Tourist Places to Visit in Punakha, Bhutan, Asia

Tourist Places to Visit in Punakha, Bhutan, Asia

Punakha is a town situated in Bhutan at latitude 27037’ N and longitude 89052’ E. This town forms the center of administration for the district of Punakha dzongkhag. Punakha is 77 km away from Thimpu the capital city of Bhutan. Punakha is 1200 meters above the sea level. At Punakha, the confluence of the two rivers Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu takes place. There are plenty of rice fields located close to these rivers. The weather condition in Punakha is different from that of Thimpu. Summers are hot and winters are warm in Punakha. The pleasant ambience in Punakha and fresh air makes Trekking activity a cherished memory for the tourists.

Apart from rice cultivation, fruits such as oranges, papaya and other vegetables are also grown in Punakha.

 

History of Punakha

Till the year 1955, Punakha remained the capital city of Bhutan. The magnificent Dzong in Punakha is the proof of the past seat of power of the country Bhutan.

 

Food and Shopping Punakha

Traditional food of Punakha is mainly based on rice and vegetables cooked with a lot of spices.

 

Tourist Places in Punakha

There are various excursions conducted in and around Punakha. Some of the places of interest visited in these excursions are listed below

Chimi Lhakhang

This temple was built in the 15th century, to honor the teachings of Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Located on a hill in the middle of the valley, this temple is also referred to as temple of fertility.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

A hike to royal Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, provides an amazing sight of the entire region and the regions beyond.

Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrop Lhakhang Nunnery

This temple is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). The idol towering 14 foot tall, is made up of bronze. The temple also houses other deities worshipped by Buddhist followers of Bhutan. It is also an education center providing religious teachings and other skills such as statue making, painting, embroidery, etc.

Talo

Located at an altitude of 2,800 meters, this village is spread across the hill slopes. This village has plenty of farm houses with beautiful gardens and provides a spectacular view of the amazing surroundings.

Punakha Dzong (Pungthang Dewachen Gi Phodrang)

This fort was constructed in the year 1637, at the confluence of the two rivers, Mo Chhu and Po Chhu. It was created under the reign of the then King Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha Dzong once served as the most important administrative seat in the country, Bhutan.

Other places of interest in and around Punakha are

  • Limbukha
  • Guru Rinpoche Caves(Geon Tsephu)
  • Hot springs (Koma Taschu)
  • Punakha Rishta Village
  • Nalanda Buddhist College

 

Means of Commutation to Punakha

Roadway:

There is a well maintained road from Punakha leading to Thimphu. Travelers can hire taxi or board a bus to travel to Punakha from Thimphu. Shared taxis end their journey at Kuruthang which is nearer to Punakh. The journey by taxi from Thimpu to Punakha will take about 90 minutes. Punakha is 77 km from Thimpu.

 

Airway:

The only airport currently fully functional is the Paro International Airport which is located at a distance of 143 km from Punakha.

 

Accommodation Options at Punakha

There are hotels in Punakha offering luxurious accommodation with amazing view of the surrounding valley. Amenities such as saunas, gym, car parking, free Wi-Fi, etc. are offered at hotels in Punakha at a tariff ranging from $ 475 to $ 1680. Decent hotels with rooms rented at $50 to $70 depending on wether single or double room are available in Punakha. The names of some of hotels in Punakha are listed below:

  • Meri Punesum Resort
  • Hotel Zangto Pelri (Zangto Pelri Guesthouse)
  • Uma by COMO, Punakha
  • Dochula Resort
  • Damchen Resort

Places to Visit in Phuntsholing, Bhutan, Asia

Places to Visit in Phuntsholing, Bhutan, Asia

Situated towards the south of the country, Bhutan, Phuntsholing forms the center of administration for the district of Chukha. Phuntsholing is close to the border of Jaigaon village in Indian country. Phuntsholing is 294 meters above the sea level at latitude 26051’0” N and longitude 89023’0” E. The center of administration of the Bank of Bhutan is located in Phuntsholing. This town forms the most important commercial place in the country of Bhutan and has a population of over 20,600 as per 2006 census.

 

Food and Shopping Phuntsholing  

Restaurants located along the streets of Phuntsholing are specialized in various cuisines such as Mediterrain, Indian, Chinese and Bhutanese cuisine.

