Bumthang
Bumthang (Elevation 2,700m) is often described as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom. There are numerous monasteries and spiritual sites in this charming valley where history and mythology help to bring alive much of Bhutan’s culture and traditions. Bumthang is a picturesque valley of beautiful houses, and fields of buckwheat, barley and apples.
A strong sense of spirituality pervades the atmosphere and, at auspicious times of the year, the valley resounds with the chants of the spiritual community as temples all over offer prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings.
Some of the well-known temples include Kurjey Lhakhang (associated with Guru Rinpoche, who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet), Jampey Lhakhang (dating from the 8th century) and the historic Jakar Dzong.
Bumthang’s tsechus are well-known and even its small local festivals are a privilege to attend to catch an insight of the culture and spirit of Bhutan.
For those with enough time on their hands, venture into eastern Bhutan for something quite different. This is the land of the Sharchops who speak their own language and nurture their own culture and weave beautiful textiles
Chukha
Phuentsholing, under the Chukha Dzongkhag is located at an elevation of 1,829m. Phuentsholing lies to the southwest of Bhutan. It is a bustling industrial town that is the southern gateway to India.
It’s the drive from Phuentsholing to Thimphu that makes the journey from the south worthwhile as the highway takes you on a slow journey from the tropical plains through changing vegetation up to the higher altitudes of the Himalayan kingdom.
Dagana
Legend has it that the people of Dagana were a lawless bunch in the 17th century, and that the Shabdrung had to send in soldiers to gain control over the dzongkha.Dagana Dzongkhag is one of the remotest Dzongkhags in the country. Dagana Dzongkhag comprises of Daga Lingsum and Daga Lungsum. The Lingsum are Peling (Tseza Geog), Lhaling (Kana Geog) and Dhaling (Kana Geog), And Daga Lungsum are Tasha (Lajab Geog), Dagana and Getana (now under Chukha Dzongkhag).The total area of Dagana Dzongkhag is approximately 1389 km2. It lies between 26 Degrees 50 minutes North to 27 Degrees 17 minutes North and 89 degrees 41 minutes East to 90 Degrees 5 minutes east approximately. It shares its borders with Thimphu and Chukha Dzongkhag to the west, Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag to the north, Tsirang Dzongkhag to the east and Sarpang Dzongkhag to the south. The elevation ranges from 600 m to over 3800 m above sea level. The Dzongkhag falls within the Temperate Zone in the north and sub-tropical in south with hot and wet summers and cool and dry winters.About 79% of the total area in the Dzongkhag are under forest cover with tree species like Champ, Arguray, Chirpine and Sal, etc.
Gasa
It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High Himalayas.It is the least developed of all the dzongkhags and has a population of just over 3500 although it has become a hot tourist destination because of its pristine forests and notably, the hot springs. The high altitude makes farming difficult, although government programs seek to establish mustard and summer vegetable planting programs. Residents herd yaks and dzos, and a small number benefit from the nascient tourism industry. More recently a small feeder road is being constructed and it shall be completed by the end of 2007. Electricity is also being supplied to some of the geogs and all electrification programmes is expected to be complete by 2012.Gasa is most famous for its Layap people, and for the Snowman Trek, one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas. Gasa is bordered by Tibet to the north and by Thimphu, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhags to the south.
Haa
The high altitude Haa valley lies south of the Paro valley. The staple crops of this large, fertile valley are wheat, potatoes, barley and millet. Yaks are herded in the upper reaches of the valley, and yak meat from Haa is considered a great delicacy by the townspeople of Thimphu. A day trip to Haa with picnic lunch by the river near new Haa Dzong is very pleasant in the warmer months of the year, when one can drive from Paro to Haa over the Chele-la pass (3,810m/12,573ft). On a clear day there is a superb view of Mts. Jhomolhari & Jichu Drake from the pass.
Lhuentse
It consists of 2506 households. Located in the northeast, Lhuntse is one of the least developed dzhongkhags of Bhutan. There are few roads, the first gas station was opened as recently as September 2005, electricity is not well distributed and the difficult terrain makes distribution of social welfare difficult. Despite its favourable climate, farming is also hindered by the difficult infrastructure.Lhuentse is 77 km. from Mongar (3 hours’ drive) and is one of the most isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular, with stark cliffs towering above river gorges and dense coniferous forests. The region is famous for its weavers, and their distinctive textiles are generally considered to be the best in the country. The Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is the ancestral home of the monarchy.
Mongar
Mongar is the fastest developing Dzongkhag in eastern Bhutan. Mongar is noted with its lemon grass,a plant that can be used to produce an essential oil.It also has a hydropower plant on the Kuri Chhu.Mongar Dzong, Although built in the 1930s and one of Bhutan’s newest dzongs, it is constructed in the same way as all earlier Dzongs, without plans or nails. A visit to Mongar Dzong shows one how traditional Bhutanese architecture has continued to thrive through the centuries.
