Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, located in the western part of the country. The city presents a beautiful combination of ancient Buddhist elements and modern structures; it shows a city trying to keep up with contemporary changes while tightly clutching on to its rich culture and traditions.
The capital is set in a long valley amidst hills and lush forests. Along with Tibetan and Buddhist architecture, you will find plenty of bustling markets, restaurants, hotels and gardens. Shopaholic or not, a walk around Thimpu’s Weekend Market is highly recommended. Here you will find everything from beautiful Bhutanese handicrafts to fresh produce. You can also make a visit to Bhutan’s national animal, the takin at the Motithang Takin Preserve.
The National Memorial Chorten is a beautiful structure in white and gold, and is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu. It was built in honour of the founder of modern Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and there are several artworks inside that represent his life. The Chorten houses numerous massive statues of Buddhist deities, mandalas, wooden carvings and paintings.
One of the oldest and largest temples in Bhutan, the fortress-like Changangkha Lhakhang is situated overlooking central Thimpu. This 12th-century temple is a stunning example of Buddhist architecture and sees thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year.
The temple complex contains huge statues of the Buddha and other deities, prayer wheels, small shrines and butter lamps, with a soothing ambience of incense sticks. The chief deity of the temple, Tamdrin, is the protector of young children and parents usually come here to obtain blessings and auspicious names for their children.
This is one of the modern temples in Bhutan, built in the early 20th-century by Dasho Aku Tongmi, who was also the composer for Bhutan’s national anthem.
The temple is a representation of the celestial abode of Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The temple contains statues and paintings of Guru Rinpoche’s eight manifestations and the walls are covered with murals illustrating Buddha’s life.
The giant statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sits majestically on a hill overlooking the southern entrance to the Thimphu Valley. This 51-metre tall mammoth statue made of gold and bronze is an extraordinary structure but wait, the best part is yet to come. The statue contains over 125,000 similar gold and bronze Buddha statues inside its body! Incredible, right!
The base for the statue serves as a prayer and meditation hall which again contains thousands of Buddha statues donated by devotees. The interior is remarkable with typical Buddhist designs and mandalas.
The Dzong was first constructed in the 12th century and currently serves as the seat for Bhutan’s government. Over the years, the Dzong was destroyed multiple times by fires and an earthquake as well, and saw several renovations.
The complex contains the King’s throne room, official buildings and residences, small temples and shrines, prayer wheels, interesting wall art and statues of Buddhist deities. In fact there are around 30 temples and shrines inside! The huge proportions of the buildings and the calm atmosphere make up a uniquely remarkable experience. For a panoramic view of the dzong, drive or walk up to the Trashi Chhoe Viewpoint.
Simtokha Dzong is a castle-monastery that overlooks the Thimphu valley. It is believed to have been the first Dzong to be built in Bhutan. The utse or the central tower is a three-storeyed building which houses the statues of Buddhist deities including Yeshay Gonpo, protector of Bhutan, paintings of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, and the walls are covered by dark murals and intricate artworks.
Hiking up to the Tango Goemba, a Buddhist monastery located near the Cheri mountains is a popular activity in Thimpu. This monastery is an important learning centre which has trained several religious leaders (Je Khenpo) of Bhutan. Tango literally translates to ‘horse head’ and it is named so, in honour of its main idol, Hayagriva. The complex contains the main three-storeyed goemba, six temples which house Buddhist deities made of gold and copper and the caves where the monks meditate. From the top, you will also get splendid views of the valley below and the endless mountain line.
Among the many museums of Thimpu, the most interesting one is the National Textile Museum. Here you can witness the colourful heritage of Bhutan’s weaving and embroidery including its traditional attire and the royal costumes which were worn by the kings and queens for special occasions.
You can also visit the National Folk Heritage Museum or art galleries like Water Dragon Gallery and Alaya Gallery which display works of Bhutanese artists.
Thimphu captures the essence of Bhutanese culture and history; with astonishing architectural landmarks, beautiful mountain scenery and an overtone of peace and serenity, it is truly a wonderful place to explore.
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