Explore Thimphu

Thimphu is unlike any other capital city in the world. If you come here expecting skyscrapers and gridlocked traffic, you’re in for a pleasant surprise! Instead, Bhutan’s capital is surrounded by terraced green fields, and traditionally designed architecture bestows a sense of timelessness and grace even upon its city centre. 

Thimphu thrives on the balance between tradition and modernity; you’ll encounter crimson-robed monks chatting on smartphones and teenagers in Western attire paying their respects at local temples. Take an afternoon stroll to discover shops selling handmade textiles and religious offerings—right next door to pizzerias and modern cafes. 

Many visitors quickly fall in love with these anomalies; they represent a true microcosm of Bhutanese society, poised between the old and the new.

While some of Bhutan’s most famous attractions lie outside the confines of Thimphu, you should resist the temptation to rush through this fascinating capital city. Lonely Bhutan Tours and Treks will take you beyond the usual tourist stops, bringing you closer to the people of Thimphu and their way of life. 

From ancient monasteries and lhakhangs to a multitude of hiking trails cutting across the region’s rolling hills, there are points of interest here for travelers interested in the spiritual and the secular alike. Nowhere else in the country serves as a better introduction to Bhutan, and partnering with Lonely Bhutan Tours and Treks will allow you to make the most of your time in the capital.

Elevation: 2,400 m

Attractions

Tashichhoedzong

This magnificent fortress is the beating heart of Thimphu, holding both its government and monastic bodies. Even the king’s own throne room is housed within its massive walls. Tashichhoedzong is also a cultural focal point of the city, hosting the annual Thimphu Tsechu and attracting visitors throughout the year. 

Both tourists and locals are drawn to the northern assembly hall, which contains a large statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha. Tashichhoedzong may also be the best example of traditional Bhutanese architecture in the entire capital. Its white walls, large central tower, and many murals and mandalas maintain a sense of majesty and grandeur that lingers with each visitor long after they’ve departed the fortress itself.

Memorial Chorten 

The Tibetan-style stupa was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and is dedicated to World Peace. Visitors will find elderly Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day.It’s a good opportunity for taking authentic picture of Bhutanese people.

Buddha Dordenma

This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley.

Takin Preserve
Takin Preserve, located in the Motithang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals.

Museums and History

The capital is home to some of the most fascinating and unique historical establishments in the country. Visit the National Textile Museum to learn about Bhutan’s rich tradition of thagzo, or weaving. The museum even trains weavers who are now learning this timeless art. 

Additional traditional skills are taught at Thimphu’s National Institute of Zorig Chusum. Students here learn the 13 traditional crafts of Bhutan, which include calligraphy, thangka painting, and embroidery, among others. But Bhutan’s most unexpected museum comes in the form of the General Post Office and Postal Museum, where you’ll find a comprehensive collection of Bhutan’s colorful stamps. 

You’ll even have the chance to use a photo of yourself to create a customized, one-of-a-kind stamp.