Bhutan travel guide

Bhutan has many fine fortress-monasteries, but the one in Punakha is one of the finest. Founded in the 17th century on a strategic and spectacular location at the joint of the two rivers (male and female) and on a backdrop of mountains. It's the second largest monastery in Bhutan and functioned as the country's administration centre while Punakha was the capital. Today the fortress-monastery still functions as a monastery and administration centre for Punakha province - and it's hard to imagine more splendid office buildings than these.

Every district has their fortress-monastery, which also works as the administration centre. Thimphu has Tashichho Dzong, Punakha has Punakha Dzong, and Paro has Rinpung Dzong. The location for Rinpung Dzong is almost at pretty as Punakha with great views over Paro town and valley. Inside, the temple is less interesting compared to the fine buildings surrounding the beautiful courtyard.

There are many spectacular road trips in Bhutan. Both Thimphu-Punakha and Punakha-Gangtey mountain "highways" are two of the most popular ones, but the Chhudzom-Haa road is also of outstanding beauty. Common for them all are the winding road chopped out of the mountainside with a raging river below. Every bend offers new majestic views of pristine forest, lush valleys with small villages, and cloud covered mountain tops. Prayer flags hang along the road, while streams power prayer wheels. Even though the roads are in general good condition, there are sections which has been damaged by the frequent rock falls and mudslides.

Another great sight in the Punakha area is the 180 m long suspension bridge. Though the bridge is made of steel and is fairly stable, it can still feel a bit nerveracking to cross it. Keep in mind, you have to return the same way, so don't venture too far out, if heights and moving bridges aren't your thing.

The monastery Tachog Lhakhang was built in the 15th century and is mostly famous for having the first iron bridge in Bhutan. Some of the ancient chain links can still be seen in the small temple.

This fortress-monastery is the biggest building in Thimphu and houses most of the Bhutanese government offices and the King's throne room. Though the original dzong was built in the 13th-century, the buildings you see today are all except two from 1968. There are many fine murals and buddha statues, which your guide probably will fill you in on. Though it's probably one of the most guarded attractions in Bhutan, the security is really loose at best.

Punakha used to be the capital of Bhutan, but in 1961 it was officially changed to Thimphu. Though Thimphu is a pleasant town with about 100,000 inhabitants and no traffic lights, it's mostly interesting due to the number of sights: National Memorial stupa, Tashichho dzong (Bhutan's administration centre), and the Giant Buddha. You will probably notice that no buildings are higher than 6 floors, which are inforced to reduce damages in case of an earthquake.

Everything about this iconic monastery is spectacular. The 2-3 hours hike up to the monastery is surprisingly rewarding with plenty of viewpoints, which just become better and better the closer you get. The temple itself was first founded in 1692, but was reconstructed in 2004 after another devastating fire (most temples in Bhutan have been burnt down at some point in history). Maze like stairways link the separate prayer rooms, which mostly are dedicated to Padmasambhava, who flew here on the back of a tiger. If lucky, you might be able to catch a rimdu (chanting with music instruments) or another religious ritual. Like elsewhere in Bhutan, no photos are allowed inside the temple.