The valley of Wangdue Phodrang is situated at the junction of the Mo Chu and the Tang Chu. This valley is also called ‘Windy’ Phodrang by the locals; because of the extreme gusts of wind that are characteristic of this region. Wangdue Phodrang is one of the most prominent valleys in the history of Bhutan as it was once Bhutan’s secondary capital. The Wangdue Phodrang Penlop was indeed one of the most significant figures in the country.

The Wangdue Phodrang Dzong lies at the confluence of the Puna Chu and the Dang Chu. It is said that Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal came across a small boy named Wangdue who was playing on the riverbank. The Shabdrung was so touched by his innocence that he named the dzong in the valley Wangdue Phodrang (meaning Wangdue’s palace.). This Dzong was established in 1638 by the Shabdrung and completed in 1683 by Tenzin Rabgye. The location of this Dzong was determined as it was the site at which four ravens were seen flying in four different directions. This was considered an auspicious omen, as it indicated the spread of Buddhism in these four directions.

Radak Naktshang is the town temple and was built sometime in the 17th century. There was supposedly a mermaid in the river nearby that hindered the construction of this temple. She had to be subdued to enable the establishment of the temple and it now contains a statue of this very mermaid.
Wangdue Phodrang: a district known for it’s fine bamboo work and slate and stone carving, also houses a yak diary research station and it’s higher plains provide rich cattle pastures.