Landmarks in Bhutan

Take a tour of Bhutan, an independent kingdom in South Asia. The focus of agricultural production is the south of Bhutan and the electricity generated by hydropower plants is of great importance. Marvel at Bhutan’s attractions and learn about the culture of this country. The most important cities of Bhutan are the capital Thimphu with the museum for traditional textile arts, the nuns monastery, the national library or the state emporium for handicrafts; Phuentsholing with the freely passable border gate between Bhutan and India and the Karbandi monastery; the city of Gedu and Gelaphu. Enjoy Bhutan on a study trip and let yourself be impressed by this new culture!

Taktshang in Bhutan

The famous Taktshang Monastery in the Kingdom of Bhutan, also known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, is located in the Himalaya Mountains in western Bhutan, at an altitude of over 3000 meters.

Legend of the origin of Taktshang

The Taktshang Monastery is located on a rocky promontory above the Paro Valley in western Bhutan. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, flew in the second half of the 8th century on the back of a tigress to the very ledge on which the monastery is located today. Rinpoche meditated there for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in a cave and then went down into the valley to spread the teachings of Tantric Buddhism. The name of the Taktshang Monastery, translated “Tiger’s Nest”, can be traced back to this legend.

The Taktshang Monastery

The magnificent monastery, built in 1692 by the fourth King Tenzin Rabgye, can only be reached on foot or by mule via a steep path through a pine forest. The Taktshang, which was artfully built around a cave, consists of four temples, which are connected by stairs and wooden bridges carved out of the rock. The walls are decorated with images of the legend of Rinpoche, also known as Zangdopari. Each building has a balcony from which a fantastic view over the Paro valley is offered. The surrounding chapels, which were partially destroyed by fire in 1998, impress with paintings and countless statues.

Taktshang Monastery in Bhutan is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in the Himalayas. For travelers, too, the hike to the most famous Buddhist monastery in Bhutan is one of the highlights of their trip.

Jhomolhari Trek

The Paro Valley in the north of the Himalayan state of Bhutan is an extremely popular destination, especially for adventurers from all over the world. Anyone who is traveling here should definitely make an extensive excursion to the famous Jhomolhari Trek. This is considered to be one of the most beautiful and popular trekking routes in the entire country. The route, characterized by extraordinary natural phenomena, takes visitors close to the border with Tibet. Ambitious hobby mountaineers get their money’s worth on the Jhomolhari Trek as well as experienced hikers and professional mountaineers. Anyone who is on the Jhomolhari Trek should be fit and have good stamina. The highlight of the route is the more than 7,300 meter high Jhomolhari, which is famous as one of the few “sacred mountains” in Bhutan. Here visitors from all over the world can enjoy an extremely spectacular view of the entire region. In addition, you can discover an extraordinary and extremely diverse flora and fauna around the Jhomolhari Trek. The Buddhist temple Lingshi-Dzong, which is known far beyond the borders of Bhutan, should not be missed when visiting the mountain region. The spring months from April to June and the autumn months from September to November are considered the best times for a spectacular adventure trip on the Jhomolhari Trek. The Buddhist temple Lingshi-Dzong, which is known far beyond the borders of Bhutan, should not be missed when visiting the mountain region. The spring months from April to June and the autumn months from September to November are considered the best times for a spectacular adventure trip on the Jhomolhari Trek. The Buddhist temple Lingshi-Dzong, which is known far beyond the borders of Bhutan, should not be missed when visiting the mountain region. The spring months from April to June and the autumn months from September to November are considered the best times for a spectacular adventure trip on the Jhomolhari Trek.

Paro Festival

a religious festival in a Buddhist monastery castle

The Tsechus, which take place annually at the huge dzongs, are among the most important, largest and certainly most colorful festivals in the Southeast Asian Kingdom of Bhutan. Dzongs characterize the imposing monastery castles, which with their colorful furnishings are considered to be the spiritual and secular centers of the country. The Tsechus organized in them are religious festivals which, with their folkloric performances extending over several days, have become very popular tourist attractions. One of the most important and spectacular festivals of this kind takes place in Paro, a small town in the west of the Himalayan kingdom at an altitude of 2,400 meters.

A festival of the Buddhist-Lamaist way of life.

The Paro Festival, which extends over several days, has its origins in the life and work of the founder of Buddhism, whose activities are reflected in eight so-called manifestations. These form the basis of the thematic content of many of the dances performed by monks at the festival. All dances, such as the dance of the black hat magicians, the dance of the heroes or the skeleton dance are performed in colorful costumes using stylized masks and primarily deal with death and the realm of the dead. They are usually accompanied by an almost deafening noise, which is generated by rattles and drums but also by the dancers themselves. To loosen up the program, clown-like dancers act as jokers between the dances.

A festival of colors and people

If you get the opportunity to experience the Paro Festival on at least one day on your trip or study trip to Bhutan, you will be impressed by the spectators wearing the colorful national dress and precious jewelry, many of whom are festive every four days near the fairground linger decorated monastery buildings. The festival area is framed by the fairytale backdrop of the Himalayas.

Visit worth seeing cities in Bhutan

Here you will find study trips and round trips through the metropolises of Bhutan

Paro

Paro is a historic small town in western Bhutan. It is located at an altitude of around 2,400 kilometers and has a population of around 15,000. The city has an enormous wealth of sacred places and historical buildings that are scattered all over the area. In addition, the green Paro Valley is one of the most beautiful in all of Bhutan. Paro is the ideal travel destination for people who love nature and appreciate the peaceful tranquility of a place that touches the soul. Despite the uninviting concrete buildings and the hustle and bustle that prevails in the bazaar, Paro, together with Punakha and Jakar, is part of the “Golden Triangle” of Bhutan’s most popular tourist destinations. The main street with its traditional wooden constructions impresses with its simplicity.

Landmarks in Bhutan