Important Links
REGIONS OF BHUTAN
WESTERN BHUTAN
Paro District: Paro Town (Elevation 2,280m)
The places to visit include the Paro Dzong, the National Museum housed in a round fortress called the Ta Dzong. The Tiger's Nest or the Taktshang is one of the most popular spiritual heritage sites.
Thimphu District: Capital City (Elevation 2,320m).
This is th capital of Bhutan with a population of approximately 100,000 people. Places to visit in Thimphu include the Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum, the TrashichoDzong, the National Memorial Chorten. The district of Thimphu, however, stretches beyond the town and goes past Dochu-la, the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan. The 108 Druk Wangyal chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colourful prayer flags provide a scenic view. On clear day, you can see panorama of the Himalayan mountain range.
Punakha District: Punakha (Elevation 1300m)
Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan.It is the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. A short drive up the valley is the Khamsum Yulley Chorten ( stupa) constructed in 1992, as one of three such chortens in the world, one being the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.
Wangduephodrang : Elevation 1350m)
Wangduephodrang Dzong sits majestically on a steep ridge overlooking the highway that fork to the east and south of the country. Pele pass takes place you into the magical valley of Phobjikha, rare Black Necked Crane and Gangtey Gompa Monastry, built in the 17 th Century.
CENTRAL BHUTAN
Trongsa Elevation 2,316m
About four hour's drive from Wangduephodrang is central district, long before you reach it, you see the resplendent Trongsa Dzong in the valley centre.
Bumthang : Elevation 2,600m-4000m
Bumthang is often described as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom. Some of the well known temples include kurjey Lhakhang, Jampey Lhakhang and the historic Jakar Dzong.
EASTERN BHUTAN
For those with enough time on their hands, venture into eastern Bhutan for something quite different. This is the landof the sharchops who speak their own language and nurture their own culture and weave beautiful textiles.
Trashigang: Elevation 1,151m
Trashigang, the largest district of Bhutan, is 3.5 hour drive from Mongar and 547 km from Thimphu.
Trashi Yangtse: Elevation 1830m
A 3.5 hour drive Trashigang is Trashi Yangtse, the astern home of the Black Necked crane, bordering the Indian district of Arunachal Pradesh. Both Bhutanese and local tribe from across the border enjoy the Chorten Kora festival at Trashi Yangtse.
SOUTHERN BHUTAN
Samdrup Jongkhar
The southeastern of Samdrup Jongkhar is a small border town, six hours drive from Trashigang. With generally warm weather, the district is ideal for birdwatching.
Phuentsholing: Elevation 1,829m
To the southwest lies Phuntsholing, a bustling industrial town that is the southern gateway to India. It's the drive from phuentsholing to thimphu that makes the journey from the south worthwhile as the highway takes you on a slow journey from the tropical plains through changing vegetation up to the higher altitudes of the Himalayan Kingdom.