This large Tibetan-style stupa is located in the heart of the Thimphu city and was build in 1974 to honor the memory of third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. There are different types of religious paintings and complex tantric statues inside reflecting in both peaceful and wrathful aspects of Buddhist Deities. Thoughout the day The Memorial Chorten is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu, and for many people it is the focus of their daily worship. Throughout the day people circumbulate the stupa and pry at small shine inside.
Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck Located at kuensel phodrang in capital, Thimphu.it is one of the largest Buddha statue in the world, at a height of 169 feet(51.5 meters). This gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue is made of bronze and gilded in gold overlooking the southern approach to capital.
It is located above central Thimphu, chang valley, built in 12th century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo on a ridge overlooking the town. Parents traditionally come here to get auspicious names for their newborns and also to get blessing from the local protector deity.
Authentic Bhutanese Craft bazaar in Thimphu sits along the Norzin Lam stretching from the Taj Tashi hotel up till Royal textile academy of Bhutan. The market consists of around 80 shops which are entirely made of bamboo huts aligned together along the Norzin Lam covering about half a kilometer of the road. Bhutan had its first craft bazaar or handicraft market in 2011 in Thimphu.The craft bazaar was initiated to promote the young talented rural based artists who master the arts and crafts of the age-old Bhutanese traditional arts which were passed down from generations. It offers a platform for these young entrepreneurs from remote communities, from all over the country to showcase their art and craftworks. The most important and the foremost aim of this initiative is to improve the socio-economic status of these rural-based communities. The shoppers will enjoy the stroll through this bazaar and will find at least a thing or two to take with them as souvenirs to remind them of their enchanting voyage through Bhutan.
Located at upper Motithang in Thimphu, the preserve has the national animal, Takin.According to Legend, Tibetan Buddhist master, Drukpa Kuenley while in Bhutan was requested to perform a miracle. He agreed with the condition that he should be served with a whole cow and a whole goat for lunch. After lunch, he took the goat’s head and placed it on the skeleton of the cow and gave it life and the Takin was born. The Takin still looks like an animal with a goat’s head and the body of a cow. The animal sprang up and moved on to the meadows to graze. The animal was then given the dong gyem tsey (Takin).
Sangaygang which is located North West of the Thimphu Valley is the popular spot or famous for the dating and taking a walk around the blue pines, it's around miles drive from the Thimphu valley. The Places has the top hills which gives a clear view of the entire Thimphu valley in a nutshell and the feeling from there is just fantastic. Bhutan First Broadcasting Service BBS which runs the radio and television network in the Country has the largest tower built there.
Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery is a Buddhist monastery in the small Himalayan country of Bhutan. The nunnery is located in Zilukha, Thimphu overlooking Tashichodzong and is a few minutes’ drive from the town.[1] It is popularly known as the Zilukha Anim Dratshang. It was built in 1976 by the 16th emanation of Thangtong Gyalpo, Drubthob Rikey Jadrel. Currently, the nunnery is home to about 60 nuns.
“The fortress of the glorious religion”, Tashichho Dzong (Fortress) is one of the most impressive buildings situated along the right flank of the Thimphu River and house the office of his majesty the king. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who unified Bhutan and was later reconstructed in 1962 by the third king his majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Located at Simtokha south of capital Thimphu, it is the first Dzong (Fortress of secret Mantras) constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629.The name Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and the legend associated with the Dzong construction tells us that it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing travelers in the region. Zhabdrung visited the place and subdued the demon; banishing her into the rock on the hill where the present Dzong is located. The Dzong was constructed enclosing the rock ensuring the imprisonment of the demon. Hence the Dzong derived its name as Simtokha from the word sinmo.Do.Kha-the Dzong on top of the demons stomach.
Located at Kawajangsa in Thimphu, it was first established in 1967 under the patronage of her majesty Queen Ashi phuentsho Choden (1911-2003).The national library has a rich collection of important and rare documents on Bhutan. Also you can witness world's biggest book published by Bhutan.
This institute, commonly known as 'The painting school', operates four- to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts. Students specialize in painting (furniture, thangkas – painted religious pictures, usually on canvas), woodcarving (masks, statues, bowls), embroidery (hangings, boots, clothes) or statue-making (clay). The craft demonstrations are a photographers' dream and it's hard not to be impressed with the skill and discipline of the young students. The showroom sells good-value pieces made by students.
Located in the capital city of Thimphu, this museum was established in 2001 and provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life. The Folk Heritage Museum is set inside a three storied, 19th century traditional house. The museum gives you a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, in addition to artifacts from rural households; it also displays an impressive collection of typical household objects, tools and equipment. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits and customs as well as hosting educational programs for children.
Royal Textile Museum is located in the heart of Thimphu city. The Queen mother, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay choden Wangchuck, is the patron of the museum and she has also spearheaded many initiatives to boost both national and international interest in Bhutan’s textiles and textile art traditions. A visit to the museum would enable one to witness the weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textile made by women and men.
The Tango Monastery is located on the adjacent mountain of Cheri Monastery. It is a16-km drive from Thimphu valley and about one hour’s hike from the nearest road. It was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 13th century and built in its present form by 4th Desi Tenzin Rabgaye, the fourth temporal ruler in 1688.the word ‘Tango’ in Bhutanese language means “horse head.
Located about a 16-km drive from to the north of Thimphu valley, it was built in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal at the age of twenty-seven. The monastery is at the mountain top and it takes about an hour’s hike to reach the monastery from the base. It is one of the most sacred places of Yeshe Gonpo, the Great protective Deity. It is like the life –tree of Pelden Drukpa which visited first by Ugyen Rinpoche, Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and later by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who established it as his first religious seat and lived there for a long time.
The weekend market is in permanent set of stalls north of Changlimithang Stadium. vendors form all over the place visits on Wednesday and remains until Sunday. They display different types of traditional and hand made products like local cheese, Butter, traditional tea, red chilies, vegetables etc. It is a very busy place where we can enjoy with different faces for a short visit.
This museum is located 10 minutes drive from Thimphu city. here you can witness traditional architecture, arts and crafts. you can witness the structure built reusing old timber, window and door frames and other items from traditional and old demolished houses. The best part is the portrayal of the age-old life styles of the Bhutanese people.
This private chapel, built in the 1990s by Dasho Aku Tongmi, the musician who composed Bhutan's national anthem, is southwest of the Weekend Market. It's beside the older Mani Dungkhar Lhakhang and is a replica of Guru Rinpoche's celestial abode. Inside is an array of large 4m-high statues, including several Guru Rinpoches. Look for the elephant skull in a box – reputedly unearthed while digging the foundations.