There are a good many things to see in the capital which has a very relaxed, laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively small having a population of approximately 85,000 people and the streets are wide and tree lined. You will almost certainly visit the Late King’s Memorial Chorten, the National Library, Drubthob Nunnery, Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Mini zoo, the handmade paper factory, the school of arts and crafts where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts (Zo Rig Chusum – the thirteen crafts), Gold and the Silver Smiths workshop, Changangkha Lhakhang, and the Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centres to see the weavers at work and also varieties of textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewellery etc.
Overnight: Hotel
Heritage Museum
Folk Heritage Mueusm or Phelchey Toenkhyim Museum is housed in a 19th century three-storey traditional rammed mud and timber house in Kawangjangsa, Thimphu. It aims to exhibit the life and living styles of upper middle class Bhutanese family of that time. There are households equipments, tools on display. Seasonal vegetable garden, a hot stone bath, a watermill etc can be seen in the premise.
Memorial Chorten This white and tall landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a four-storey tall white building, containing statues and iconography of deities from complex tantric teachings and serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country.
Zilukha Nunnery is housed in Drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about 70 nuns who live and pray everyday in the monastery. There are good views of Tashicho Dzong, Golf course and upper Thimphu.
Takin Sanctuary:
A short distance of the road to the telecom tower is a tail leading to a large fenced area that was originally established as a mini-zoo. The king decided that such a facility was not in keeping with Bhutan environmental and religious convictions, and it was disbanded sometime ago. The animals were released into the wild but the takins were so tame (some people say they are simply stupid) that they wandered around the streets of Thimphu looking for food, and the only solution was to put them back into captivity. It is worthwhile taking the time to see these strange, quite ugly animals. The best time to see them is early morning when they gather near the fence to feed. It is a five-minute walk from the road to a viewing area where you can take advantage of a dew holes in the fence to take photographs.
Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) has been chosen as the national animal of Bhutan is based both on its uniqueness and its association with country’s history and mythology. It is said that Devine Madman, a popular saint is said to have created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles a cow from back, a goat from the front, and it continues to befuddle taxonomists, who cannot quite relate to other animal.
Painting School
The National Institute for Zorig Chusum Pedzoe (School of Arts and Crafts) is commonly known as “the painting school”. It operates under the National Technical Training Institute and offers a six-year course that provides instruction in Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts called Zorig Chuksum – meaning 13 crafts. It follows the regular school schedule (9am-5pm Mon-Fri and 9-1pm on Sat) with exceptions of holidays and breaks.Tourists are allowed to visit the school and take a peek at the classes the boys attend. There is also a small shop at the school that sells the students’ work.
Paper Factory
Traditional papers were made from the daphne plant, using simple methods. Like rice papers, these papers are said to last longer.
National Library
The National Library (1967) built in the style of a traditional temple contains a large collection of religious books and manuscripts in Dzongkha and Classical Tibetan and a collection of English-language books. It also contains a copy of the largest published book in the world. There is a section of the library in which books and prayer flags are printed using wooden blocks. In another section there is collection of these wooden blocks that are used for printing books and prayer flags. An altar on the ground floor, with statues of Bhutan’s most important historic figures, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Pema Lingpa and Guru Rinpoche, also contributes to the building’s sacred importance.
Sangaygang View Point (Telecom Tower)
There’s a wonderful view of Thimphu valley from the hillside below the telecommunications tower (elevation 2685m), high above the town at the end of a road that branches off from the approach to the youth centre. The complex also houses the broadcasting studios of Bhutan television. Don’t photograph the telecommunications installation, but the valley is worth a few snaps. The area is known as Sangaygang and it becomes a lover’s lane late at night.
Changangkha Lhakhang
Changangkha Lhakhang is an old fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south-east of Motithang. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. The central statue is Chenresig in a 11-headed manifestations, and the books in the temple are larger in size than usual Tibetan texts. There is an excellent view of Thimphu from the courtyard.
Weekend Market of Thimphu: starts around noon on Friday and ends on Sunday afternoon. It resembles the farmers market in the west. However since there are no big super markets, Thimphu’s weekend market is the main source of fresh produce. It is an interesting place to visit, where village people jostle with well heeled Thimphu residents for best and cheapest vegetables and other food products.
