Thimphu

Why Thimphu works

Thimphu is unlike any other national capital: building codes require traditional Bhutanese architectural motifs on every structure, there are no traffic lights (a white-gloved policeman directs the main intersection by hand), and the entire city sits within a steep Himalayan valley at over 2,300 metres. Tashichho Dzong, the fortress-monastery housing the throne room of Bhutan's king and the country's central monk body, anchors the city's northern end and is open to visitors in the late afternoon once official business concludes. The Buddha Dordenma, a 51-metre bronze Buddha statue gilded and seated on a hilltop above the city, contains 125,000 smaller Buddha statues within its base and offers the best valley panorama in Thimphu. The weekend market fills with farmers bringing produce, cheese and chillies down from surrounding villages, while the National Memorial Chorten draws a steady stream of elderly Thimphu residents circling it in prayer throughout the day. Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the valley's oldest temples, is where Bhutanese parents traditionally bring newborns for a name blessing. Weekend archery matches, Bhutan's national sport, are held at grounds around the city and are worth catching for the ceremonial singing and dancing that follows each successful shot. Thimphu works best as a one-to-two night stop, typically bookending a Bhutan itinerary that continues to Punakha and Paro.

Trip Snapshot

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