Paro

At an elevation of 2,250 m, Paro provides the calm of the countryside, beautiful landscape, scenic villages and historic buildings. The valley is large and places of interest are scattered several kilometers. Taktsang Gompa : Also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”, Taktsang is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries. It is miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900 km above the floor of Paro Valley. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche had meditated in a cave here after he arrived to this monastery on the back of a flying tigress. It was built in 1692 by the Penlop of Paro, Gylse Tenzing Rabgye. Milarepa is also said to have meditated here.

Drukgyel Dzong:- 14km from Paro, stand the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. This dzong was built in 1649 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in a location chosen for its control of the route to Tibet. The dzong was named ‘Druk’ (Bhutan) ‘gyel’ (victory) to commemorate the victory of Bhutan over Tibetan invaders in 1644. From here you can have magnificent view (weather permitting) of Mt. Jomalhari (7,316m)

National Museum:- National Museum of Bhutan is situated above the Paro Dzong in the old watchtower, one of the earliest constructed buildings in the country. The collection in the museum includes weapons and stamps, birds and mammals, and a good display of ancient Bhutanese art and artefacts.

Ugyen Pelri Palace:- Ugyen Pelri Palace is in a secluded wooded compound on the south side of the river just west of the dzong. This palace was built by the Paro Penlop, Tshering Penjor, in the early 1900s and is now a residence of the queen mother. It is designed after Guru Rinpoche’s celestial paradise, Zangto Pelri, and is one of the most beautiful examples of Bhutanese architecture.

Chhoeten Lhakhang:- Chhoeten Lhakhang, a large Bhutanese style chorten, is south of the town square.

Druk Choeding:- It is also known as tshongdoe Naktshang, Druk Choeding is the town temple. it was built in 1525 by Ngawang Chhogyel.

Dumtse Lhakhang:- To the west of the road is Dumtse Lhakhang, a chorten-like temple that is closed to tourists. This unusual building was built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo. It has three floors representing hell, earth, heaven and the paintings inside are said to be some of the best in Bhutan.