Thimpu
 The capital city of Thimphu lies in the broad fertile valley of
the Wang Chu river at an altitude of 7,500 ft. Once a rustic
village, Thimphu today has a population of over 34,000 people.
At the entrance to the valley, seven kilometers from the
capital, on a breezy hill top rises Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's
most ancient fortress. Built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in
1627, it was the country's first official centre of social and
religious education. A striking example of the preservation of
ancient skill in Bhutan is Tashichho Dzong (" Fortress of the
Glorious Religion"), standing in the valley along side the river
bank, surrounded by groves of fresh young willows and poplars
and an ornamental garden of roses.
Another landmark that rises above the shingles and more recently
constructed green-weathered roofs of Thimphu, is the gold topped
Stupa built in memory of the Late King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck,
popularly known as the Father of modern Bhutan
Punakha
 The road from Simtokha winds into pine forests and through small
villages for 20 kilometers and then opens miraculously onto the
northern ridge of the mountains of the mountains. Dochula Pass
at 10,500 feet gives one of the most spectacular views of the
Himalayas.
Punakha Dzong is home to the Central Monk Body and the Je Khenpo
(the spiritual leader) during the winter months. Punakha's
climate and warm temperature makes the valley one of the most
fertile in Bhutan. 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 who has built a chorten on the site.
Punakha served as a capital of Bhutan till 1955. In spite of
four catastrophic fires and an earthquake that destroyed many
historical documents, Punakha Dzong houses sacred artifacts and
the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong is one
of the most spectacular dzongs in the country situated at the
confluence of two rivers.
Paro
 Paro Airport, the only airport in Bhutan is located in Paro.
This valley is one of the most populated areas in the country.
The valley contains a wealth of attractions and requires a few
days to be properly explored. The elegant and perfectly
symmetrical Rinpung Dzong looks after the religious and secular
activities in the valley. Behind Rinpung Dzong, on a high
hillside is the castle shaped Ta Dzong - a watch tower built in
1651 to defend Bhutan from Tibetan invasions. This Dzong houses
the National Museum since 1967.
Eighteen kilometers from the town is the burnt ruins of Drugyel
Dzong (victorious fortress) from where Tibetan invasions were
repelled. On a clear day one can get a view of Mount Chhomolhari
- the Mountain of Goddess (Alt 24,000ft). Paro is also a
paradise for pilgrimages as it is the first stop of Guru Padma
Sambhava also known as Guru Rimpoche on his crusade from Tibet
to Bhutan in the 8th century. He is believed to have arrived on
a back of a tigress and mediated at the Taktsang Monastery, now
a hallowed shrine for Bhutanese pilgrims. A terrible fire in
1998 destroyed the medieval wall paintings and all the inner
temples. The temple is now under reconstruction.
Bumthang
 The valleys of Trongsa and Bumthang are separated by Yutola Pass
(Alt 11,500ft) . Bumthang has an individuality that separates it
from all other regions. Composed of four smaller valleys, the
deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious
legend.
Apart from the Dzong at Jakar smaller monasteries are situated
all over the valley. Tales of Guru Padma Sambhava dominate these
holy shrines. The valley is home to the sacred Jampa and Kurjey
monasteries. Bumthang is also the traditional home to the great
Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa to whom, the present monarchy
traces it ancestral lineage. The town of Jakar is the largest
between Thimphu in the west and Trashigang in the east. Jakar is
famous for its honey, cheese, apples and apricots. Bumthang is
also famous for yathra which is a unique material woven from
coarse sheep wool, intricately designed and colored to form
breathtaking patterns. Bumthang Tsechu (festival) along with the
Paro and Thimphu Tsechu are the most popular festivals in
Bhutan.
Wangdue Phodrang
 This is the last town on the highway before entering Central
Bhutan. Sitting on the top of a hill the formidable Dzong is the
town's most visible features. In the 17th century Wangdue played
a critical role in unifying western, central and southern
Bhutan. The town itself is little more than an enlarged village
with well-provided shops and hotels.
The road from Wangdue to Trongsa is one of the prettiest in
Bhutan passing streams, forests and villages before climbing the
Pelela Pass on the Black Mountain ranges in to the Trongsa
valley. South of the highway is the Gangtey Gompa an old
monastery dating from the 17th century. A few kilometers past
the Gompa is the village of Phobjikha - one of the winter homes
of the Black Necked Cranes who migrate to Bhutan from Central
Asia to pass the winters in lower climes |
[January
25, 2009]
