One of the largest Buddha statues in the world, Buddha Dordenma is a masterpiece of architectural wonder. It is the largest sitting Buddha statue ever with a height of 51.5 meters and is made of solid bronze. This means that in Thimphu, which has a population of around 100,000, there are more Buddhas than there are human beings. Buddha Dordenma Statue is a representation of the manifestation of human faith and everlasting peace and happiness for all human beings. Apart from this it also has 125,000 other Buddha statues are placed surrounding the Buddha Dordenma statue.

The Buddha Statue was made to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck while fulfilling two ancient prophecies from the 8th and 12th centuries which stated that a giant Buddha statue would be built in the region to bless the world with peace. The string of prayer flags along roadsides, the numerous prayer wheels surrounding the clock tower in the centre of town, the small chortens and the numerous paintings and offerings on the walls of rock and cement. Tourists often come to see Buddha Dordenma Statue and visit many temples in Bhutan.

Location: Kuenselphodrang, Thimphu, Bhutan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuddhaPoint
Tel: 975 77 85 71 41
Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.7/5

The National Library of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan was established in 1967 for the purpose of "preservation and promotion of the rich cultural and religious heritage" of Bhutan. It is located in the Kawajangtsa area of Thimphu, above the Royal Thimphu Golf Course, near the Folk Heritage Museum and the National Institute for Zorig Chusum. The architecture here is beautiful in typical Bhutanese tradition. Most books here are on handmade paper, preserved between wooden pieces or wrapped in silk.

The National Library of Bhutan is the one place which houses the most enlightening and interesting things to see in Thimphu. The place is tranquil, and you can find yourself engrossed in reading about Bhutanese history here. At the National Library, all aspects of Bhutan are preserved, from religious to socio-political. There are books on every topic for the public’s easy accessibility.

The National Library of Bhutan possesses a wide collection of 6100 Bhutanese and Tibetan books, xylographs and manuscripts as well as 9000 printing boards and wooden printing blocks for religious books. The inner walls have photo frames from the past, which give the library an aesthetic look. It has one of the largest holdings of Buddhist Literature in the entire world and it is one of the best places to promote the religious and cultural heritage of Bhutan in the form of ancient printed resources related to the history, religion, traditions, and culture of Bhutan.

Location: Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Website: https://www.library.gov.bt/
Tel: 975 2 322 693
Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:30 PM
Google Rating: 4.6/5

Among the places to visit in Thimphu, Tango Goemba is one of the oldest places. It is located close to the scenic mountains of Cheri in the northern part of the Thimphu district. The monastery has been considered the highest centre of Buddhist studies in Bhutan, where following the programme, monks usually spend three years, three months and three days in meditation. The foundation of this monastery was laid way back in the 12th century. This place underwent a substantial renovation in 1966 under the auspices of the royal family. Tango Goemba has been presently serving as the residence of the seventh reincarnation of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, Gyalse Rinpoche.

Tango Goemba is one of the largest Thimphu tourist attractions. The best time to visit it is during the Zhabdrung Kuchoe, the memorial of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal’s death in April or May. Many international tourists visit Tango Goemba to embrace the legendary history of the kingdom of Bhutan. The annual Yarney festival attracts monks from all around the country. The festival lasts for more than a month and follows the Buddhist sacred vows. You can also witness a crystal here brought in from Tibet which is used specifically for meditation.

Location: Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Website: https://www.drukasia.com/bhutan/thimphu/tango-goempa/
Hour: 7:00 AM - 16:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.6/5

Dechen Phodrang Monastery is located in the north part of Thimphu. The meaning of Dechen Phodrang is “Palace of Great Bliss”. In 1771, the original building on the site of Dechen Phodrang was destroyed in a fire and only the residence of Zhabdrung survived. The residence was then renamed Dechen Phodrang and started to be treated as a monastic residence. Since 1972, the Dechen Phodrang Monastery is a monastic school where around 300 monks seek education. The place also used to host government functions in the 18th century.

