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 →Capital of Bhutan
Thimphu & Buddha Dordenma
The world’s least capital-like capital: no traffic lights, one main street, and a 51 m Buddha over the roof-tops.
CountryBhutan
RegionThimphu
Height2,320 m
Best timeYear-round
Typical visit2 nights
What it is
Thimphu is where the government, the weaving schools and the Friday market live, all in a valley where the buildings still follow the driglam namzha and the paint rules. Above it at kuendrabiling sits the Dordenma, a 51 m seated Buddha facing the valley.
How we visit it
The National Memorial Chorten at prayer time, the handloom and paper factories, the market on a Friday, the view from the Dordenma, and the Saturday evening in the archery and food streets.
Before you go
Good to know
- Friday and Saturday are the market and the crowd days
- The city has 3 km of one road out of the valley: expect a quiet, slow evening
- The National Textile Museum is small and the best thing here
Bhutan Highlights
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