National Memorial Chorten
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
The Memorial Chorten is a stupa (Dzongkha chöten, cheten) in Thimphu, Bhutan, located near Desuung Headquarters and above Royal Bhutan Police Headquarters. The stupa, built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. In 2008, it underwent extensive renovation. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan". It was consecrated by Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje. This stupa is unlike others as it does not enshrine human remains. Only the Druk Gyalpo’s photo in a ceremonial dress adorns a hall in the ground floor. His mother Queen Ashi Phuentsho Choden Wangchuck built this in his memory. The Memorial Chorten of Thimphu was conceived by Thinley Norbu Rinpoche (1931–2011), according to the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It was erected in 1974 in memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 3rd Druk Gyalpo, who had died in 1972. The main patron was the Druk Gyalpo's mother, Phuntsho Choden.
Buddha Dordenma
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The statue houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Great Buddha Dordenma itself, are made of bronze and gilded in gold. The Great Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuk, the thirteenth Druk Desi, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Construction began in 2006 and was planned to finish in October 2010, however construction did not conclude until 25 September 2015. The completed work is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at 177 feet (54 m) and contains 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded bronze Buddhas. The statue was constructed at a cost of US$47 million by Aerosun Corporation of Nanjing, China, which was sponsored by Rinchen Peter Teo a Singaporean businessman. The total cost of the entire project is well over US$100 million. The interior will accommodate respectively. Names of sponsors are displayed in the meditation hall which forms the throne of the Great Buddha Dordenma. Apart from commemorating the centennial of the Bhutanese monarchy, it fulfills two prophecies. In the twentieth century, the yogi Sonam Zangpo prophesied that a large statue of either Padmasambhava, Buddha or of a phurba would be built in the region to bestow blessings, peace and happiness on the whole world. Additionally, the statue is mentioned in the ancient terma of Guru Rinpoche, a.k.a. Padmasambhava, himself, said to date from approximately the eighth century, and recovered some 672 years ago by terton Pema Lingpa. Under the eyes of the Buddha statue, the Kuensel Phodrang nature park formally opened in 2011. The park conserves 943.4 acres of forest area that surrounds the Buddha Dordenma statue and houses two public outdoor gymnasiums which opened in 2015.
Changankha Lhakhang Temple
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
Changangkha Lhakhang is a compact temple complex located on the tip of a ridge that juts towards central Thimphu from the hills to the east. Founded in the 13th or 14th centuries, it is probably the oldest surviving temple in Thimphu. The main components and foundations of the monastery are extremely old, long predating the unification of Bhutan in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The temple is often frequented by parents with small children seeking to obtain blessings from the protective deity of the temple, Genyen Domtsangpa, who is considered to be the birth deity and protector of children born in JDWNRH national referral hospital in Thimphu. Changangkha Lhakhang was founded in the 13th century by Nyima, one of the sons of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo who first introduced the teachings of the Drukpa Kagyu tradition of Himalayan Buddhism to Bhutan, and who is revered as an emanation of Avalokite?vara, The main object of reverence in the temple is a huge bronze "self-arisen" statue of the Mahakarunika form of Avalokite?vara (rang byung thugs rje chen po), which is in a seated posture with eleven heads and multiple arms. This was the personal deity of Phajo. Some claim this statue is "self arisen" or miraculously occurring, while others say it was made by an exceptionally skilled and inspired Newa artisan at the time of the construction of the temple.
Authentic Craft Bazzer
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
Takin Preserve Center
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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 View Point
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
Dewachen Nunnery
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
Tashichhoe Dzong
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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."
Simtokha Dzong
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
Simtokha Dzong ('dzong' means "castle-monastery") also known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Bhutanese language meaning: "Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras") is a small dzong. It was built in 1628 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan. It is the first of its kind built in Bhutan. An important historical monument and former Buddhist monastery, today it houses one of the premier Dzongkha language learning institutes. It recently underwent renovation. The dzong is at strategic security location on a prominent ridge vis-a-vis the Thimphu valley and approach roads to the Dochula Pass and eastern Bhutan. The Simtokha is located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. The location of the Dzong has a huge importance. The present place where the dzong stands at the boundary common to three prominent western regions: Sha (Wangduephodrang), Wang (Thimphu) and Pa (Paro).
National Library
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
Institute for Zorig Chusum
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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."
Folk Heritage Museum
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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 Bhutanese 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."
Tango Monastery
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
Cheri Monastery
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
Weekend Market
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
Simply Bhutan Museum
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
Zangtoperi (Paradise)
Located in: Thimphu
History & Overview
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.
