Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan's new frontier
Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is a new special administrative region in southern Bhutan, on the border with Assam, announced by the King in December 2023. It is planned as a green, 'mindful' economic hub with its own laws and an international airport due around 2029. Today you can fly in from Paro to see the city taking shape, soak in the Gelephu hot springs and explore the forests of the south.
- Announced
- December 2023
- Where
- Southern Bhutan, Assam border
- New airport
- Expected around 2029
- From Paro
- About 40 minutes by air
About Gelephu Mindfulness City
His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck announced the project on Bhutan's National Day, 17 December 2023. Gelephu, a border town in Sarpang district, and the land around it became a special administrative region, governed under a Royal Charter with its own laws. Its commercial code draws on those of Singapore and Abu Dhabi. The aim is to create jobs, bring young Bhutanese home and attract investment, guided by the values of Gross National Happiness.
The master plan, by the Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group with Arup and Cistri, weaves neighbourhoods around the region's many rivers and streams, with 'inhabited bridges' for public buildings and forest and wildlife corridors kept open. Road bridges are designed with elephant crossings underneath. The official GMC website describes an area of over 4,000 km², about a tenth of Bhutan; earlier plans used smaller figures.
As of 2026, most of the city is still being built. Work has begun on the new international airport, thousands of Bhutanese have volunteered to lay out parks and trails, and a ring of 108 chortens is rising across the region. Visiting now means seeing a city at its very beginning.
Things to do in Gelephu
- 1
Gelephu Tshachu hot springs
Riverside hot springs in the forest near town, long visited by Bhutanese for their healing reputation. They are busiest and most pleasant in the cool winter months.
- 2
Royal Manas National Park
Bhutan's oldest protected area, home to tigers, elephants, golden langurs and hornbills, with rafting on the Manas river. Access and permits change from season to season, so we confirm them when we plan your trip.
- 3
The GMC parks and Lotus-Born Trail
Public parks and walking trails laid out by volunteer Bhutanese (including the Lotus-Born Trail, opened in 2026) give a first feel of the city's green, walkable plan.
- 4
The 108 chortens
A circle of 108 Jangchub chortens is being built across the Mindfulness City, each sponsored and consecrated as part of the project.
- 5
Gelephu town
A lively, warm border town with a Sunday market, the central Gelephu Lhakhang and a very different feel from the high valleys of the west.
Best time to visit Gelephu
Come between October and March, when the southern foothills are dry and pleasantly warm. April and May are hot and humid, and the monsoon (June to September) brings heavy rain to the south.
Winter is the classic season for the hot springs and the best time for wildlife in the forests.
Month by month across the country: the best time to visit Bhutan.
Getting to Gelephu
Druk Air flies between Paro and Gelephu's existing domestic airport in about 40 minutes, a few times a week. By road, Gelephu is most of a day's drive from Thimphu or Punakha through Wangdue and Tsirang.
Gelephu is also a land crossing from Assam in India, but international visitors need their visa and tour arranged in advance. The new Gelephu International Airport is expected to open around 2029; until then, Paro remains the main gateway. We can add Gelephu to a tailor-made trip.
Gelephu on the map
Add Gelephu to your trip
None of our set tours go here yet, but we can build it into a private, tailor-made journey.
Gelephu FAQs
Your questions, answered
Still wondering about something? Ask our Thimphu team directly. We're happy to help.
Ask us on WhatsAppA new special administrative region in southern Bhutan, announced by the King in December 2023. It has its own laws and is being built as a green, 'mindful' economic hub, with new neighbourhoods, an international airport and investment in clean industries, guided by Gross National Happiness.
In Sarpang district in southern Bhutan, around the border town of Gelephu, next to the Indian state of Assam. It is about 40 minutes by air from Paro.
It is expected to open around 2029. Until then, Paro is Bhutan's main international airport, and Druk Air flies between Paro and Gelephu's existing domestic airport.
Yes. The same rules apply as elsewhere in Bhutan: a visa, the Sustainable Development Fee and a licensed guide. Very short visits that stay within the border town's designated area can be exempt from the fee. Ask us about the current rules.
The master plan is by the Danish architecture practice Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), working with the engineers Arup and the urban consultancy Cistri. BIG is also designing the new airport terminal.
Not yet for most travellers. Gelephu Mindfulness City is at a very early stage and will take around ten years to take shape, so we don't run trips there for now. Read this page as a guide to what's coming, and ask us if you're curious about what can be seen today.
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