Tourist Places to Visit in Thimphu, Bhutan

Tourist Places to Visit in Thimphu, Bhutan

Thimphu also known as Thimpu is the capital and biggest city of Bhutan. It is placed on the western part of Bhutan and in 1961 Thimphu was declared the capital of Bhutan. Thimphu is located between 27°28′00″ N latitude and 89°38′30″ E longitude. Thimphu is positioned at a height of 7,656 feet from the mean level of sea.

Thimphu is the economical pillar of the country houses major government offices, several medium and large scale industries and educational institutions. National Referral Hospital and Institute of Traditional Medicine are the main health centres as well as the landmarks of the Thimphu city.

History of Thimphu:

Thimphu has strong historical background and witnessed the rule of Bhutan kings. Thimphu was formed as a national capital in the year 1961.

Culture of Thimphu:

Tsechu festival is one of the major festivals organized in Thimphu. It is a 4 day festival arranged during September or October and the popular mask dances ‘Cham dances’ are performed on the stage of the Tashichhoe Dzong. The Royal Academy of performing arts is the major art educational centre of Thimphu.

Thimphu has a greater population of Buddhists along with lower percentage of Hindus. Thimphu’s Paintings, masks, brassware, antique jewellery and painted lama tables are very famous all around the country.

Connectivity to Thimphu:

Thimphu has a wide and well maintained road network. Bhutan Transport Corporation provides bus services to all the main regions of the country and bordering regions of India from Thimphu Bus Stand. The nearest airport to Thimphu is the country’s only international airport Paro Airport located about 44 kms away. From Paro Airport, the air facility is available to India and other nearby countries. Also there are plenty of taxis available to reach airport from Thimphu city centre.

Tourist places in Thimphu:

Changangkha Temple:

Changangkha Temple is a famous temple and a general school situated at the border of Thimphu. It houses 11-headed Chenresig statue and is also a good view point to watch entire Thimphu City.

Simtokha Dzong:

Simtokha Dzong is monastery constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the year 1627. It houses a language and cultural study centre and the figurines beside the prayer wheel in the corridor is the prime attractions of the monastery.

National Folk Heritage Museum:

National Folk Heritage Museum is the cultural centre situated in the vicinity of National Library. It showcases the culture and tradition of Bhutan. Also several cultural events held in this museum.

The museum is open from Monday to Friday between 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Saturday open from 10:30 am to 1 pm and Sunday open from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. The entrance fee is Rs. 150 per head.

The list of other tourist places in Thimphu is: