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 Thimphu
Old-world capital city is situated in the Wang
Chhu river valley at an elevation of 7500
ft./2286 m.
At the Handicrafts Emporium, you may choose your
souvenirs from an array of hand-crafted and
hand-woven wares. Tashichhodzong, the main
secretariat building, houses all the ministers,
the National Assembly Hall, the office of the
King and the Throne Room. It is also the summer
residence of the monk body and the religious
chief, the Je Khempo.
The Memorial Chorten is dedicated to the late
King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the father of modern
Bhutan.
Five miles out of Thimphu, on a lofty ridge,
stands the Simtokha Dzong which was built in
1627 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal. It was he who
gave Bhutan its first written laws, and
established a network of Dzongs, the imposing
fortress-monasteries from which the country was
governed.
Paro Valley
 Of all the places to visit in this fascinating
country, Paro stands unique both in beauty and
in history.
Bhutan's greatest saint, Padma Sambhava, better
known as Guru Rimpoche was the one who
originally introduced Buddhism into Bhutan. He
entered Bhutan through Paro.
Taktsang, or 'Tiger's Nest', is the monastery
built around the cave in which Guru Rimpoche,
and later his follower Dubthok Singye,
meditated. The monastery is precariously
situated on the edge of a sheer precipice, and a
visit there is a challenge.
Across the river Paro Chhu, stands the Rimpung
Dzong. Commanding a panoramic view of the entire
Valley, today it houses the Paro monastic body
and the offices of the Dzongda (district
commissioner) and Thrimpon (district judge).
The Thongdel, Bhutan's most sacred giant sized
scroll depicting the eight manifestations of
Guru Rimpoche with the two attendants, Khendu
Yesey Tsogyel and Khendu Mindha-Rawa, is
displayed for a few hours during the Paro Tsechu.
Behind Rimpung Dzong, is the majestic
castle-like Ta-Dzong. This one-time look-out
stronghold has been a National Museum since
1967.
Punakha
The Capital of Bhutan till 1955, Punakha is
still the seat of religion. In 1637, the
Shabdrung built the fortress of Punakha to serve
as both the religious and administrative centre
for Bhutan. In keeping with tradition, the daily
rituals, the serving of meals, are carried out
in the same manner as was done during the
Shabdrung's lifetim
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