Amid a patchwork of rice paddies, wheat field, trout filled streams and scattered settlements lies the lush green, historic Paro valley where the Paro Chu flows from the watershed in the Jumolhari range.

The first glimpse you’ll have of Paro will probably be through the windows of our national airline Druk Air. During your flight, you will fly over the Himalayan range, providing you with a birds eye view of eight of the highest mountain peaks in the world; including Mount Everest (the highest mountain peak in the world). Paro Airport is about 7 km from Paro town and 53 km from Thimphu.

The town of Paro spans about 2280m and lies at the centre of the valley. The new town centre was built in 1985 and has numerous shops and restaurants for your varying needs.

There is an archery field not far from the town square and if you are lucky, you might witness an archery game in action. The Teachers Training Centre is located in this valley. It is one of the two teacher training institutes in the country (The other is in Samtse, which is in the south-west of Bhutan).

Paro Dzong is the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. It is also known as Rinpung Dzong; which means “ Fortress on a Heap of Jewels”. This Dzong was built in1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and was used to defend Paro valley from invasions by Tibet. The Dzong survived an earthquake in 1897 and was severely damaged by a fire in 1907, but was rebuilt the following year. Many scenes from the 1995 film Little Buddha were filmed in the Paro Dzong. Every year a Tsechu is held at this Dzong in honour of Guru Rinpoche. An enormous Guru Thangkha, one of the prized possessions of the Monastery, is displayed from the wall of the temple court on the last day for a few hours and must be rolled up before the first rays of the sun hit it. It is believed that if you are able to cast your eyes upon this painting, all your sins for the past year will be washed away and you will be forgiven for your mistakes. There are also numerous religious dances performed during this time.

On a ridge, immediately above the Paro Dzong, is the small, circular Ta Dzong; which was once the watchtower of the valley. It was built in 1656 and has since been renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum. This Museum houses ancient Bhutanese treasures and artefacts, as well as a collection of Bhutan’s exquisite and world-renowned postage stamps. It is open to tourists although photography is strictly prohibited. As you wander through this Museum you will find a doorway that leads to the Tshogshing Lhakhang, the Temple of the Tree of Wisdom, which was built between 1965 and 1968.

The significance of this temple is the fact that it contains a four-sided carving depicting the history of Buddhism and its propagation. There is said to be an underground tunnel that leads from the watchtower to the water supply below.

Ugyen Pelri Palace is found on the south side of the river, to the west of the dzong. This Palace was built by Paro Penlop Tshering Penjor in the early 1900s.It was designed after Guru Rinpoche’s celestial paradise, Zangto Pelri. It is now a residence of the Queen Mother.

One of the oldest Lhakhangs in the country is also situated in this valley. King Songtsen Gyampo of Tibet built Kyichu Lhakhang in 659. There is legend behind the building of this Lhakhang that is still told today .It is said that when the Tibetan King Songtsen Gyampo married his bride, Wencheng, in 641 a statue called Jowo (which was part of the dowry) got stuck in the mud and could not be moved while being transported to Lhasa. It became evident that this was the work of a powerful demoness. The King built 108 temples in a single day to pin down the demoness and prevent her from causing further harm. Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples built by Songtsen Gyampo and is said to hold down the left foot of the demoness.

Taktsang Monastery is the most famous of Bhutan’s many monasteries. Taktsang literally means – Tiger’s nest. This monastery was built in the 1600s and clings to a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900m above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, in the form of Dorji Droloe arrived at this site on the back of a flying tigress to subdue the eight evil spirits who were preventing the propagation of Buddhism in that area. An accidental fire destroyed the monastery in 1998; but many of the precious relics and treasures were retrieved from the ruins. It has recently been rebuilt in its original form. It is a pleasant two-hour walk up to Taktsang-you may like to have lunch at the Taktsang Jakhang, which is a small cafeteria on the way to Taktsang Monastery.

Drukgyel Dzong is located about 16 km away from the town. This dzong was built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate Bhutan’s numerous victories over Tibetan invaders. The dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and is now left in ruins. On a clear day there is a spectacular view of the Jhomolhari mountain from this location.

An iron bridge builder called, Thangthong Gyalpo, built Dungtse Lhakhang in the 1400s. Thangthong Gyalpo came to Bhutan in search of iron ore and built eight bridges in various parts of the country. His descendants can be found at Tamchhog Goemba in Paro.

Druk Choeding is the town temple and is also known as Tshongdoe Naktshang. Ngawang Choegyal built it in 1525. Chhoeten Lhakhang is a Chorten situated at the centre of town. The caretakers of these temples might allow you to visit the inside chapels.

A high ridge separates the Paro from the Haa valley. A road crosses this ridge through Chele la at 3780m. It is a beautiful picnic spot. The Blue Poppy, Bhutan’s National Flower, can be found growing there during the Monsoon.