Paro is a valley in Bhutan that has the only international airport of the country. It is also known for the many sacred sites in the area. Punakha is the Punakha Dzong’s administrative centre which is the second largest and the second oldest dzong in Bhutan.
Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, after which, Thimphu was made the capital city. Punakha is located between the two rivers, Mo Chu and Pho. You can see a noticeable colour difference between the river’s waters. While you are on your Bhutan trip, you must spend a few days on
5 Things to do in Punakha, Bhutan
#1 Punakha Winter Trek: Embark upon the Punakha Winter Trek
In Bhutan, this is the easiest trekking trail, which attracts a number of tourists. Ideal for beginners, this trek commences from Thimphu and concludes in the beautiful Punakha valley.
You will be trekking through the lush green valleys, scenic landscapes and dense forests and golden rice fields. The trail crosses through Phajoding Monastery and the beautiful Sinchula Pass. Located at an altitude of 3,400m, the low altitude of this trek allows trekkers to embark upon it during the winter months.
#2 Visit the Punakha Dzong: Visit the most picturesque Dzong in the country
This is the most picturesque dzong in the country that holds a high value for the royal family. It is also called the palace of great happiness and has a unique style of Bhutanese architecture design. Three photo points have been established around this palace, which will enable you to click great pictures of the dzong.
#3 Khamsum Yulley: Trek to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
This temple was commissioned by the Queen Mother of Bhutan. The temple was built to bring peace and prosperity and its design is based on the Buddhist scriptures. Trekking to this place will take about an hour, which will offer you the best scenic views of the valley below
#4 Visit the Chimpi Lhakhang Temple: Visit the abode of Drukpa Kunley
This temple is a mix of bizarre and intriguing things. This temple is the abode of Drukpa Kunley who advocated the use of phallic imagery as a way to ward off the evil spirits. The outside and inner sides of the temple is filled with phallic images. Hiking towards the temple will take about 15 minutes where you will be passing through the paddy fields.
#5 Visit the Drukgyel Dzong: UNESCO World Heritage
This is an important historical and archaeological site in Paro. It has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it played a crucial role for the Tibetan army that used this palace as a defense spot. Open from 7 am to 6 pm, you can also seek the help of tourist guides here who will talk about the history of this place.
Also Read:
5 Things to do in Thimpu, Bhutan
Whenever you visit Punakha in Bhutan, these are must things to do. In case you need help to plan a trip to Bhutan get in touch with us at support@adventourist.in and we will be happy to help you with this. Hope you liked our article about things to do in Punakha, Bhutan. Do let us know via comments