Paro
The broad Paro valley is the entry point for all visitors flying into Bhutan on the national carrier, Druk Air. As the plane takes a dramatic sweep into Paro, the flight captain usually warns relieved passengers not to worry if the aircraft’s wings appear to be almost touching the mountainsides. Paro lies at an elevation of 2,280m.
Places to visit include the Paro Dzong, the National Museum housed in a round fortress called the Ta Dzong, and the ruins of the Drugyal Dzong, a 17th century fortress that used to keep invading Tibetan forces at bay, destroyed in fire in 1951.
The Tiger’s Nest or the Taktshang is one of the most popular spiritual heritage sites, perched precariously on the rock face of a sheer cliff 2950m above the ground. It is a short climb of 1.5 hours to 2 hours to the top. For those less inclined to climbing, you can catch a good bird’s eye view from the bottom of the monastery.
Pema Gatshel
Pemagatshel is located in the south east of Bhutan with an area of 517.8 sq.km and has a total of 2,547 households. The dzongkhag is characterized by highly dissected mountain ranges, steep slopes and narrow valleys with little flat land. The elevation in the dzongkhag ranges from 1,000 meters to 3,500 meters above the sea level. The dzongkhag experiences an average annual rainfall of 1500 mm to 3000 mm.The dzongkhag is administratively divided into seven gewogs namely, Chhimung, Chongshing Borang, Dungme, Khar, Shumar, Yurung and Zobel. Rugged terrain and scattered settlements make the delivery of services in the dzongkhag both difficult as well as expensive.
Punakha
Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan and lies at an elevation of 1,220m. It takes approximately 2 1/4 hours drive from Thimphu across Dochu-la pass (3116m). Once you cross the pass, you wind down into a warm fertile valley and meander along a gently flowing aquamarine river that leads you to the Punakha Dzong.
Built in 1637, the Dzong is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The Dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.
Punakha is a sub-tropical valley where food grains, vegetables and fruits grow in abundance.
A short drive up the valley is the Khamsum Yulley Chorten (stupa), constructed in 1992, as one of three such chortens in the world, one being the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.
Samdrup Jongkhar
The Dzongkhag has eight Community Schools, seven Primary Schools, six Junior High Schools and one High School with a total of students of 6,995 as of December 2001.Samdrup Jongkhar is the gateway to and commercial hub for five Eastern dzongkhags. The dzongkhag’s potential is further enhanced by the commissioning of Kurichu hydropower. Availability of reliable hydropower combined with modern Telecom facilities will change the development landscape of the dzongkhag by offering tremendous opportunities for household, business and industries. Lack of adequate road network also has direct impact on socio-economic development and quality of lives of the people in the dzongkhag.
Samtse
Historically, Samstse was sparsely populated as the mountain-dwelling Bhutanese considered the low-lying district to be prone to tropical disease. During the early 20th century the district experienced a large influx of Nepalese who were invited to the area to assist in forest-clearing. Overall the district population has recently been increasing, and there presently is a housing shortage in Samtse as reported by Kuensel.Samste is home to the Lhopu people, a little-studied ethnic group of approximately 1000 persons. The Bhutanese believe them to be the aboriginals who predated the Tibetan migration from the north. The Lhopus are noted for their animistic religious beliefs, their practice of marrying cross-cousins, and their unique burial customs.
Sarpang
The Sarpang Dzongkhag is situated in the central southern foothills bordering India. The area of the dzongkhag stretches from Lhamoy Zingkha in the west to Manas National Park in the east. It encompasses a total gewographical area of approximately 2288 km2 (Source- LUPP). Its topographic features have undulated terrain with an elevation ranging from 200m to 3600 m above mean sea level.The Dzongkhag is administratively divided into two Drungkhags viz. Gelephu and Lhamoy Zingkha, and consists of 15 gewogs. Five gewogs, namely Hilley, Dekiling, Senghe, Doban and Sarpangtar are under the jurisdiction of Dzongkhag headquarter. Seven gewogs namely Gelephu, Chhuzagang, Umling, Serzhong, Taklai, Jigmechhoeling and Bhur are under Gelephu Drungkhag while Lhamoy Zingkha, Deorali and Nichula gewogs are under Lhamoy Zingkha Drungkhag. The dzongkhag has 186 villages with 4395 households.
Thimphu
This is the capital of Bhutan with a population of approximately 100,000 people. It lies at an elevation of 2,320m. Thimphu became the capital in 1961 and the town is the largest in Bhutan. It is about 1.5 hour from the airport in Paro. As you enter the valley you drive on Bhutan’s first four-lane expressway which takes you right into the heart of town, over two dramatic flyover bridges.
