Paro (2250m a.s.l.)
Paro valley extends from the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom upto Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North. This picturesque region is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Accentuating the natural beauty are the many elegant, traditional-style houses that dot the valley and surrounding hills. Paro town has been growing rapidly in recent years and there are plenty of restaurants, bakeries and cafes to choose from. One of the distinctive features of Paro town is that it is situated in a flat valley bottom and follows a grid-like pattern. The central plaza is adorned with a large prayer wheel and a small amphitheater at which events such as concerts are often organized. Visitors often spend several days in Paro as there are over 155 temples and monasteries in this area, some dating as far back as 14th century. The country’s first international airport is located in Paro. Source: www.tourism.gov.bt
Paro valley extends from the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom upto Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North. This picturesque region is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Accentuating the natural beauty are the many elegant, traditional-style houses that dot the valley and surrounding hills. Paro town has been growing rapidly in recent years and there are plenty of restaurants, bakeries and cafes to choose from. One of the distinctive features of Paro town is that it is situated in a flat valley bottom and follows a grid-like pattern. The central plaza is adorned with a large prayer wheel and a small amphitheater at which events such as concerts are often organized. Visitors often spend several days in Paro as there are over 155 temples and monasteries in this area, some dating as far back as 14th century. The country’s first international airport is located in Paro. Source: www.tourism.gov.bt
Paro Dzong or Rinchen Pung Dzong or Rinpung Dzong Fortress
Unesco World Heritage
Rinchen Pung Dzong means ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’. In 1644 Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal ordered the construction of the dzong on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. The fort was used on numerous occasions to defend the Paro valley from invasions by Tibet. It was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly and now, like most dzongs, houses both the monastic body and district government offices, including the local courts. The dzong is built on a steep hillside, and the front courtyard of the administrative section is 6m higher than the courtyard of the monastic portion. The road to the National Museum branches down to the dzong’s northeastern entrance, which leads into the dochey (courtyard) on the 3rd storey. The utse (central tower) inside the dochey is five storeys tall and was built in the time of the first penlop (governor) of Paro in 1649. To the east of the utse is a small lhakhang dedicated to Chuchizhey, an 11-headed manifestation of Chenresig. The richly carved wood, painted in gold, black and ochres, and the towering whitewashed walls reinforce the sense of established power and wealth. A stairway leads down to the monastic quarter, which houses about 200 monks. Below the dzong, a traditional wooden covered bridge called Nyamai Zam spans the Paro Chhu. Scenes from Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1995 film Little Buddha were filmed here. Source: http://happyul.com
Unesco World Heritage
Rinchen Pung Dzong means ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’. In 1644 Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal ordered the construction of the dzong on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. The fort was used on numerous occasions to defend the Paro valley from invasions by Tibet. It was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly and now, like most dzongs, houses both the monastic body and district government offices, including the local courts. The dzong is built on a steep hillside, and the front courtyard of the administrative section is 6m higher than the courtyard of the monastic portion. The road to the National Museum branches down to the dzong’s northeastern entrance, which leads into the dochey (courtyard) on the 3rd storey. The utse (central tower) inside the dochey is five storeys tall and was built in the time of the first penlop (governor) of Paro in 1649. To the east of the utse is a small lhakhang dedicated to Chuchizhey, an 11-headed manifestation of Chenresig. The richly carved wood, painted in gold, black and ochres, and the towering whitewashed walls reinforce the sense of established power and wealth. A stairway leads down to the monastic quarter, which houses about 200 monks. Below the dzong, a traditional wooden covered bridge called Nyamai Zam spans the Paro Chhu. Scenes from Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1995 film Little Buddha were filmed here. Source: http://happyul.com
Paro Ta-Dzong National Museum
Ta-Dzong, the first National Museum located above the Rinpung Dzong, on top of a hill, attracts a good number of tourists as well as locals. It is defined as a “must-visit” by most who have visited it. This is the best place to learn about the Bhutanese culture. Five hundred feet away from Rinpung Dzong, it was actually built as a watch tower for the latter in 1651 during the Tibetan invasions. It was turned into a museum in 1967. Source: www.littlebhutan.com
Ta-Dzong, the first National Museum located above the Rinpung Dzong, on top of a hill, attracts a good number of tourists as well as locals. It is defined as a “must-visit” by most who have visited it. This is the best place to learn about the Bhutanese culture. Five hundred feet away from Rinpung Dzong, it was actually built as a watch tower for the latter in 1651 during the Tibetan invasions. It was turned into a museum in 1967. Source: www.littlebhutan.com
Taktsang - Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Towards the north of Paro town, clinging from a cliff 3,000 feet high, stands Taktsang – the most famous monastery in Bhutan. Taktsang literally means “Tiger’s nest.” Legend has it that in the early eighth century Guru Padma Sambhava flew from Tibet on a back of a tigress to the place where the monastery stands today. He then meditated there for three months in a cave. Guru Padma Sambhava is known for introducing Buddhism in Bhutan. The monastery was constructed in 1684 by Paro Penlop, Desi Tenzin Rabgye. The monastery has seven temples clustered around the cave where Guru meditated. It is three hours hike uphill from the road point. The trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest. The view of Paro valley from Taktsang is breathtaking. It is also considered a holy and sacred place. Pilgrims from all over Bhutan and tourists come and visit the monastery. This is one place tourists to Bhutan make a point to visit. A trip to Bhutan is incomplete without visiting Taktsang. Source: www.littlebhutan.com
Towards the north of Paro town, clinging from a cliff 3,000 feet high, stands Taktsang – the most famous monastery in Bhutan. Taktsang literally means “Tiger’s nest.” Legend has it that in the early eighth century Guru Padma Sambhava flew from Tibet on a back of a tigress to the place where the monastery stands today. He then meditated there for three months in a cave. Guru Padma Sambhava is known for introducing Buddhism in Bhutan. The monastery was constructed in 1684 by Paro Penlop, Desi Tenzin Rabgye. The monastery has seven temples clustered around the cave where Guru meditated. It is three hours hike uphill from the road point. The trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest. The view of Paro valley from Taktsang is breathtaking. It is also considered a holy and sacred place. Pilgrims from all over Bhutan and tourists come and visit the monastery. This is one place tourists to Bhutan make a point to visit. A trip to Bhutan is incomplete without visiting Taktsang. Source: www.littlebhutan.com
Drugyel Dzong Fortress
Unesco World Heritage
The dzong was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the route to Tibet. It is said that the dzong had a false entrance which was deliberately designed to lure invaders into an enclosed courtyard. Drugyel dzong meaning ‘victorious fortress’ was named to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. The dzong is today in ruins due to a fire which occurred in 1951. This is the place from where Bhutanese confronted and drove off several Tibetan armies during the 17th century. On a clear day Mount Jhomolhari can be seen from the dzong. Source: www.littlebhutan.com
Unesco World Heritage
The dzong was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the route to Tibet. It is said that the dzong had a false entrance which was deliberately designed to lure invaders into an enclosed courtyard. Drugyel dzong meaning ‘victorious fortress’ was named to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. The dzong is today in ruins due to a fire which occurred in 1951. This is the place from where Bhutanese confronted and drove off several Tibetan armies during the 17th century. On a clear day Mount Jhomolhari can be seen from the dzong. Source: www.littlebhutan.com