Punakha is the district headquarters of Punakha Dzongkhag in Bhutan. It is situated about 70 kms from national capital Thimphu. Until 1955, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan.

Punakha has an agriculture based economy and rice is the highly grown crop in Punakha. Pho Chu and Mo Chu are the prime rivers of Punakha passes through Punakha.

Pungthang Dewachen Gi Phodrang:

Pungthang Dewachen Gi Phodrang is one of the must visit places in Punakha, built in the year 1637 by Tuebi Zaow Balip to fulfill the order of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is said that this beautiful fortress was built within two years of time. It serves as a winter house of Central Monastic Body.

Punakha Dzong encloses the main sacred historical objects of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu School ‘Rangjung Kasarpani’ and holy relics of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa. It served as the seat of the coronation of the first King of Bhutan ‘Ugyen Wangchuck’ in 1907.

Geography and Climate of Punakha:

Punakha is situated between latitude 27°37′ in the north and longitude 89°52′ in the east. It has an average altitude of 1,200 meters. Punakha District is surrounded by Thimphu, Wangdue Phodrang and Gasa District. Punakha enjoys warm weather in winter and hot in summer.

Connectivity to Punakha:

Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan and the nearest airport to Punakha with air services to Delhi, Kolkata, Dhaka, Gaya, Guwahati, Mumbai, Singapore, Bangkok and Katmandu.

Tourists can board Bhutan Transport Corporation buses to reach Paro, Thimphu, Jakar and Phuntsholing at any of the local bus terminals.

There are share taxis accessible at Kuruthang to reach Thimphu and Paro and costs around 150 nu for 2 hour journey. Also taxis are good options to reach airport and tourist spots.

Food and Shopping in Punakha:

Punakha houses few shopping centres and well facilitated restaurants, so visitors can reach Paro or Thimphu city for best shopping experience and hospitality.

Things to do in Punakha:

Tourists can enjoy the trekking experience anywhere and everywhere at Punakha.

Tourist Attractions in Punakha:

Pungthang Dewachen Gi Phodrang:

Pungthang Dewachen Gi Phodrang is an ancient beautiful palace, constructed by Tuebi Zaow Balip to fulfill the order of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the year 1637. It has a greater collection of holy historical objects of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu School ‘Rangjung Kasarpani’ and sacred remnants of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa. The literal meaning of Pungthang Dewachen Gi Phodrang is Palace of Great Happiness.

Jigme Dorji National Park:

Jigme Dorji National Park is the 2^nd largest national park in Bhutan. It named in the memorial of Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and covers an area of Gasa District, Paro District, Punakha District, Wangdue Phodrang Districts and Thimphu District.

Jigme Dorji National Park was established in the year 1974 which covers an area of 4316 km². More than 6,500 species live in this park. The park houses several cultural sites include Mount Jomolhari, Mount Jitchu Drake, Lingshi Dzong and Gasa Dzong.

The park is home to more than 37 varieties of mammals includes snow leopard, Himalayan black bear clouded leopard, bharal or Himalayan blue sheep, Bengal tiger, black musk deer and red panda. It is also home to takin, the national animal of Bhutan, blue poppy flower, cypress tree and raven bird.

Changangkha Temple:-

Changangkha Temple is a prominent temple and a general school located on the boundary of Thimphu. It houses 11-headed Chenresig statue and well known for good view point.

Ritsha Village:

Ritsha Village is one of the best rice growing villages in western Bhutan near Punakha. It is also home to several archeological sites.

The list of other tourist attractions in Punakha:

• National Folk Heritage Museum
• Simtokha Dzong
• Royal Academy of Performing Arts
• National Library
• National Memorial Chorten
• Zangto Pelri Lhakhang
• National Textile Museum
• Kuensel Phodrang
• Motithang Takin Preserve
• Changangkha Lhakhang

Ideal time to visit Punakha:-

The best months to visit Punakha will be between February, March and December.

Accommodation Options in Punakha:-

Punakha is home to many budget, mid range and few luxury hotels with cable TV, hot water and Bhutan traditional food. It is recommended for tourists to book the hotels of Thimphu or Paro city for better accommodation. The major hotels in Punakha, Thimphu and Paro are:

• Meri Puensum Punakha
• Zangto Pelr
• Aman Hotel
• Hotel Migmar
• River View Hotel
• Uma Paro
• Namgay Heritage Hotel
• Meri Puensum Resort
• Hotel Druk
• Hotel Ghasel
• Taj Tashi
• Yeedzin Guest House
• Jumolhari Hotel
• Hotel Taktsang
• Kelwang Hotel

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Phuntsholing is the administrative headquarters of Chukha District and the second largest city in Bhutan on the Bhutan-India border. It is located about 15 kms from Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Phuntsholing houses the headquarters of Bank of Bhutan.