Places to visit in Thimphu include the Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum, the Trashichho Dzong, the National Memorial Chorten (a stupa dedicated to the third king of Bhutan), and the Centenary Farmer’s Market – a colorful market full of local produce and handicrafts. Buddhists can visit numerous monasteries around the valley as well as a vibrant nunnery.
The district of Thimphu, however, stretches beyond the town and goes past Dochu-la, the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan. The 108 Druk Wangyal chortens and the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colourful prayer flags provide a scenic view. On a clear day, you can see a panorama of the Himalayan mountain range.
Trashigang
Trashigang lies in the far east of Bhutan, and is the country’s largest district. Trashigang town, on the hillside above the Gamri Chu (river), was once the center for a busy trade with Tibet. Today it is the junction of the east-west highway, with road connections to Samdrup Jongkhar and then into the Indian state of Assam. This town is also the principle market place for the semi-nomadic people of Merak and Sakteng, whose way of dress is unique in Bhutan.
Trasi Yangtse
Trasi Yangtse is the administrative center for this district. Situated in a small river valley, it is a lovely spot from which to take walks in the surrounding countryside. The Dzong overlooking the town was built in the late 1990s when the new district was created. Trashiyangtse is famous for its wooden containers and bowls, which make inexpensive, attractive and useful mementos of a visit to this remote region. The Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students study the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, is also worth a visit.
Trongsa
About four hours’ drive from Wangduephodrang is the central district of Trongsa, at an elevation of 2000 m. It is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family and from where the first two kings ruled the kingdom.
Long before you reach it, you see the resplendent Trongsa Dzong in the valley centre. Its labyrinth of temples, corridors, offices and living quarters for the monks add up to a masterpiece in Bhutanese architecture preserved through professional restoration in 2004.
Trongsa is a convenient place to halt for the night if you are travelling to the east or the south of Bhutan. The Trongsa Tsechu (festival) usually falls between late November and mid-December.
Tsirang
Tsirang Dzongkhag is administratively divided into 12 Gewogs namely Barshong, Beteni, Dunglagang, Gosarling, Kikhorthang, Mendrelgang, Patala,Phuntenchu, Rangthangling, Semjong, Tsholingkhar and Tsirangtoe. Changchey which is located under Gosarling Gewog is the satellite town andMendrelgand which is located under Mendrelgang gewogs is also one of satellite town. Damphu which is located in Kikhorthang Gewog is the main town and the administration center. Under 12 Gewogs there are 96 villages and 65 chiwogs. Each chiwog has one Tshokpa and one chipon.The Dzongkhag has good development potential. Favorable as well as diverse agro-ecological features provide the Dzongkhag with potential for the cultivation of many different types of cereals as well as horticulture crops. Paddy, Maize and Millet are the major cereal crops grown while orange, cardamom and vegetables are the principal cash crops. Mandarin constitutes an important source of cash income for most of the farmers. Livestock rearing is also an important economic activity contributing to both subsistence consumption and income generation although livestock productivity is limited due to the dominance of local livestock population.
Wangdue Phodrang
Wangdue Phodrang is district of Bhutan. Wangdue is the second largest district in Bhutan, comprising of 15 vast and diverse geogs. They are Athang, Bjena , Daga, Dangchu, Gangtey, Gasetshog Gom, Gasetshog Wom, Kazhi, Nahi, Nyisho, Phangyul, Phobjikha, Rubeisa, Sephu & Thedtsho. Food security and rural access is the most obtainable in Thedtsho geog (were the present town and the developing Bajo town are located). They are the least accessible and found lacking in Athang (the most remote geog). This is also the name of the Dzong, which was built in 1638. The name is said to have been given by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who was searching for the best location to build the Dzong to prevent incursions from the south. At the chosen spot the Shabdrung encountered a boy named Wangdi playing beside the river and hence named the Dzong “Wangdi’s Palace”. It is located on top of a high ridge between the Puna Tsang Chu and the Dangchu, offering a spectacular view.
Zhemgang
Starting in the 1990s, Assamese separtists maintained guerilla bases in the forests of southern Zhemgang from which they would launch attacks on targets in India and then return across the border. In late 2003 the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck led a military operation which largely swept the guerillas out of the region. Because of the risk of attack, foreign tourists are not yet allowed to visit Zhemgang.It is a three-storied Lhakhang, which was, constructed with, among others, financial contribution from His Majesty the King and His Holiness the 70th Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choeda, who once headed the Zangtopelri. The lhakhang’s story begins in the early 1960s when Lam Yeshey Pema Thinley built a small monastry in Tali and established its first dratshang.At that time it had student strength of only 30 monks. Other renowned Buddhist teachers such as Penlopkhen Rinpoche, who came to teach and bless the student in 1967, visited the monastry. Later a winter resident was added for the Tali dratshang in Geleph
