Are you wondering which are the most enchanting cities to visit in Bhutan? Do you want to visit and explore the fascinating cultures, temples, monasteries and stunning landscapes of Bhutan?
Bhutan, an incredibly beautiful travel destination in the world, offers you the chance to explore and experience several mesmerizing cities. You get to witness the perfect amalgamation of modernity and history in most of the Bhutanese cities. These cities showcase breathtaking mountains, sacred monasteries, amazing landscapes and inhabited by warm-welcoming people. With the blend of pleasant and cold temperature, the incredible cities of Bhutan offers joy, nature, tasty food, and diverse culture. You will indeed have unique cultural, culinary, and scenic experiences in Bhutan’s cities.
Here is a list of Bhutan’s seven beautiful cities.
Paro
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Paro is a beautiful Bhutanese city with a home to some of the oldest temples, and monasteries in Bhutan. Paro is the main entry and exit point of Bhutan which is located in a magnificent valley. It is the second-largest city in Bhutan with a district headquarters in it. With only 11,500 citizens and an average altitude of 2,195 meters, this great place is one of the most well-liked tourist sites in the nation, largely because of the abundance of temples and monasteries.
Paro is the main tourist hub destination in the country. The Taktsang monastery sometimes referred to as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is the most visited location in the area. The temple, which is located around 900 meters up a cliffside offers views of the Paro Valley about 10 km to the north of the city. The hike to the monastery is worth it for the stunning valley scene and the incredible caves where Padmasambhava is supposed to have meditated for more than three years.
Thimphu
Thimphu, the largest city in the country and the current capital of Bhutan, is located in the country’s middle west. On the western bank of the Wang Chhu, also known as the Raidk River, lies a Thimphu valley. It replaced the position of Punakha as the old capital in 1955. Thimphu is remarkable as a capital for not having its airport and instead depends upon the Paro International Airport, which is situated 54km away. Thimphu is the fourth highest capital city in the world at an elevation of 2,248 to 2,648meters.
In a zone that is only around 26 sq km in size, Thimphu—the political and economic hub of the kingdom—has a population of about 114,500. The Thimphu Valley, where the majority of the country’s craftspeople live, is the cultural hub of Bhutan. Though the city is expanding rapidly, it lacks a bustling nightlife.
Punakha
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This Bhutan city, the center of government for the Punakha District, operated as Bhutan’s capital before its handover to Thimphu in 1955. With barely 1,200 meters of elevation, the area experiences hot summers and pleasant winters, making it one of the most popular trekking locations in Bhutan.
The primary attraction in Punakha City is the Punakha Dzong, also known as the Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), which was originally built in 1637. The Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu, two significant rivers that flow through the region, are where the majority of the nation’s rice is grown. This region is also well known for producing the distinctive red rice that makes Bhutan so well-known.
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Wangdue Phodrang
Central Bhutan’s Wangdue Phodrang district dzong was established in 1638 and was given that name by the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche, Ngawang Namgyal when he saw a youngster playing by the river. The boy’s name, Wangdi, is reflected in the name of the dzong, which was constructed to prevent attacks from India.
The city is one of Bhutan’s best-known trekking destinations, with a population of only 9,000 people living at an elevation of about 1,270 meters. Three of the national parks in the kingdom valley provide environmental protection for the majority of the district. The Phobjikha Valley, one of the winter breeding areas for the endangered Black-necked Cranes that rest there throughout their yearly migrations, is the most famous site. The Gangtey Monastery, which is one of the most significant monasteries of the Nyingmapa School of Buddhism, is also located there.
Trongsa
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Trongsa Dzongkhag, often known as the “Vanguard of the Warriors,” is a city in central Bhutan with a spectacular view. The Dzong is an amazing spot that can be seen from any corner of the town. It is situated on a rocky hill with a spectacular view of the wide valleys that surround it. Before becoming the Royal Dynasty of Bhutan in 1907, the Wangchuck family had their traditional administrative headquarters in the town and dzong.
The dzong had long-standing authority over trade between east and west in Bhutan. One of the top destinations to go to learn about Bhutan’s history is the historic Trongsa Ta Dzong, which has been transformed over time into a museum devoted to the Wangchuck Dynasty.
Bumthang
Bumthang includes more temples and historic sites compared to any other cities in Bhutan, making it the most historic of all the dzongkhags in the kingdom. The entire dzongkhag is known as the Bumthang Valley. It is spread across the region of four mountain valleys in north-central Bhutan: Ura Valley, Chumey Valley, Tang Valley, and Choekhor Valley.
Bumthang, the religious center of Bhutan, is a region with an altitude range of 2,600 meters to roughly 4,500 meters. Pema Lingpa, the renowned Bhutanese saint next to only Padmasambhava in Bhutan, was also born in the valley. Bumthang, which is typically known as a “beautiful valley,” is believed to have emerged after the construction of the Jambay Lhakhang.
Phuentsholing
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The main highway entry point from the Indian State of West Bengal passes through the border city of Phuentsholing in southern Bhutan. This smallest but famous city, which is direct across the border from the Indian town of Jaigaon, stands as the Chukha Dzongkhag’s administrative center and enjoys a robust local economy. It is a relatively small town with a population of about 28,000 permanent residents, many of whom own or work in companies involved in Indian and foreign tourism.