The capital city of Thimphu lies in the broad fertile valley of the Wang Chu (river) at an altitude of 7,500 ft. Once a rustic village, Thimphu now has a population of over 34,000 people. The entrance to Thimphu is across a bridge called the Lungtenzampa, which means “ the Bridge of Prophecy”. It is believed that, Phajo Drugom Zhigpo (the founder of the Drukpa Kagyupa sect in Bhutan) had a vision that he would find his consort in this valley. When he arrived in search of her, he found her on the opposite side of a river. They both walked along the banks until they met at the only bridge across the river. Since that time the bridge came to be known as the Lungtenzampa.

A lama known as; Gyalwa Lhanangpa built Dohon Dzong (meaning blue stone dzong) in1216 on a hill just above Thimphu valley. It was later renamed, Trashi Chhoe Dzong (meaning Fortress of the Glorious Religion), by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong houses the Throne Room and the offices of the King, the Ministries of Finance and Home Affairs. It also houses the offices and residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbott) and Central Monk Body. The Trashi Chhoe Dzong is unusual in one particular aspect- it has two main entrances. The first leads to the administrative section and the second leads to the monastic quarters.

The SAARC building was built across the river from Trashi Chhoe Dzong in 1991.This building now accommodates the Planning and Foreign Ministries. The National Assembly has also been relocated to this venue since 1993.

The Memorial Chorten is an impressive monument with its golden spires shining in the sun, its bells tinkling in the wind and an endless procession of elderly people circling around it. The Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 in memory of the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. There are no mortal remains of the King inside the Chorten. There is only a photograph draped in ceremonial scarves on the ground floor. The ceilings of the small porches that grace all four sides of the Chorten are painted on the south with the mandala of the Buddha Ratnasambhava, on the west with that of Hayagriya, on the north with the mandala of Phurba and on the east with that of Vajrasattava. The Memorial Chorten is an excellent introduction to Trantic Buddhism.

Changangkha Lhakhang is a fortress-like temple and a monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lam Phajo Drugom Zhigpo. The central statue is that of Chenrezig in a manifestation with 11 heads.

The National Library is situated just beside of the golf course. It was established in 1967 and contains many ancient texts. There is a particular section of the library in which books and prayer flags are printed. There is also a section containing English books and one containing bound volumes of the Kuensel (the National newspaper).
The School of Arts and Craft is also found in Thimphu. It is a painting school that is under the administration of the National Technical Training Institute. Boys from all over the country who are more interested in arts than in academics can enrol in an eight- year course, which teaches them the traditional Bhutanese art form. Tourists are allowed to visit the school and take a peek at the classes the boys attend. There is also a small shop at the school that sells the students’ work.

The Royal Academy of Performing Arts was established in 1967 to provide formal training to mask dancers who perform during the various Tsechus. If given advance notice, they will perform for tourists who wish to see the various dances.

The National Institute of Traditional Medicine, established in 1988, is also situated in the Capital. Tourists are permitted to visit the Institute and be examined by one of the Bhutanese Dungsos (doctors).

The Changlimithang ground is famous for its archery matches. This is the same ground where numerous battles were fought which finally led to Coronation of our first King, Ugyen Wangchuck. It is currently also used as a football stadium and is the headquarters of the Bhutan Olympic Committee. It also contains a few basketball, tennis and squash courts.

The weekend market is close by; where villagers from all over the country come to the capital to sell their goods.

Drubthob Goemba is also located in Thimphu. This is one of the few nunneries in Bhutan. It is now known as the Zilukha Nunnery.

Dechen Phodrang is the valley’s monastic school. It was once the site for the original Trashi Chhoe Dzong.

The Dechenchholing Palace is north of the Dzong and just below the Royal Body Guard Headquarters. It was established in 1952 and is now the residence of the Queen Mother.

Pangri Zampa Temple is just above Dechenchholing. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal had a vision of this temple, which eventually directed him to Bhutan (from Tibet). The Shabdrung resided in this temple during his early stay in Bhutan.

Tango Goemba is situated approximately 12km from Thimphu. The climb up to the Goemba is 280m and takes about half an hour if you take the short cut, which is much steeper, and about an hour if you take the longer route. It was founded by, Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa sometime in the 12th century. The present goemba was built by, Lama Drukpa Kunley. Lama Drukpa Kunley is also known as ‘The Divine Madman’. He was born in Tibet and educated at the Ralung Monastery. He travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet using songs, humour and other outrageous practices to teach his beliefs and to liven the interests of his followers. He is believed to have created Bhutan’s National Animal, the Takin, by combining the head of a goat with the body of a cow. The Shabdrung also spent much of his time meditating in a cave near the goemba. His meditations helped keep Bhutan safe from the force of the invading Tibetan armies.

Beyond Tango Goemba, is the Chari Goemba, which was built in1620 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is about one and a half hours walk from Tango. It was the first residence of the monk body in Thimphu. The ashes of the Shabdrung’ s father are held in a silver Chorten inside the goemba.

Simtokha Dzong is about 5km south if Thimphu town. This dzong was built in, 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is also known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang, meaning ‘Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras’. The site of this dzong was chosen to guard the valley form a demoness that had disappeared into a rock nearby. This explains the name of the dzong; as ‘Simmo’ means demoness and ‘Do’ means stone. This was the first dzong built by the Shabdrung and is the oldest dzong to have maintained it’s original structure. In 1961 it became a school for both religious and classical studies for monks as well as laymen.

Thimphu’s main shopping street is a delight not so much for what you can buy there, but for the picturesqueness of the architecture and national costume. Beautiful weaves in wool, silk and cotton, basket ware, silver jewellery, thangkhas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various handicrafts emporiums.

You may also like to visit the newly established Folk Heritage Museum and the Textile Museum.