 

Tourist Places in Phuntsholing

Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang

 

This is a temple sited in the center of Phuntsholing symbolizes the abode of Guru Rinpoche. The temple has three floors. Each floor has statues and paintings dedicated to Buddhism culture.

 

Kharbandi Goemba

 

This monastery was built in the year 1967, by the then Grand Mother of the Royals, Ashi Phuntsho Choedron. Sited at a height of 400 meters, the monastery provides a beautiful view of the entire town, Phuntsholing.

 

Amo Chuu

 

Mass breeding of crocodile takes place at Amo Chuu which is in the proximity to the river flowing at the rear end of Phuntsholing bus station. This is done in order to increase the population of the crocodiles. Later these crocodiles are released in the wild.

 

Bhutan Gate

 

Bhutan Gate is the gate present at the entrance of the Bhutan territory. Bhutan Gate offers picturesque scenes to the amateur photographers.

 

Means of Commutation to Phuntsholing

Airway:

Paro International Airport at Paro is sited at a distance of 166 km from Phuntsholing city. Bagdogra Airport at Siliguri in West Bengal, India is the closest International airport to Phuntsholing and is 154 km far.

 

Roadway:

There are government run buses such as the Royal Bhutanese Government bus service which take tourists to Bhutan from India and vice versa. Direct service buses are available at Esplanade Bus Station at Kolkata in Indian country, exactly at 7 pm on weekdays such as Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Return journey from Phuentsholing begins at 3 pm at Phuntsholing office especially on Wednesdays and Fridays. It takes 18 to 25 hours to reach either destination.

There are buses also available at Siliguri which travels to Phuentsholing/Jaigaon.  From Phuentsholing, one can opt for a private bus or travel by taxi to the capital city, Thimpu.

 

Rail link:

Hasimara Railway station is closest to Phuntsholing the time taken to travel is hardly 30 minutes by bus. However, there are plenty of bus services available from Jalpaiguri Station in Siliguri and this railway station is the most preferred one by the travelers moving into Bhutan. The time taken to travel from Jalpaiguri station to Phuntsholing is four hours.

 

Accommodation Options at Phuntsholing

Apart from wonderful architecture and pleasant environment Phuntsholing is one of the most important trading centers of Bhutan. To cater with the increasing traveler or tourist influx and their accommodation needs, three star and four star hotels at Phuntsholing offer luxurious rooms with world class amenities such as gym, laundry service, cable TV, air-conditioned rooms etc, for a tariff of $ 485 to $ 1685. Economy hotels in Phuntsholing with neat and tidy rooms are rented to tourists for $55 for single room and $75 for double room.

  • Hotel Druk Phuentsholing
  • Hotel Sinchula
  • Hotel Lhaki Yangchak
  • Central Hotel
  • The Royal Orchid Hotel
  • Namgey Hotel
  • Lhaki Hotel
  • Centennial Hotel 2008
  • Bhutan Residence
  • Drukies Hotel

Jakar Tourist Places to Visit in Jakar, Bhutan, Asia

Jakar Tourist Places to Visit in Jakar, Bhutan, Asia

Jakar is a town sited in the Asian continent situated in the country, Bhutan. This town forms the center of administration for the district of Bumthang. Jakar valley is 2600 meters above the mean sea level. Jakar valley is 254 km away from the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. The latitude and longitude of Jakar are 27001’ N and 90006’ E.

Jakar when translated to English means ‘White Bird’. The location of Jakar Dzong is chosen based on a myth. Local folklores mentions of a roosting white bird pointed out this perfect sacred spot for the Dzong to be constructed and hence it was in the year 1549. The favorable period to spend your vacation at Jakar is from May to September end.

 

People & Culture at Jakar:

The local language of Jakar valley is known as Bumthangkha. This language is related to the national language of its country, Bhutan. This language, Bumthangkha differs a bit in every four regions of the Bumthangkha basin.

 

Food and Shopping at Jakkar:

In winter season shops at Jakkar sell clothes made of colorful woolen fabrics, jackets and other such items which provide the necessary heat for a human to remain warm. In summer season the warm clothes are replaced by beautiful light cotton clothing with prints or embroideries or other piece of art work attached to it.

