Thimphu Sightseeing
Thimphu lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the West Bank of the Thimphu Chhu [Chhu means River]. Thimphu is unlike any otherworld
capital. Small and secluded the city is quiet and there are never the traffic jams familiar in other Asian Capitals. It is often said that Thimphu is the only world capital without traffic lights. Thimphu's main shopping street is a delight not so much for what you can buy there, but for the picturesqueness of the architecture and national costume. Beautiful weaves in wool, silk and cotton, basketwork, silver jewellery, thangkas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various Handicraft Emporiums.
Morning : Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the
third King who reigned from 1952-1972.Visit the National Library where
ancient manuscripts are preserved.Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thankas here (sacred Buddhist scroll).Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts.Visit the Weekend market where vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain till Sunday. Here you will find indigenous goods, handicrafts, locally produced goods, etc.
Afternoon: Visit Semtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan,
built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the
largest monastic schools in the country.
Visit Tashichho Dzong - the main secretariat building. It is from here
that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head
Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer.
Visit Pangri Zampa Monastery, situated just beyond Dechencholing Palace (5
km. from Thimphu). This temple was the first residence of Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. Ngawang Chogyel,
the great ancestor of the Shahdrung, built it during the first quarter of
the 16th century.
Shopping [Optional]
Evening : Dinner/Reception.
Overnight : Thimphu |
