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Bhutan is a beautiful and small country. It is a landlocked country located on the eastern side of the Himalayas. People living in Bhutan still practice Buddhism. It is known for its Buddhist monasteries. It is a small kingdom, also known as the ‘Kingdom of Bhutan.’ It has a constitutional monarchy.
About Bhutan
Bhutan is a unique country with several interesting facts that make it different from others. It is considered the happiest nation in the world. Bhutan, the ‘land of the Thunder Dragon’, is a mesmerising small country. In Bhutan, there are several places that you can visit. This article will tell you the different places to visit in Bhutan.
How to travel to Bhutan from Singapore
Travelling to Bhutan from Singapore is easy. All you need is a visa. If you want to go on trekking, you will need permission from the RST department. Your travel agency will help you to get all the permits and documents ready. There are direct flights from Singapore to Bhutan. Two Bhutanese airlines work. In Bhutan, there is only one international airport at Paro. It is a small airport.
- If travelling by road
If anyone from Singapore wants to go to Bhutan via road, they can first land in Bagdogra airport. From there, they can take a car and reach Bhutan.
Things to do in Bhutan
In Bhutan, there are several tourist places to visit and lots of exciting adventures to undertake.
Here is the list of the things that you can do in Bhutan.
- Trekking to Tiger’s Nest in Paro- Paro is a beautiful small town in Bhutan. A trek to Paro Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest is a compulsory thing to do. A steep 2 hours long road leads to a monastery. This trek should stay on your bucket list when you visit Bhutan.
- Try Rafting- If you love adventures, you should go rafting in Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers. While rafting, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of Bhutan. Enjoy nature. In Bhutan rafting, is quite a popular sport. Many people, including beginners, can try rafting without any fear here.
- Have a short at Archery- Archery is the national sport in Bhutan. They consider Archery a test of manhood. If you ever visit Bhutan, try Archery with a traditional bamboo bow and arrow.
- Enjoy Kayaking- Another adventurous sport that you can undertake is kayaking. You can go to Punakha Valley, Paro Valley, or Trongsa during March- April or October-November to enjoy Kayaking in Bhutan. While kayaking, watch the beautiful Kingdom of Bhutan unfolds. It’s mesmerising scenery, the beauty of nature, and the mountains surrounding the river.
- Relaxing in the hot springs of Koma- Koma hot spring or Koma Tsachu is in the village called Koma in the Punakha Valley. People come here to relax and rejuvenate in the hot springs. Many local people believe that the water in the hot springs can cure many skin diseases, headaches, etc. Thus the people living there believe that the water has some healing powers. It is something which you should surely try when you visit Bhutan.
- Cycling in DochuLa Pass- Adventurous people will love cycling in Bhutan. While cycling, you can enjoy the serene views of the Himalayas. Cycling around DochuLa Pass around Punakha Valley you, will find 108 shrines or Chortens. These shrines commemorate the martyr soldiers.
- Visit the temple of Divine Madman- You can visit the temple of Divine Madman in Sopsokha. The temple is devoted to a famous monk of Bhutan, Drukpa Kunley. This monk declared his genitals as ‘divine thunderbolt.’ The locals believe that worshipping his genitals can bring fertility. The houses there are also very unusual. You will never find such unique homes anywhere in the world. On the walls of every house, you will find a large phallus drawn. This entire visit can be very unusual.
- Be a part of the cultural festival at Paro- The Tsechu festival celebrated in Paro on the tenth day of every Lunar month is unique. It’s a very colourful Bhutanese festival. You can watch their traditional dance. Also, join them in their cultural dance.
Numerous tourist places in Thimphu
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. It is in the western-central region of the country. There are several places to visit around Thimphu as well. Here is the list of places you can stop by when in Thimphu.
- Trashi Chho Dzong
- National Memorial Chorten
- National Library of Bhutan
- Buddha Point
- Tango Goemba
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Dechen Phodrang
- Cheri Gompa
- Phajoding Monastery
- Simply Bhutan Museum
- National Institute for Zorig Chusum
- Simtokha Dzong
- Royal Botanical Garden
- National Institute of Traditional Medicine
- The Folk Heritage Museum is locally known as ‘Phelchey Toenkhyim’
- Drubthob Goemba/ Zilukha Nunnery
- Bhutan Post Office Headquarters
- Coronation Park
- Choki Traditional Art school
- Clock Tower Square
- Motithang Takin Preserve
These are the most prominent places to visit when you are staying in Thimphu. Many of these places have definite timings. Some also have entry fees. It is advisable before going to these places you should check the timings and the price if required.
Other things to do in Bhutan and Thimphu
Apart from these few things, there are many other activities and sports that you can try in Bhutan. You can try rock climbing in Thimpu, fishing games, collect customised postal stamps, learn about the traditional art forms in Bhutan. Enjoy the local life of Bhutan. Shop from the local Bhutanese markets, eat Bhutanese food, try their unique cuisine.
To sum up
If you plan your trip to Bhutan well, it can be the most exciting trip. Bhutan is full of numerous activities, sports, trekking, rafting, kayaking, bike riding, cycling, etc. It has a rich history, culture, and heritage. They have very well preserved it. The practice and survival of Buddhism are a great thing. There are so many new things to learn in Bhutan, amidst all these the beautiful Himalaya and its snow-capped peaks. All these can make your trip to Bhutan memorable.
