Situated in the western part of Bhutan, Paro is a broad valley and beautiful, rich in agricultural land. It is also the entry point for all visitors flying into Bhutan. One can fly here from Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Gaya, Singapore, and Dhaka. Many of the Kingdom’s oldest temples and monasteries are situated in Paro. It remained a trade route in the olden days which connected Tremo la and Phari Dzong in Tibet. The weather here is moderate in summer and cold in winter with snowfall. During spring, the Paro Tshechu attracts hundreds of international tourist and thousands of Bhutanese locals. The most famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) and Kichu Lhakhang are situated here.
Places of interest: Monuments
Rimpung Dzong which means Fortress on a Heap of Jewels was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. One of the Bhutan’s strongest and important fortress, it was built to defend the Paro valley from Tibetan invasions. In the past many Penlops or the feudal Lords ruled from this dzong. Built on a steep hillside, the dzong now houses the administrative and monastic body. You can walk through a cantilevered, wooden bridge over the Paro River which will eventually lead you to the dzong.
Ta Dzong situated at the top of the hill above Paro Dzong is an old structure which was once a watch tower for defense of Rimpung Dzong. It was renovated and converted to National Museum which houses the ancient art, Religious paintings, masks, costumes and armours and also the Bhutan’s exquisite postal stamps.
Drugyal Dzong meaning Victorious Fortress was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. The dzong is situated 15 km north of Paro valley. One can see the beautiful view of Jumolhari Mountain from the dzong on a clear weather. The dzong was used as an administrative centre until it was destroyed by fire caused by butter lamp in 1951.
Kyichu Lhakhang is the oldest and the most sacred temple in the Kingdom said to have been built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. The second temple was built by Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan.
Taktsang Monastery most popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most revered Temple is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the Paro valley. According to legend, the Guru is said to have flown on the back of the Tigress to this site from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse. He then meditated here for three months. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay in 1684. In April 1998 a fire destroyed the main structure of the temple and its contents but now it has been restored to its original glory. People from all across the country come to visit the monastery, as it is said once in lifetime every Bhutanese should visit this holy site.
Places of interest: Monuments
Rimpung Dzong which means Fortress on a Heap of Jewels was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. One of the Bhutan’s strongest and important fortress, it was built to defend the Paro valley from Tibetan invasions. In the past many Penlops or the feudal Lords ruled from this dzong. Built on a steep hillside, the dzong now houses the administrative and monastic body. You can walk through a cantilevered, wooden bridge over the Paro River which will eventually lead you to the dzong.
Ta Dzong situated at the top of the hill above Paro Dzong is an old structure which was once a watch tower for defense of Rimpung Dzong. It was renovated and converted to National Museum which houses the ancient art, Religious paintings, masks, costumes and armours and also the Bhutan’s exquisite postal stamps.
Drugyal Dzong meaning Victorious Fortress was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. The dzong is situated 15 km north of Paro valley. One can see the beautiful view of Jumolhari Mountain from the dzong on a clear weather. The dzong was used as an administrative centre until it was destroyed by fire caused by butter lamp in 1951.
Kyichu Lhakhang is the oldest and the most sacred temple in the Kingdom said to have been built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. The second temple was built by Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan.
Taktsang Monastery most popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most revered Temple is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the Paro valley. According to legend, the Guru is said to have flown on the back of the Tigress to this site from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse. He then meditated here for three months. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay in 1684. In April 1998 a fire destroyed the main structure of the temple and its contents but now it has been restored to its original glory. People from all across the country come to visit the monastery, as it is said once in lifetime every Bhutanese should visit this holy site.
