Thimphu is widely known as Bhutan’s Tourism Capital, in the way that it has become a perfect time capsule, embracing modernity while still preserving its cultural tradition. There’s plenty to see in the city’s decorated landscapes, whether it’s the snow-capped hills, the sprawling fields or the sheer number of urban activities in the city.
Royal Botanical Garden
A walk through the Royal Botanical Garden is a truly angelic experience since Thimphu’s Botanical Garden truly is like no other. It’s actually a biological corridor between two national parks, with three hills intersecting each other at this point: the Helela, the Dochula and Sinchula. Formerly, an ex-situ conservation area, there’s so much to learn about and experience in the natural landscape here, from the 500 acres of woodland and the world’s largest seed conservation project.
While this monastery was originally built as the home to the Lama in the 12th century, it is said to have been rebuilt in its present form by the ‘Divine Madman’ Drukpa Kunley. For monks, it’s considered their highest aspiration to pursue their studies at this monastery. It’s an absolute must-visit location for people interested in Buddhist culture, as it’s the location where the monk responsible for unifying Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, meditated in a cave nearby.
For an authentic taste of Bhutanese culture, weaving is absolutely integral towards understanding the background behind the country’s history in a visual way. From traditionally woven clothing to hand-woven costumes, Bhutanese clothing is very deeply rooted in folklore and the art of storytelling. Spend enough time at the academy and you might even be able to begin to tell which patterns come from which districts.
What better way to keep track of the passing time than a visit to the Clock Tower Square? Popular amongst the youth of Thimphu city, it’s a square that features four different clock towers that are built with intricate patterns in the traditional style of Buddhist architecture, with hand-painted dragons on its walls. It’s a hotspot for open-air concerts that you absolutely have to spend your evening with.
Buddha Dordenma
End your trip with a view from incredible heights atop the Buddha Point, also known as the Buddha Dordenma. It features a sitting Buddha statue that’s over 50 meters tall and is one of the largest in the world, built out of solid bronze. What’s fascinating about the structure is that it’s actually inhabited on the inside by exactly 125,000 smaller Buddha statues, each delicately placed. Since this point also overlooks the city, you can have a better look at the cityscape.
