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Thrumsingla
National Park/Garden, Park & Nature Reserve/state, Central
Bhutan/ State-Bhumthang Valley:
This park stretches over 768 km. It is the second major
temperate reserve in Bhutan, and contains spectacular scenic
views and beautiful forests from alpine to subtropical
broadleaf and chirpine.
There is an abundant wildlife trail stretching from the Ura
valley down to the Bumthang valley. The Rodungla Trek passes
through this park.
Trongsa,/Ethnic Districts/Located Central Bhutan / State
- Domsela:
Trongsa, a four-hour drive from Wangdue Phodrang, offers
a welcome rest to travelers. Like almost all towns in
Bhutan, the dzong, dominates the valley, dwarfing the
surrounding buildings. About five miles before Trongsa, the
road winds around a cliff and takes a sharp turn to the
left. The view is one of the most beautiful sights, and one
of which you will never tire. Sited on the contour of a
ridge stands the multi-level Trongsa Dzong, built in 1648.
It is at least another 20 minute drive from the first
look-out of the town and dzong before you arrive in Trongsa
proper. Trongsa is the ancestral home of the Royal Family
and the dzong acted as a defensive fortress attacking
enemies. The Crown Prince of Bhutan traditionally becomes
the Penlop or Governor of Trongsa before being crowned King.
Trongsa Dzong is impregnable. The dzong itself is a
labyrinth of temples, corridors and offices holding court
over the local community. It is built on many levels into
the sides of the hill, and can be seen from every approach
to Trongsa heralding its strength as a defensive stronghold.
Ta Dzong, or watchtower, which once guarded the dzong from
internal rebellion, stands impressively above the dzong and
provides the visitor with more insight into the historical
significance of Trongsa in Bhutan's history.
Trongsa is one of the quaintest of all Bhutanese towns. The
town's vista is traditional in appearance, with wooden
slatted houses lined up together on the side of the hill.
The local population weaves its own textiles from hand-dyed
wool. Trongsa is a good shopping stop on your journey to the
east of the country.
Paro Dzong/ Landmark and Memorials/Located Central
Bhutan/ State- Domsela:
Paro Dzong was built on an existing foundation in 1646. It
has been destroyed numerous times by fire and eartquakes.
One thing that survived these natural calamities was the
great Thangka (Scroll), which is displayed once a year for
only a few hours during the Paro Tsechu (festival).
Today the dzong houses the administration offices of the
local government and the local monastic body. It also became
known internationally, when film director Bertollucci shot
his first scenes from "The Little Buddha" in this fort.
Traditional House/Ethnic District/ Located Central Bhutan
/ State - Khotokha:
The house represents a traditional Bhutanese house. All
Bhutanese houses are constructed using natural raw
materials. Concrete is now being used in the cities but 80 %
of the population still follow the ancient methods. It is
suprising to note that not a single nail is used in the
construction of these houses. Free labour is provided by the
community during the construction and the host has to
provide only meals and beverages.
Black Mountain National Park/Garden, Parks & Nature
Reserves/ Located Central Bhutan / State - Punakha:
Stretching over 1,400 sq km, this reserve covers a wide
range of habitat types from the permanent ice peaks of the
Dorsingla Pass(alt. 4,925m) and alpine lakes, to pasture and
conifer and broad leaf forests.
This reserve constitutes the largest and richest temperate
forest nature reserve in the Himalayas. The Gangtey Winter
Trek passes through this region.
Traditional Painting School/Animal, Bird & Aquatic Life/
Located Central Bhutan/ State- Punakha:
Old age style of Bhutanese painting, including "thanagkha"
paintings and other venerable painting are taught by
skillful monks and are displayed here as well.
Taktsang Lhakhang or the Tiger's Nest/
Taktsang Lhakhang or the Tiger's Nest in Central Bhutan
This monastery is one of the most sacred pilgrim sites for
every Bhutanese, it's build atop a cliff, overlooking the
Paro Valley. Most unfortunately early in 1998, the monastery
suffered a fire. However, the pelpbug, or the holy cave, in
which Guru Rinpoche meditated was found intact and safe. The
reconstruction of the monastery to its original magnificence
is already in process. It's definitely a worth walking or
pony ride up to the viewpoint. Enjoy local cuisines at the
delightful cafeteria situated at a wonderful vantage point
below the monastery. Kindly note, there is no pony ride
down, one would have to walk down from the viewpoint.