 

Tourist Places in Jakkar:

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

 

Tamshing Lakhang 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 was built 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

 

Chankhar Lhakhang 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

 

Lhodrak Kharchhu 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 Jakar are:

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

Participating in activities such as biking and trekking at Jakkar can make one’s a thrilling and memorable one.

 

Means of Commutation to Jakkar:

Roadway

A road traversing from north to south leads Jakkar, to Lateral Road by which is connected to the major highway of Bhutan.

 

Airway:

Bathpalathang Airport is a domestic airport situated few kilometers away from Jakkar. Paro Airport operates international as well as domestic flights is sited 473 km away from Jakkar city.

 

Accommodation Options at Jakkar:

Jakkar city has lots to offer to tourists other than its amazing picturesque sceneries. Hotels in Jakkar are categorized into three star and four star have luxurious rooms with air conditioners as well as room heaters. Amenities such as swimming pool, gym, golf ground, children play rooms, etc are available in such three star and four star hotels. Rent for a room in such hotels ranges from $550 to $1300. Economy class hotels at Jakkar have nice decent and clean rooms with attached bathrooms and cable TV with tariffs starting from $55 for single room and $70 for double room per day and the list of hotels is as follows:

  • 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

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Geylegphug, Bhutan, Asia

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Geylegphug, Bhutan, Asia

Geylegphug is also known as Gelephu is located in Sarpang district in Bhutan. This town forms the center administration for the district of Sarpang. Geylegphug is 8500 feet above the sea level. Geylegphug is located at the south end of the country, Bhutan and is close to the border of the Indian country. Geylegphug is 216 km away from the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. The coordinates of Geylegphug are 26052’14” N and 90029’8” E. Land spanning over a total area of 121.22 Acres has been restricted to be used for Industrial purpose only. Ever since then a lot of developments such as small cottage industries, retail centers, warehouse, automobile showrooms are seen opening up in the allotted area.

 

People & Culture of Geylegphug:

Nepali language and culture has dominated Geylegphug. The Lhotshampa community in Geylegphug speaks Indo-European language. There is some East Bodish Kheng language speaking community in the northeastern part of Geylegphug.

 

Food and Shopping Geylegphug:

There are many eatery joints, café joints and hotels besides the street of Geylegphug serving varieties of tasty dishes of Indian as well as local delights to tourists.

Depending on seasonal changes shops located in Geylegphug sell exquisite fabrics such as colorful shawls, coats and sweaters during winter and in summer clothes with amazing touch made from frabic such as cotton are sold in shops. Jewelry stores with brilliant sparkling gems crafted skillfully and embedded in gold are also seen in Geylegphug.

 

Tourist Places in Geylegphug:

Rishyap

Rishyap place provides a panoramic view of the entire Himalayan range.

Tiffin Dara

Tiffin Dara point offers a view of the popular Himalayan snow clad peaks such as Kanchenjunga, Kabru, Singalia, and other peaks.

Neora Valley National Park

Trekking in this National Park is organized by some tourism agencies. One can reach the famous Twin Lake located at Jorepokhri by foot.

Kolakham

Kolakham is located 20 km from Rishyap and lies within the territory of Neora Valley National Park and is close to Changey Falls.

 

Means of Commutation to Geylegphug:

Airway

Gelephu Airport is operational from 25th October 2012 and since then it is the second busiest domestic airport in Bhutan.

Roadway

The main bus stand in Geylegphug is 1 km from the border of India-Bhutan Border gate close to Bank of Bhutan. There are regular bus services from Geylegphug to various other places within Bhutan such as Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, Thimphu, etc.

Tourists can also avail taxi facilities at the nearest post office in Geylegphug.

 

Accommodation Options at Geylegphug:

Since Geylegphug is located close to the Bhutan Border gate, trade between the two countries is established in Geylegphug. Hence to cater to the accommodation needs of the vary travelers or tourists at Geylegphug, three star hotels rent room at $465 to $1000 per day. Various outstanding facilities are offered to the tourists in such hotels. Hotels with single rooms rented at $45 and double room rented at $60 are also available to tourist at Geylegphug. Names of hotels in Geylegphug are listed below:

  • Hotel Tshenden
  • Hotel Tropical
  • Hotel Chorten
  • Hotel KUKU
  • Hotel Ashoka
  • Hotel Prasad
  • Hotel Laxhmi
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