Memorial Chorten

Built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty the 3rd King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), it is one of the most prominent landmark of Thimphu. People from everywhere come here to do the Chorten Kora (going round the chorten). It looks magnificent a great place to visit and pray

Buddha Dordenma

Buddha Point is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue completed construction on September 25th 2015 celebrating 60th birth anniversary of fourth king His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It houses 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded Buddhas respectively, each of which, like the Buddha Dordenma itself, will be made of bronze and gilded in gold. it will be one of the largest Buddha rupas (Form of the Awakened One) in the world, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). Big ground in front makes it a nice place to stroll around and enjoy the scenic beauty of Thimphu

Changangkha Lhakhang

Lam Phajo Drugom Zhipo built it in 12th century, one of the oldest lhakhangs in the country. Lam Phajo Drugom Zhipo chose the site and the monastery houses Chenrizig (Avolokitesawara), an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation as the central statue. New born are brought here for naming them

Zorig Chusum

In 1680, Ngawang Namgyal, the Zhabdrung Rinpoche, ordered the establishment of the school for instruction in the thirteen traditional arts. Although the skills existed much earlier, it is believed that the zorig chusum was first formally categorised during the rule of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye (1680-1694), the 4th Druk Desi (secular ruler). You get to witness artisans & craftsman in action in these 13 different crafts & arts which is rare view in today's machine manufacturing era. It trains the Bhutanese students on all the 13 crafts and is leading the race to preserve the culture of Bhutan

Tashichho Dzong

Traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi (or "Dharma Raja"), the head of Bhutan's civil government, an office which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907, and summer capital of the country. The original Thimphu dzong (the Do-Ngön Dzong, or Blue Stone Dzong) was built in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanapa (1164-1224). In 1641 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal took over that Dzong from the Lhapa Kagyu, reconsecrated, and renamed it Tashichö-dzong. Tashichö Dzong has been the seat of Bhutan's government since 1968. It presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the cabinet secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Lowering of the national flag in the evening around 5 pm is an event not to be missed and the lights during the night makes it a visual treat.

Takin Preserve

Takin - the national animal of Bhutan is a peculiar animal with head of a goat and body of a cow, is believed to be created by Lama Drukpa Kuenlay - The Divine Madman upon his follower's request to show a miracle. He created it by attaching the skull of a goat and bones of a cow. It is an area of 3.4 hectares (8.4 acres). It is a collaborative effort of the Royal Government of Bhutan and World Wide Fund, WWF (Bhutan), including a traditionally styled entrance gate, a small information center, signage and trash receptacles.

Simtokha Dzong

It is the 1st Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629 in Bhutan. Earlier called Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Bhutanese language meaning: "Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras") is a small dzong in size compared to other dzongs in Bhutan. It is believed that the dzong provided protection against a demon which had disappeared into a rock close to the site and hence taken the name 'Simtoka' meaning "simmo" (demoness) and 'do' meaning "stone". The Buddhist school of Linguistics was established as part of the dzong.

Punakha Dzong

Also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong (meaning "the palace of great happiness or bliss"). Built by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in 1637–38 and houses sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the tertön Pema Lingpa. It is the winter capital of Bhutan and 2nd largest dzong. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion

Chimi Lhakhang

Also know as Chime Lhakhang stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a chorten on the site. Believed to be the Temple of Fertility, pilgrims & women visiting are blessed with wooden phallus (have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip) decorated with a silver handle. Lama Drukpa Kuenley is revered for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humour and outrageous behaviour, which amounted to being bizarre, shocking and with sexual overtones

Dochula Pass

Built on the pass overlooking Thimphu valley on one side and Wangdue/Punakha on the other, it is on the way to Punakha from Thimphu on a hill top where 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens" have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. Apart from the chortens there is a monastery called the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple), built in honour of the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck for the well being of the kingdom, it's people and all sentient beings took 9 years to complete this magnificent 4 storied Chorten showcasing the expertise and marvel of Bhutanese architecture, art & paintings. Lovely view of Punakha valley awaits you after a hike on 30 to 60 minutes from the suspension bridge.

Jakar Dzong

Also known as Jakar Yugyal Dzong built on the site of an earlier temple established by the Ralung hierarch Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk (1517–1554) when he came to Bhutan. Jakar Dzong may be the largest dzong in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). The name Jakar is derived from the word bjakhab, meaning "white bird". It is believed that a roosting white bird signalled the proper and auspicious location to found a monastery around 1549 and this dzong was built there. It has a unique structure and make a great view of Chamkhar valley of Bumthang

Jambay Lhakhang

Also known as Temple of Maitreya is believed to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsän Gampo in 659 CE on a single day to pin down an ogress to earth forever. The best known of these temples are Jokhang in Lhasa, Kichu in Paro, Bhutan and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang, Bhutan.It is a pilgrimage site for buddhist from around the world

Kurjay Lhakhang

One of the holy places where body imprint of Guru Rinpoche can be witnessed. It is believed that when Sindhu Raja of Bumthang fell very sick due to powerful local dieties like Shelging Karpo, he invited Guru to come to his rescue. Guru drove all the deities to a cave and meditated in the cave for 3 months and left his kurjey (body imprint) upon which the deities were subdued and Raja got well. Also a cypress tree that is believed to have sprouted from the walking stick of Guru Rinpoche is still there till today. It is also the final resting place of the previous three kings of Bhutan

Mebartsho

Or the burning lake in the Tang Valley near Bumthang, is related with Guru Rimpoche, who discovered his first terma (traditions of revelation in Tibetan Buddhism, Bön and the Greater Himalayan region) in the lake in 1475. As per legend Terton Pema Lingpa had a vision of the sacred treasures that Guru Rimpoche had hidden within the lake, centuries earlier. No one believed him. In order to prove his claims, Pema Lingpa held a butter lamp in his hand as he jumped into the lake. He re-emerged holding a chest and a scroll of paper with the butter lamp in his hand still burning bright. That's how the lake got it's name - Mebartsho (the burning Lake)

Wangdicholing Palace

Built in 1857, it is the first royal palace of Bhutan. 1st and 2nd Kings of Bhutan resided here and was the main summer residence. It is built on the site of a battle camp of the Trongsa penlop, Jigme Namgyal (father of 1st King of Bhutan). Interesting site to see is the five giant prayer wheels turned continuously by water.

Gangtey Goenpa

Established in 1613 by the first Peling Gyalsé Rinpoche or Gangteng Tulku, Rigdzin Pema Tinley (1564–1642), who was the grandson of the great Bhutanese "treasure revealer" Terchen Pema Lingpa (1450–1521), it overlooks Phobjika valley, famous for the black necked cranes (rare and extinct). It is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition.

Black Necked Crane Information Centre

Initiated by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre provides all information that you need to know about black necked cranes. It has telescopes for you to view the cranes. Journals, books and variety of print, audio-visual resources on the cranes will leave you with an everlasting fondness for this beautiful and rare cranes found only in Bhutan and Tibet.