Western
Bhutan comprises of the most beautiful valley in the world. Here nature and
man consulted to create their dearest image.
Mt. Chomoihari 7320m
reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial
water plunge through deep gorges to form the
Pa-Chu (Paro River).
Paro is the name of a district (dzongkhag), valley, river
and town in the Kingdom of Bhutan, located at 27°30?N 89°20?E. It
is one of the most historic valleys in Bhutan. Both trade goods and invading
Tibetans came over the pass at the head of the valley, giving Paro the
closest cultural connection with Tibet of any Bhutanese district. Important
cultural sites include:
Taktshang, or Tiger's Nest, the
most famous monastery in Bhutan.
Kyichu Lhakhang, which
along with Jambay Lhakhang in central Bhutan is the oldest temple in Bhutan,
dating to the 7th century.
Drukgyel Dzong, at the upper
end of the valley, built to protect against invading Tibetans, but in ruins
since a fire in the 1950s.
Paro is one of the most
fertile valleys in the kingdom producing a bulk of the famous red rice on
its terraced fields, home to some of Bhutan's oldest temples &
monasteries. The beauty of Paro valley is embellished by cluster of quaint
farmhouses. Bhutanese houses are very colorful and traditionally built
without the use of a single nail. The house looks very big from outside but
is quite simple inside. It's normally three storeys. The ground floor is
always used for cattle while the attic is used to store hay. The families
live in the middle floor. The best room is always kept for the family
chapel. A visit to a farmhouse is very interesting and offers a good glimpse
into the lifestyle of a farmer.
Paro
Town, the single market town in the dzonghag which is booming (by
Bhutanese standards) due to an influx of tourist dollars. Rinpung Dzong,
also known as
Paro Dzong, the massive fortress/monastery is also the
administrative center of the dzonkhag. Scenes from the movie Little Buddha
were filmed in and around this dzong.
The National Museum of
Bhutan, where visitors can learn about the culture of Bhutan is located
here. Paro contains the only active international airport in Bhutan, the
Paro Airport. A beautiful small green-roofed facility in a valley, served
only by Druk Air (Bhutan's National Airline) from India and other countries
in Southeast Asia
Paro is bordered by Haa dzongkhag to the west, Tibet
to the north, Thimphu to the east, and Chukha dzongkhag to the south.
Paro comprises of ten gewogs or counties:
Doga
Dopshari
Doteng
Hungrel
Lamgong
Lungnyi
Naja
Shapa
Tsento
Waangchang
THIMPHU (2.300m) the modern capital of Bhutan lies at an elevation of
2300m in a valley traversed by the
Wang Chu (river). Although not
what one expects from a capital city, Thimphu is a fitting and lively place.
Home to civil servants, expatriates and the monk body, Thimphu maintains a
strong national character in its architectural style. It is also an ideal
spot for day walks. Phajoding monastery is a 4 hrs hike from the Motithang
area; Tango & Cheri monasteries are also another 3-4hrs hike from the
capital, all the way to the top of the Telegraph Hill where thousands of
prayer flags obscure the view over Thimphu. Chime Lhakhang located on a
hillock among the rice fields is picturesque and is a pilgrimage site for
childless couples. The temple is associated with the famous saint Drukpa
Kuenlay "
The Devil Madman" who has built a Chorten on the
site during the 14th century. Thimphu is the largest city of cities as well
as a district of Bhutan and divided into ten gewogs(counties ):
»
Bapbi
» Chang
» Dagala
» Genyekha
»
Kawang
» Lingzhi
» Mewang
» Naro
»
Soe
» Toepisa
Punakha
Dzong built between two rivers in the 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyel served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still the winter
residence of the central monk body. It is is one of the 20 dzongkhag
(districts) comprising Bhutan.
In spite of four catastrophic
fires and an earthquake that destroyed many historic documents, Punakha
Dzong houses sacred artefacts and the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyel. Punakha's climate and warmer temperatures make its valley one of
the most fertile of Bhutan.
The river of Chhu flows alongside
Punakha Dzong and is bordered by Thimphu, Gasa, and Wangdue Phodrang
dzonkhags. Punakha is divided into nine gewogs (counties):
»
Chhubu
» Dzomo
» Goenshari
» Guma
»
Kabjisa
» Lingmukha
» Shenga Njime
» Talo
» Toewang
Wangdue
Phodrang (previously spelled
Wangdi Phodrang) is a dzongkhag
(district), of central Bhutan. This is also the name of the dzong (built in
1638) which dominates the district, and the name of the small market town
outside the gates of the dzong. The name is said to have been given by the
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who was searching for the best location for a
dzong to prevent incursions from the south. At the chosen spot, the
Shabdrung encountered a boy named Wangdi playing beside the river and hence
named the dzong "Wangdi's Palace".
Wangdue Phodrang is
bordered by Dagana and Tsirang dzongkhags to the south, Tongsa dzongkhag to
the east, Thimphu and Punakha dzongkhag to the west, and Gasa dzongkhag and
a small section of the border with Tibet to the north.
There are
three paved roads in Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag. The Lateral Road enters
from the west at Dochu La Pass, crosses the Puna Tsang Chhu at Wangdue
Phodrang dzong, and continues east to Tongsa. One spur road heads north from
Wangdue Phodrang to the dzong at Punakha and slightly beyond. This becomes
the footpath to Gasa. A second spur departs the Lateral Road halfway between
Wangdue and Tongsa, traveling south a short distance to Phobjikha monastery
and the Gangtey valley where the rare Black-necked Cranes (grus nigricollis)
may be found.
Wangdue Phodrang is divided into 15 gewog
(counties):
» Athang
» Bjena
» Daga
»
Dangchu
» Gangtey
» Gasetsho Gom
» Gasetsho Om
» Kazhi
» Nahi
» Nyisho
» Phangyuel
»
Phobji
» Ruepisa
» Sephu
» Thedtsho
