Thimphu the Capital of Bhutan
Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, occupies a valley in the country’s western interior. In addition to being the government seat, the city is known for its Buddhist sites. The massive Tashichho Dzong is a fortified monastery and government palace with gold-leaf roofs. The Memorial Chorten, a whitewashed structure with a gold spire, is a revered Buddhist shrine dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Paro is a valley town in Bhutan, west of the capital, Thimphu. It is the site of the country’s only international airport and is also known for the many sacred sites in the area. North of town, Taktsang (The Tiger’s Nest) monastery on the cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Northwest remains of a defensive fortress, Drukgyel Dzong (17th century).
The Rinpung Dzong, another impressive fortress, is reached via a covered bridge across the Paro river. A former watchtower nearby houses the National Museum of Bhutan.
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The Druk Wangyal Khang Zhang Chortens are red-band or khangzang chortens, 108 in numbers, built in a central hillock at the pass, under the patronage of the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. In local language they are called gYul Las rNampar Gyal wai' chortens or chortens of victory. These were built as a memorial in honour of the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in the December 2003 battle against Assamese insurgents from India. It particularly marks the victory of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck who dislodged the rebels from their camps in Bhutanese territory from where they raiding Indian territory of Assam.
Highlight of Wangdi Phodrang is the beautiful Phobjikha Valley or “the valley of black necked cranes” . This valley is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from Tibet. This valley is one of the most beautiful and scenic ones in Bhutan.
On the slope overlooking the valley is the Gangtey monastery built in 17th century and is one of the oldest and biggest monastery of the Nyingma (red hat sect) school of Buddhism.