Thimphu

Formerly spelled as Thimbu, Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. Situated in the western central part of Bhutan, the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan’s dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. This bustling little city is the major centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. The beautiful blend of ancient tradition and modernity make Thimphu the perfect location for visitors to relax in peace. The most modern city in Bhutan, Thimphu is abundant with restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers. It still retains its cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernization.

About Thimphu
Thimphu beautifully reflects the rich culture of Bhutan, in respect of religion, customs, national dress code, and the monastic practices of the monasteries, music, dance, literature and the media. One of the important festivals celebrated in Thimphu is the Tshechu Festival celebrated in the courtyards of the Tashichho Dzong. One of the most curious features of Thimphu is that it is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights.

Attractions

Dochula Pass - One of the major attractions of Thimphu is Dochula pass. Located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu, the pass is a popular location among the tourists offering panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range.

Semtokha Dzong - A large statue of Yeshay Gonpo (Mahakala), the chief protective deity of Bhutan, is housed inside the Utse. The dzong houses countless statues and paintings of various Buddhas, deities and religious figures including the Right Manifestations of Guru RImpoche, Jampelyang the Bodhisattava of Wisdom, and many more.

Tashichho Dzong - The seat of the government since 1952, the Tashichho Dzong presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Located close to Thimphu town, next to the banks of the Wang Chhu River, the dzong is an impressively large structure with beautiful gardens.

National Memorial Chorten - Built in memory of Third Druk Gyalpo, the memorial is dedicated to World Peace. The chorten is a large white structure crowned with golden spire. Chorten literally means ‘Seat of Faith’, and is the finest example of Buddhist architecture and artwork with gorgeous paintings and intricate sculptures.

Best time to visit
The best time to visit Thimphu is during the months of summer, from March to May. Thimphu also receives a lot of rainfall during the monsoon reason from late May to August and can be disruptive for travel. Another window before Winter is autumn or fall, from September to November and is also a busy tourist season.

How to reach
Bhutan’s only international airport is in Paro, about two hours away from Thimphu by road. There are regular flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to Paro city by Drukair- Royal Bhutan Airlines, which is the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bhutan.