Geography of Phuntsholing:

Phuntsholing covers an area of Sampheling Gewog and Phuentsholing Gewog and is located opposite of Jaigaon, the town in West Bengal, India.

Phuntsholing is positioned in 28°18′ N latitude and 74°58′ E longitude and positioned at an altitude of 293 meters.

Connectivity to Phuntsholing:

Phuntsholing is served by the only international airport of Bhutan ‘Paro Airport, located about 140 kms away. This airport is connected with Kathmandu, Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Dhaka, Gaya, Guwahati, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakar and Trashigang served by Buddha Air, Druk Air and Tashi Air.

Phuntsholing has good connectivity with all the major cities of Bhutan including Paro and Thimphu and the bordering regions of India through roadway.

Phuentsholing Bus Station is the most important bus station for Phuntsholing and its neighboring regions.

The railway station at Hasimara is the closest railway station to Phuntsholing. Tourists can hire cars from Kings Travels to travel within the city.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Phuntsholing:

Phuntsholing is one of the developed cities compared to other regions of Bhutan, houses the higher majority of Buddhists and minority of Hindu citizens. Dzongkha Language is the official language and a generally spoken language in Phuntsholing and some natives speak Bengali and other Indian languages.

Phuntsholing is home to different Indian and Bhutan food corners and almost all the shops accept Indian currency. Pastry Shop is a bakery serve customers with variety of cakes and pastries placed in the Tashi Commercial Complex.

Hotel Galing is a prime hotel in Phuntsholing offers diverse Indian vegetarian cuisine with top taste at affordable price.

Phuntsholing houses many supermarkets, electrical showrooms, a fresh vegetable market and computer shops.

Places to see in Phuntsholing:-

Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang:

Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang is a temple represents the paradise of Guru Rinpoche located in the centre of Phuntsholing city. The floors of temple contain the pictures and statues of saints and gods. The ground floor includes the figurines of eight appearances of Guru Rinpoche and Buddha’s life history paintings. Eight Bodhisattavas and figurines of Avalokiteshvara and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal found in first floor of temple and main statue of Amitabha is in top floor.

Karbandi Monastery:

Karbandi Monastery is very famous monastery near Phuntsholing. It is visited by most numbers of ladies who don’t have children, after Indian women got child after praying at this monastery to conceive. Karbandi Monastery is located few kilometers away from Phuntsholing town.

Bhutan Gate:

Bhutan Gate separates Bhutan from India. Tourists can take the photo of this gate.

Amo Chuu:

Amo Chuu is a Crocodile Breeding Centre at the back of the bus station of Phuntsholing on the river bank.

Gumba:

Gumba is the popular temple of Lord Buddha located in the vicinity of royal family residence.

Simtokha Dzong:-

Simtokha Dzong is monastery built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627. It includes a language and cultural study centre located in Thimphu.

National Folk Heritage Museum:-

National Folk Heritage Museum is one of the prime museum in Bhutan located in the vicinity of National Library in Thimphu. It displays the culture and tradition of Bhutan.

The list of other tourist attractions in Phuntsholing:-

• Chukha Hydrothermal Project
• Changangkha Temple
• Motithang Takin Preserve
• Changangkha Lhakhang
• Royal Academy of Performing Arts
• National Library, Thimphu

Best time to visit Phuntsholing:-

The months of March, April, May, August and September is the ideal time to visit Phuntsholing.

Accommodation Options near Phuntsholing:-

The budget hotels of Phuntsholing generally charge single deluxe room for 450Nu, Single without TV for 325Nu, Deluxe double for 650Nu and Standard double for 550 Nu. The facilities available in the budget hotels of Phuntsholing include hot water, TV and variety of Bhutanese and Indian dishes.

The luxury hotels offer the facilities of TV, hot water, A/C, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar, garden area, tennis court, gym centre, doctor on call, air ticket booking, internet connectivity, 24 hour electricity and the foods from Bhutan, India, China, Thailand and Western countries. The hotels generally charge 2,000 Nu & 2,500 Nu for deluxe rooms and 1,100 Nu & 1,300 Nu for standard rooms.

The best budget and luxury hotels in Phuntsholing are as follows:

Budget Hotels in Phuntsholing:

• Hotel Peljorling
• Hotel Kuenga
• Central Hotel
• Hotel Bhutan

Luxury Hotels in Phuntsholing:

• Midpoint Hotel
• Hotel Druk-Bhutan
• Lhaki Hotel
• Hotel Bhutan Residence
• Hotel Namgay
• Hotel Druk
• Hotel Sinchula
• The orchid hotel

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