PARO:
at
2250 m offers the calm of the countryside, beautiful landscape,
scenic villages and historic buildings. The valley is large and
places of interest are scattered several kilometres apart. 20
minutes drive to the end of the valley to Drukgyel Dzong offers
a magnificent view of Jomolhari (7,316 m) weather permitting.
The Dzong of the Victorious Drukpas, was built in the 1650s to
commemorate a victory over the Tibetan armies and to guard the
Paro Valley afainst further aggressions.
KYICHU
LHAKHANG:
a short distance south of the road is the temple said to have
been constructed in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It holds
down the left foot of an ogress that is so large that it covers
Bhutan and most of eastern Tibet.
TAKSHANG
MONASTERY:
perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of Paro Valley
is one of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries. The name means
'tiger's nest', it was named because Guru Rimpoche is said to
have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress.
He then meditated in a cave here three months. The only sounds
you can hear are the murmurs of wind and water and the chanting
of monks.
DRUGYEL
DZONG:
14 km from Paro , stands the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. This Dzong
was built in 1649 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in a location chosen
for its control of the route to Tibet. The building was used as
an administrative centre until 1951.
THIMPHU:
the capital of Bhutan lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a
hillside on the west bank of the Thimphu Chhu. It is at an altitude
of 2,320 m and its 53 km from Paro airport takes less than two
hours.
MEMORIAL
CHORTEN:
is a large Tibetan-style chorten was built in 1974 to honour the
memory of the third 1974 to honour the memory of the third King,
Jigme Dorji Wanngchuck. The memorial chorten is one of the most
visible religious structures in Thimphu.
SIMTOKHA
DZONG:
Officially known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Palace of the Profound
Meaning of Secreat Mantras), Simtokha Dzong was built in 1629
by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is believed to be the first Dzong
built in Bhutan. The site is said to have been chosen to guard
over a demon that had vanished into the rock nearby.
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DZONG:
was the second of Bhutan's dzongs. For many years, until the
time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government.
The Dzong is 180 m long and 72m wide and the utse is six storeys
high. The gold dome on the utse was built in 1676 by Punakha.
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TONGSA
DZONG:
the most impressive dzong in Bhutan was built at different periods
on a spur overlooking the Mangde River. It can be seen from a
great distance in its strategic position high above the Mangde
Chhu. It is one of the most aesthetic an dmagnificent works of
traditional Bhutanese architecture.
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