotel Tandin.

 

Tourist Places in Paro

Paro Dzong

Once a fort, Paro Dzong now houses many administrative offices of the Bhutan Government. This fort was built on the ruins of a 17^th century structure.

Chele La Pass

This Pass is located at a height of 3,988 meters is the highest point in Bhutan having motor roads. One can come across many breath taking views while travelling along this pass.

Kila Goemba

This place is dedicated to the Buddhist nuns. It offers the most amazing picturesque scenes in the region.

 

Ta Dzong

Once served as a fort in the 17^th century, it has now become a museum of Bhutan, housing various ancient artifacts of bygone eras of the country. This fort was built in the year 1967.

 

Kyichu Lhakhang

This shrine is the most respected one in the entire country of Bhutan.  A temple was first built in the 7^th century by a Tibetan King and later in the year 1968, a second temple was built dedicated to H. M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan.

 

Drukgyel Dzong

After defeating the Tibetan intruders, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built this fort in the year 1646. This fort was created to mark his victory against the invaders.

The names of other places of interest in and around Paro are listed below:

• Druk Choeding
• Dungtse Lhakhang
• Ugyen Pelri Palace
• Jangsarbu Lhakhang
• Taktshang Lhakhang
• Rinpung Dzong

 

Means of Commutation to Paro

Airways:

4.5 km away from Paro city is located Bhutan’s international airport, Paro Airport. Flights from various countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Nepal, and India arrive and depart from this airport on a daily basis. Tourists can avail the facilities such as public buses and taxis to travel towards Paro city from where they can board inter-district buses.

 

Roadway:

There are roads from Paro leading to inter-districts and Thimpu. It takes two hours to reach Thimpu by taxi from Paro city which is 65 km away. Paro is 143 km away from Punakha and travel time to reach Punaka is 5 hours.

 

Accommodation Options at Paro

Nestled among nature’s beauty in Paro are cottages, three star and four star hotels with spacious airy rooms. Facilities such as 24 hour check in and out, free breakfast, laundry service, pubs, fitness room, etc are available at three star and four star hotels in Paro. Rooms in such hotels are rented $485 to $1200 on daily basis. If you are looking for economy class hotels in Paro you will find the tariff for single room is $ 60 and $85 for double room. Below are the names of some of the hotels providing good facilities in Paro:

• Pelri Cottages
• Kichu Resort Paro
• Hotel Samdenchholing
• Zhiwa Ling Hotel
• Nak-Sel Boutique Hotel & Spa
• Amankora Paro
• Gangtey Palace Hotel
• Tiger’s Nest Hotel
• Olathang Hotel
• Hotel Jigmeling