After two years of the pandemic, Bhutan finally reopened its borders to outside visitors on September 23, 2022. In an effort to promote tourism while improving it, the nation introduced new tourism policies. Above all, there are no Covid-19 entry requirements.
It’s finally time to change your travel itinerary if you’ve been saving for your ideal trip to Bhutan for the past two years. Before you plan a trip to Bhutan, read this blog to learn all the information you need to know about places to go, things to do, and rules.
Top Destinations to See in Bhutan
- Trimphu
- Paro
- Punakha
- Trongsa
- Jakar
- Phobjikha
- Wangdue Phodrang
- Jigme Dorji National Park
- Mount Chomolhari
- Phuentsholing
1.Thimphu
The capital and most interesting place in Bhutan is Thimphu. The city, which is tucked away in the upper Himalayan range, provides breathtaking views of the Raidak or Chuu River and its emerald forests. Culture-wise, Thimphu is a must-visit location, combining modern conveniences with the old world charms. When you see them running a red light like a traffic cop, you might just be astounded.
It’s interesting to note that the red light only operated in the city for three days before being replaced by a human traffic controller because the residents disliked and thought the light was rather negative. Today, the city is overrun with tourists taking pictures as they discover the priceless gems of Bhutanese food, culture, and way of life.
2.Paro
With its unspoiled natural beauty, pure air, and surroundings of rolling hills, verdant meadows, and ancient buildings, Paro is the most visited place in Bhutan. The only international airport is located right here in the city. As a result, Paro welcomes the greatest number of visitors every year.
Visits to the picturesque dzongs of Paro and Zuri, as well as to monasteries and palaces such as Ugyen Pelri Palace, Pelri Goemba, and Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), are common.
Temples, monuments, and museums like the National Museum, Bondey Lhakhang, Khangkhu Lhakhang, Tago Lhakhang, and Druk Choeding are some of the other top tourist destinations. It is best to explore Paro on foot as it is a peaceful historic town. It is ultimately a must-visit location in Bhutan since it is worth taking a stroll to observe the way of life of the people living there.
3.Punakha
Punakha is another stunning location in Bhutan that attracts lots of tourists looking for adventure. For those who relish the exhilarating experience of river rafting in the two rivers/chhus, Mo and Pho, this is “the best place to be.”
Punakha is most known, nevertheless, for the magnificent Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century fortress that towers over the Pho and Mo Chhu. This Himalayan town celebrates Punakha Tshechu, a religious festival of Bhutan, with traditional music and mask dances.
The place has a surreal vibe, which is why many come here to experience its breathtaking natural beauty and learn about Bhutanese culture and history.
The town is surrounded by the Punakha Valley, which is home to several must-see sites like Namgyal Chorten and Chimi Lhakhang. A magnificent view of the mountains and rivers can be had from these locations. The best sites to visit in Punakha are also Limbhukha and the Punakha Dzong.
4.The Trongsa
The central Bhutanese town of Trongsa offers a serene environment for meditation and sensory overload thanks to its abundant vegetation. This must-see location in Bhutan is ideally situated in the middle, near a key intersection that connects roads to Punakha, Gelephu, and Bumthang.
The Trongsa Dzong is one of Trongsa’s most notable attractions. One of the greatest Buddhist monasteries, it is situated above a valley and has red roofs and whitewashed walls. The only thing to do in Trongsa, aside from sightseeing, is to stroll through the charmingly decorated shops filled with happy locals. The shops are crammed with potted plants.
5.Jakar
Jakar, also referred to as Chamkhar locally, is approaching the foothills of Choekhor Valley. The Jakar Dzong is a well-known landmark in this area, which is primarily recognized as a trading hub. This well-known dzong, which is probably the largest in all of Bhutan, is serenely situated above the town in the Chamkhar Valley of Bumthang. Jakar might need a few days to thoroughly explore all of the surrounding valleys.
In addition to the Jakar Dzong, there are a number of noteworthy and popular attractions in this area, including the 14th-century Jakar Lhakhang, the 1857-built Wangdicholing Palace, the Bumthang Brewery, and Lhodrak Kharchu Goemba, which was founded in the 1970s by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche. Bathpalathang Airport, Jakar’s domestic airport, is situated on the east bank of the Chamkhar Chhu.
6.Phobjikha
The Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park is bordered by the massive U-shaped glacial valley known as Phobjikha. The stunning black-necked cranes spend the winter months in this enchanting land. Not only that, but Phobjikha experiences exciting festivals in addition to its picturesque and serene surroundings.
