108 stupas
Dochula Pass
A ring of 108 white chortens at 3,100 m, with the black mountains of the Himalaya behind them....
See this place →Oldest temple · valley town
Paro Town & Kyichu Lhakhang
The valley that receives you: Bhutan’s only airport, an ancient temple in a field, and a town of shakha and red-choo walls.
CountryBhutan
RegionParo
Height2,200 m
Best timeYear-round; March blossom
Typical visitHalf day
What it is
Paro is a living valley town on the river of the same name, and Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples built for Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, still tended by its own village, still in use.
How we visit it
Kyichu is always the first stop on arrival — a 15 minute drive from the airport, and an easy half hour of circuits around the chapels — while the National Museum (Ta Dzong) and the old town lanes take the afternoon.
Before you go
Good to know
- Kyichu is one of the two oldest temples in Bhutan
- The museum tower gives the best view over Paro on a clear day
- On arrival day, keep the programme light: 20 km of road and altitude is enough
Bhutan Highlights
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108 stupas
Nyingma monastery above the valley
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