Kurjey Lhakhang/Animal, bird & aquatic life/ / Located
Central Bhutan/ State- Punakha:
Kurjey Lhakhang in Central Bhutan/Animal, bird & aquatic
life/ State- Punakha:
Views of Trongsa valley on the ascent are superb. It
comprises of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual
region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. A number
of small monasteries can be found throughout the hills. The
valley is home to the sacred Jambay and Kurjey Lhakhangs.
Kurjey Lhakhangs is one of several monasteries in Bumthang.
At Kurjey, bodily marks of Guru Rinpoche are impressed upon
a rock. Bumthang valley is host to spectacular religious
festivals in October and November.
The Jigme Dorji National Park/Animal, bird & aquatic
life/ Located Central Bhutan/ State- Punakha:
This park stretches over 4,200 sq km including the western
end of the former wildlife sanctuary. The border has been
brought considerably further south both to increase the
range of habitats from conifer forest to upper broadleaf
formations, and to include in most of the wild animals,
which migrate to lower altitudes during winter.
Endangered species such as takin, snow leopard, blue ship
and pheasants can be found within the park. The area
protects some of the most spectacular scenic locations in
Bhutan including great glacier, deep alpine lakes and the
highest peaks in the kingdom.
Many of the most popular trekking routes pass through this
park including the Jhomolhari, Beautiful Laya/Gasa, Sinchula,
Druk Path and the Lunana Showman Treks.
Chamkhar Town (Bumthang)/Ethnic Districts / Located
Central Bhutan / State-Thimphu:
This small quiet town is situated in central Bhutan. It
is the capital of the Bumthang province. This valley also
houses the largest number of temples and meditation centres
in Bhutan. It takes almost nine hours to reach this valley
from the capital city (Thimphu).
Chamkhar Valley/Ethnic Districts/Located Central Bhutan /
State-Thimphu:
This is another view of Chamkhar valley in Bumthang, Central
Bhutan.
Rinpung Dzong/Landmarks & Momerials/ Located Western
Bhutan / State - Paro:
Rinpung Dzong which means 'Fortress of the Heap of Jewels',
is one of the oldest and most celebrated dzongs in Bhutan.
Apart from commanding a slightly elevated strategic point
overlooking the longest strecth of the Paro valley, Rinpung
Dzong is symbollic as the religous and secular centre of all
affairs in the valley. It is also an architectural wonder,
setting the tone for official dzongs throughout the kingdom
and inviting the visitor to wonder at the cultural strength
of the kigdom's heritage. The dzong was built in the 15th
century and was finally consecrated in 1646. Above the dzong
is the old watch tower which has been converted to the
national museum.
The museum's collections include ancient Bhutanese arts,
artefacts, weapons, stamps, birds and animals. This is
typical of the eclectic beauty of Bhutan-its prized objects
bear little relation to each other but as a whole stand
together as the history of one of the world's most pristine
people.
Tashichho Dzong/Landmark & Momerials/ Located Western
Bhutan / State- Thimphu:
Tashichho dzong is Bhutan's most stately and arguably
the most impressive building. It houses the throne room of
His Majesty the King of Bhutan and is the summer residence
of the venerated monastic community. The current dzong is
the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval
structure sanctioned by the Third King, His Majesty King
Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, when he moved the capital to Thimpu
from Punakha.
National Library/Museum/ Located Western Bhutan/ State-Thimphu:
It houses a vast collection of books and research
documents of Buddhist studies.
The Memorial Chorten/Landmarks/Located Western Bhutan/
State-Thimphu:
An important memorial in Thimphu, built in memory of His
Majesty, The Third King of Bhutan.
Thimphu's Central Post Office/ Museum/ Western Bhutan /
Thimphu:
Another pride of Bhutan, it houses multifaries
collection of stamps and are best seen in commemorative
books that can be found inside Thimphu's Central Post
Office.
Punakha Dzong/Place of Worship/ Central Bhutan/Thimphu:
Punakha Dzong hosts Thimphu's monk community during the
winter months. It was strategically built at the con-fluence
of the Pho Chlu (Male River)and the Mo Chhu (Female River)
by the first Shabdrung of Bhutan and Ngawang Namgyal, in
1637. The dzong has been destroyed by four fires and an
earthquake in 1807, and has been frequently devastated by
floodwater coming from the great northern glaciers. The
dzong has now been fully restored to its original spendour.
In 1993, the largest thongdrel, a religious embroidery
composed entirely of applique on silk brocade, that has ever
been created was dedicated to the dzong and the people of
Punakha by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the
Je Khenpo at a three-day consecration ceremony. |