Dechen Phodrang Monastery also has a statue of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who was popularly called the ‘Bearded Lama". For the people who are interested in history and paintings, the monastery has paintings that date back to the 12th century and it is one of the amazing places to see in Thimpu. This Dechen Monastery is related to Saint Pema Lingpa, the rebirth of the Guru Rinpoche. The Guru Rinpoche is the one who introduced Buddhism to the country and unwrapped the hidden treasures. Festivals such as Gangtey Tsechu and the Black Necked Crane Festival are also celebrated here. In these festivals, children dress up as black cranes to welcome their arrival.

Location: Wangdue Phodrang District, Central Bhutan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dechenphodrang/
Tel: 975 17 61 01 67
Hour: 8:00 AM - 19:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.6/5

Probably one of the most popular Thimphu points of interest, The National Memorial Chorten features as a daily place of worship in many natives’ lives. Built in the Tibetan style as a memorial to the third Bhutanese King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the place is known for its whitewashed walls and golden-tiered roofs. Interestingly, the National Memorial Chorten did not enshrine the human remains of the Druk Gyalpo, as he wanted to build a chorten that will represent the mind of Buddha. This place began to become famous in the locality when many major Buddhist religious festivals began to take place.

In 2008, The National Memorial Chorten underwent extensive renovation. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan". Everyone from the elderly to children loves to come here because they like to meditate in the middle of peaceful nature. You can spot various Buddhists circumambulating the Chorten all throughout the day. The Memorial Chorten also attracts a lot of tourists from around the world due to its architecture and deep connection with Bhutan’s rich culture. You will also find beautiful murals, mandalas and red prayer wheels here.

Location: Chhoten Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

Website: http://www.thimphucity.bt/banner/memorial-chorten

Hour: Open all hours

Google Rating: 4.5/5

The oldest surviving temple complex of Bhutan, located at the top of a cliff, Changangkha Lhakhang is the top tourist attraction in Thimphu. The monastery is famed for being home to Genyen Domtsangpa, who is known as the protective and birth deity of children. The complex was built in the 13th century by one of the sons of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, who introduced the Drukpa Kagyu tradition to Bhutan. The picturesque temple complex, located on a natural ridge, offering a stunning mountainous view, has a huge portrait of the king at the entrance.

The monastery consists of three main parts; the first one is the area reserved for nuns. The second part of the monastery is the part where the ashes of Guru Rinpoche are located and it is in the middle. The third part is the main interior part of the Temple. The Changangkha Lhakhang temple is entrenched profoundly into the native culture and levies and is a crucial part of the local community. There are magnificent prayer bells in the outer region of the temple scripted with black and gold manuscripts.

Two beautifully embedded gigantic prayer wheels add to the appearance of the temple and it is one of the best places to visit in Thimpu. The local people visit the Changangkha Lhakhang to to seek out the sanctifications of the deity Tamdrin for their kids and request the monks to title a name to their newborn baby. You can bido Ngultrum, snacks, biscuits, incense, and whiskey as an offering. The locals practice back kora when they visit the pilgrim. If you are in the mood to get adventurous while exploring, Changangkha Lhakhang will not disappoint you at all.

Location: Thimphu, Bhutan
Website: https://northbengaltourism.com/changangkha-lhakhang/
Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.5/5

Simply Bhutan, located around 500 metres to the west of the centre of the city is a part of a project to conserve the culture and traditions of Bhutan. The majestic infrastructure of this museum is the epitome of ancient Bhutanese architecture, which lost its essence in the modernization era. The Simply Bhutan itself is created with the reuse of old timber, door and window frames that were once a part of ancient and traditionally demolished houses.

Traditional cooking wares and old-styled kitchens offer excellent knowledge about the lifestyle of people in Bhutan for decades. Apart from its aim of preservation of the rich culture of Bhutan, this project was also aimed at creating employment for many people. Simply Bhutan Museum is a living museum that offers international tourists an authentic experience of Bhutan’s history, culture, people and food in a single place. In the Simply Bhutan Museum, you will be offered a detailed introduction to authentic Bhutanese life by the youths.