Tsechu Festival and the Crane Festival, which welcomes black-neck cranes, are annually held within the boundaries of Phobjikha Valley and are widely observed in the courtyard of Gangteng Monastery.
But this home on the western flanks of the Black Mountains provides breathtaking views of meadows, marshes, and lovely valleys. Apart from the cranes, Phobjikha is near Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, so you can see Himalayan black bears, leopards, red foxes, muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, and serows in the surrounding hills.
In addition to Bhutan’s wildlife, Phobjikha offers attractions like Nyelung Dechenling, Gangte Goemba, Khewang Lhakhang, Damchen Lhakhang, Kumbu Lhakhang, White Chorten, and Wangmo Hand-Woven Carpet Factory.
7.Wangdue Phodrang
Wangdue Phodrang is yet another destination in Bhutan; it’s a serene and lovely town. This location is a border town close to Punakha, in Central Bhutan. Wangdue Phodrang is well known for its stone carvings, slate products, and bamboo goods. The Wangdue Phodrang dzong, which is only open to visitors during the autumnal Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu celebration, is another notable attraction in this area.
Wangdue Phodrang, where Punakha Chhu and Tang Chhu converge, offers lush cattle pastures and picturesque scenery. The most popular tourist destinations in this area are the Dzong Gate, Eight Chortens, Radak Neykhang, Vegetable Market, Archery Ground, and Army Training Center.
8.Park of Jigme Dorji National
One of the best places to travel in Asia to see wildlife is the national park Jigme Dorji, which is situated in Bhutan. This park, which encompasses the districts of Punakha, Thimphu, Gasa, Paro, and Wangdue Phodrang, is the second largest national park. Jigme Dorji National Park is well-known because it combines the best aspects of nature—wildlife and cultural sites—into one location.
UNESCO has designated the park as a tentative site; in actuality, about 6,500 people live there and manage the park’s agriculture and animal husbandry. But the national park mentioned above is home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
About 37 known mammal species are found here, along with several endangered ones like the Ussuri dhole, clouded leopard, snow leopard, takin, Bengal tiger, Himalayan blue sheep, Himalayan black bear, black musk deer, and red panda. However, the sambar, serow, barking deer, marmot, goral, pika, and over 300 different species of birds can also be found in this national park.
The only park where the national bird, the raccoon, the national flower, the blue poppy, and the national tree, the cypress, coexist on the same grounds is Jigme Dorji National Park. The park is among the top tourist destinations in Bhutan because of these qualities.
9.Mount Chomolhari/Jomolhari
Chomolhari, sometimes known as Jomolhari Mountain, is one of the most incredible places to visit in Bhutan. It is located about 50 kilometers from Paro Airport and is 2,700 meters above sea level. Because of its close proximity to Kanchenjunga, the mountain, which is spread along the border between Tibet, China, and Bhutan, is frequently referred to as “the bride of Kanchenjunga.
Jomolhari is revered by Tibetan Buddhists as a sacred site. It is thought to be the home of Goddess Jomo, the guardian goddess of Tibet and Bhutan.
Every year from March to June, hordes of adventure seekers and trekkers from all over the world flock to this Himalayan mountain to take in the breath-taking views. In addition to hiking along the breathtaking nature trails at Jomolhari’s foothills, you will visit the 4,150-meter-high Jomolhari Temple.
It is a well-liked destination for pilgrims to stay. An hour’s walk from the temple is Tseringma Lhatso, another location. The pilgrims refer to it as the “spirit lake” of Tsheringma.
10.Phuentsholing
When Indian tourists enter Bhutan via road, they enter at Phuentsholing, sometimes spelled Phuntsholing. It borders both the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Indian town of Jaigaon.
Known as the primary business hub for Indians and Bhutanese, Phuentsholing is the nation’s second-biggest town. Like every other tourist destination in Bhutan, it offers visitors a welcoming, tidy, and secure atmosphere.
Nonetheless, Phuentsholing is the only location in Bhutan where Indian visitors are exempt from requiring a travel permit, in contrast to other locations where such a document is required.
Although Phuentsholing lacks a Dzong, it is undoubtedly one of the most charming locations in Bhutan due to its many tourist attractions. Among the most well-liked tourist destinations are Amo Chuu, Bhutan Gate, Karbandi Monastery, and Zangthopelri Lhakhang.