PUNAKHA

PUNAKHA

PUNAKHA

Punakha, the erstwhile capital of Bhutan is a quiet, peaceful town that sits on the banks of the Pho Chhu (male river) and Mo Chhu (female river). It has a quaint, otherworldly air to it which might seem missing in the more populated western districts of the country.
As mentioned, the district was the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Due to the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, the climate is temperate and rice is widely grown here. It is three hours’ drive from Thimphu (Capital) and the majority of the population speaks Dzongkha (National language). Punakha is a quintessential small town but this very fact makes it worth visiting. You can observe how Bhutanese live in a semi-urban setting. Not that it is lacking in natural beauty
and charm. If you are going to Punkaha make sure you bring your camera along because you will get many wonderful photo opportunities.
Punakha does have a lot to offer to its visitors. The most happening time being the Punakha festival which comes once a year.  

Come and take a look at what these special must dos for Punakha visitors are:

#Punakha Dzong (Fortress)
Punakha Dzong built in the 1637 is located right at the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Female river) and Pho Chhu (Male river) and is known as the palace of great happiness. It is the most picturesque of all of dzongs (Fortress) in Bhutan,
understandably so as there are three established photo points around the palace for taking a perfect picture of the dzong (fort). It is the administrative center of the district and also the winter residence of the Central Monk Body.

Punakha Fort

#Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
It takes an hour long trek to reach the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten commissioned by the Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. The temple was designed based on Buddhist scriptures and was built for the peace and prosperity of the Kingdom and the world.
A lot of people visit the temple especially because of the hike.
#Chimi Lhakhang Temple
The famous Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha was founded by the Divine Madman, Lam Drukpa Kunley who used ribald humor including phallic wisdom to ward off evil spirits. Phallic images fill the walls of the temple-inside and outside. It is believed that barren couples who want a child should get blessings from this monastery. To get to Chimi Lhakhang, you have to hike15 minutes through paddy fields set against the rolling hills before you get to the hill atop which the temple is located.

Punakha

#White Water Rafting
White water rafting in Punakha is slowly catching up with adventure seekers. White water rafting on the Mo and Pho Chhu has 10 rapids and 15 rapids respectively and the Devil’s gorge is a special attraction. If you want an adrenalin thrill, don’t miss out on this.

#Talo Monastery
Talo is a hamlet located at the very top of the Punakha valley, at a height of 2,800m. When you reach it, you can see the Punakha valley. The village, an hour long hike is a specimen of how human beings can live in peaceful co-existence with nature. One of the better things to do in Punakha.

#Dochula Resort Restaurant
When you reach Dochula Pass while making your way from Thimphu (new capital) to Punakha (old capital), it will be a great experience to dine at the Dochula Resort Restaurant. With an overview of the fantastic
Himalayan mountain summits, especially Gangkhar Puensum (7570 meters), and the overall novelty of eating in surreal surroundings, this must-do will be a real treat.
#Bird watching in Jigme Dorji National Park
Owing to elevations ranging from 1,400m to 7,000m the Jigme Dorji National Park houses a huge diversity of the world’s rarest species of flora and fauna. If your hobby is to bird watch, you will not let go of this opportunity to do so in this modern treasure island of birds and animals.

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