Every visitor to this place is greeted with a shot of rice spirit called the local area. In addition, the visitors are guided through the mocked-up village scenes to get them acquainted with the story of its several parts. You can get their pictures clicked in the traditional attire of Bhutan while strolling here. You also try out a hand at archery and sing some classic songs with the Bhutanese women as they carry out their daily chores.

Location: Genyen Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078740443399
Tel: 975 2 323 897
Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.4/5

Weekend Market in Thimphu is a great place for shopaholics who are travelling to Bhutan. This market is situated on the north side of Changlimithang Stadium, on the Western Bank of the Wang Chu river and it runs every Friday to Sunday. The vendors from all parts of Bhutan flock to this market every week to provide the people with supplies. Weekend Market is divided into various sections depending on the type of commodity, and the market sells everything from local produce to imported goods.

The Weekend Market is one of the best places to visit in Thimphu to get a thorough idea of culture, food and local lifestyle. Not only shopping, but this market is also a place for socializing for a lot of people. You can pick some incense, saffron and other herbs from local vendors. Apart from that, different Bhutanese and Tibetan food items like dried fish, pork, ground barley, red rice, cheese, wild honey etc. also are available here. In Weekend Market, you can also shop for souvenirs from the Handicrafts Market, which is a stone’s throw away from here. All these food items are fresh and locally produced which makes them absolutely authentic.

Location: Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Website: https://www.audleytravel.com/bhutan/things-to-do/visit-to-the-weekend-market-at-thimpu
Hour: 7:00 AM - 20:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.4/5

Royal Botanical Garden, located in Lamperi, at a distance of 30 kilometres from Thimphu, is actually a biological corridor between two national parks. Spread over an area of 120 square kilometres, the botanical garden is situated between a range of 2,100 metres and 3,750 metres. The garden, also popular as a training centre for horticulture activities, is located at the tri-junction of three hills, Helela, Dochula and Sinchula. Royal Botanical Garden was established in 1999 and it was formerly an ex-situ conservation area. There are more than 500 species of many rare plants found here.

Royal Botanical Garden also has a sacred lake, where monkeys can be seen bathing. The lake is considered sacred as people give votive offerings here. This is one of the go-to places to visit in Thimphu to spend a good time in the evening with family and get beautiful pictures clicked. The Royal Botanical Garden is the first-ever botanical garden in Bhutan offering immense and beautiful flora. If you are into plants and flowers and embrace their beauty, you must visit this place. There is also a Children’s Park in the Botanical garden that makes it a quite famous place among locals here. As a matter of fact, the training about flora and fauna is also given here.

Location: Serbithang, Babesa-Thimphu Expressway, Bhutan

Website: https://nbc.gov.bt/

Tel: 975 2 351 219

Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Folk Heritage Museum is a great place for those who want to learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Bhutanese people. Established in 2001, it offers an insight into the everyday life of the villagers as well as their culture. The museum itself is housed inside a three-storied house built sometime in the 19th century. The museum houses a rich collection of equipment, tools, household objects and artefacts from rural households.

Apart from showcasing these objects, The Folk Heritage Museum is also involved in organising regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, customs and habits of the local people. Educational programs for children are also held in the museum. The authenticity of the rural landscape is further enhanced by the presence of a water mill which is more than 150 years old, a traditional style kitchen with vegetables grown during the past 100 years and traditional hot stone baths.

Tourists visiting the Folk Heritage Museum are also introduced to various native trees and plants which are commonly used in a rural Bhutanese households. They are also shown demonstrations of the traditional method of extracting oil or Markhu Tsene, brewing ara or Ara Kayne, roasting rice or Zaw Ngowni and Tham Dhungi or pounding rice within the museum. An open-air buffet lunch and dinner comprising largely of traditional cuisine are also organised by the Folk Heritage Museum. Visitors have the option of selecting from a variety of traditional dishes.

Location: Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

Website: https://www.folkheritagemuseum.org.bt/main/main.php

Tel: 975 02327133

Hour: 11:00 AM - 16:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.2/5