Things to do in Bhutan

25 things to do in Bhutan

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Hike to the Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang)

  Cling to a cliffside 900 meters above Paro Valley, this sacred monastery is Bhutan's most iconic site, reached by a steep half-day trek through pine forests and past fluttering prayer flags.

  Paro

• Attend the Paro Tshechu festival

  Witness masked cham dances and the unfurling of a giant silk thangka at Paro Dzong, a vibrant annual religious festival drawing thousands in traditional attire.

  Paro

• Cross the Punakha Suspension Bridge

  Walk across one of Bhutan's longest suspension bridges, swaying high above the turquoise Pho Chhu river with panoramic views of the majestic Punakha Dzong.

  Punakha

• Visit the Buddha Dordenma statue in Thimphu

  A 51‑meter bronze Shakyamuni Buddha seated atop a hill, overlooking the capital and housing 125,000 smaller statues inside its meditation hall.

  Thimphu

• Explore the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu

  A prominent white stupa with a golden spire, where elderly Bhutanese gather daily to spin prayer wheels and circumambulate, a hub of spiritual life.

  Thimphu

• Trek to Jhomolhari Base Camp at Jangothang

  A challenging high‑altitude trek offering breathtaking views of sacred Mount Jhomolhari, yak herders, and turquoise mountain lakes in a remote Himalayan landscape.

  Jangothang, near Paro

• Soak in the hot springs at Gasa Tshachu

  Natural hot springs in a forested valley, reachable by a scenic trek, where you can relax in steaming pools with mountain views.

  Gasa

• Admire Punakha Dzong at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers

  Spectacularly set between two rivers, this 17th‑century fortress is a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture and the winter seat of the central monastic body.

  Punakha

• Drive up to Chele La Pass for Himalayan panoramas

  The highest motorable pass in Bhutan, strung with prayer flags, offering sweeping views of Mount Jomolhari and Haa Valley's alpine meadows.

  Chele La, between Paro and Haa

• Watch students at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum

  Observe young artisans mastering Bhutan's 13 traditional arts—from thangka painting to wood carving—in this living art school in the capital.

  Thimphu

• Sample ema datshi in a Bumthang farmhouse

  Taste Bhutan's fiery national dish, ema datshi, made with local yak cheese and green chilies, in the warm kitchen of a traditional farmhouse.

  Bumthang

• Attend the Black-Necked Crane Festival in Phobjikha Valley

  Celebrate the annual return of endangered black‑necked cranes with folk dances, songs, and environmental education at Gangtey Monastery in a glacial valley.

  Phobjikha Valley

• Walk a section of the Trans Bhutan Trail

  Follow a restored centuries‑old pilgrimage route from Dochula Pass to Punakha, passing through pristine forests, villages, and sacred chortens with Himalayan views.

  Dochula to Punakha

• Tour Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the royal family

  The largest dzong in Bhutan, perched on a ridge above the Mangde Chhu gorge, with labyrinthine corridors and a museum chronicling the monarchy.

  Trongsa

• Seek blessings at Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman

  A whimsical fertility temple adorned with phallic symbols, where couples pray for children, following a short walk through terraced rice fields.

  Punakha

• Raft the rapids of the Pho Chhu River

  Navigate thrilling Class III‑IV rapids with stunning views of Punakha Dzong and forested gorges, a perfect blend of adventure and scenery.

  Punakha

• Explore the secluded Haa Valley

  A pristine valley opened to tourists only recently, offering traditional villages, alpine meadows, and a glimpse of rural Bhutanese life untouched by mass tourism.

  Haa Valley

• Visit the National Library of Bhutan

  Home to ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the world's largest published book, housed in a traditional building, preserving Bhutan's literary heritage.

  Thimphu

• Sip ara, Bhutan's traditional spirit, at a village homestay

  Sample the distilled rice or maize liquor, often served warm with butter and egg, in a cozy farmstay while sharing stories with your hosts.

  Bumthang

• Spot takin, Bhutan's national animal, at Motithang Preserve

  See the unique goat‑antelope, a creature of local legend, in a forested enclosure that protects this rare species in Thimphu.

  Thimphu

• Attend the Thimphu Tshechu at Tashichho Dzong

  A grand religious festival held in the fortress courtyard, featuring sacred dances by monks, colorful processions, and a sea of Bhutanese national dress.

  Thimphu

• Climb to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

  Hike through rice paddies to an elaborate 4‑storey temple dedicated to the kingdom's well‑being, crowned by panoramic views of the Punakha Valley.

  Punakha

• Marvel at Dochula Pass and its 108 memorial chortens

  A mountain pass adorned with 108 chortens built by the Queen Mother, framing a dramatic backdrop of the snow‑capped Eastern Himalayas.

  Dochula Pass

• Visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples

  Built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, this temple hosts the fiery Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival with fire dances and rituals.

  Bumthang

• Watch a traditional archery match at Changlimithang Stadium

  Experience Bhutan's national sport, where teams shoot arrows with bamboo bows amid singing, dancing, and playful taunts, a lively social spectacle.

  Thimphu