Top 5 Places in Bhutan That’ll Leave You Awestruck!

Bhutan – the peaceful Kingdom that lies in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas – is one of the few locations in the world, where nature and spirituality live in harmonic unity. The Land of the Thunder Dragon, as this beautiful nation is called, welcomes tourists in a land of snow-white mountains, small and tranquil monasteries, and an unwavering resolution to be happy and to keep the environment clean.

Starting with the prayer flags waving in the wind to the golden dzongs that nest along crystal rivers, Bhutan is a place whose time appears to slow down making you re-reconnect with the present moment. It is a place that combines the ancient Buddhist practices, spectacular sceneries and friendly humans to form an experience of traveling like no other.

Bhutan provides the adventure tailor makes an adventure seeker, spiritual follower, or even a nature lover, a place to experience the soul and to feel the moment.

These are five amazing destinations in Bhutan which indeed bring spells and fervor to the heart and soul of someone and leave a person spellbound.

1. Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

Overlooking the sea level by 3,120 meters on the side of a cliff, the most famous landmark in Bhutan is called Paro Taktsang, which is also known as the Tiger Nest Monastery, and is regarded as a symbol of the profound spirituality of Bhutan. Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) is said to have arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated here to conquer the evil spirits bringing Buddhism to Bhutan.

The golden spires and the white walls of the monastery are stuck frenziedly on the mountain face and this view is not only mystical but also awe-inspiring. The climb to the Tiger Nest is a journey in itself as one is taken through pine trees that are fragrant with incense, through colorful prayer flags and tiny shrines. You are paid off with panorama views of the fertile Paro Valley beneath at every bend.

When you are on the top, all the rush is completely justified, because of the calmness of the scenes and the monks singing in rhythm. When one comes to visit this monastery, one does not merely go as a tourist to have a sightseeing adventure, but one would have gone in a spiritually pilgrimage.

2. Punakha Dzong

The magnificent Punakha Dzong is located at the head of the two rivers, Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu in the midst of Bhutan, and it is one of the most beautiful architectural marvels. It was translated to The Palace of Great Happiness and was constructed in 1637 and was used as the administrative and religious center of the country for centuries.

It is a grand fort that is characterized by elaborate Bhutanese architecture, whose walls have been whitewashed, roofs are of golden tip, and the wood work is carved. This is because the dzong is surrounded by jacaranda trees which blossom in spring and this gives the violet canopy making it pretty.

The Punakha Tshechu Festival every year puts the fortress in the luminous color, tunes, and masked dances as the living evidence of the Bhutanese culture and religion. The Punakha Dzong is a journey into a colourful woven-up tale of art, faith and history amidst the tranquil background of endless flowing rivers and waving prayer flags.

3. Dochula Pass

Dochula Pass is a spiritual and beautiful mountain pass in Bhutan, which is at an elevation of approximately 3,100 meters. It sits on the highway between Thimphu and Punakha and has 108 construction chortens (stupas) in remembrance of the Bhutanese troops who died fighting the country.

Dochura, on a sunny day, gives a panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas, with the highest peak of Bhutan Gangkar Puensum, which is a breathtaking vision and it leaves the travelers speechless.

It is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang Temple with complex murals marking both the past and future of Bhutan. The view becomes a dream, when the mist covers the chortens, and turns the place into a serene refuge, which exudes calm and holiness. Dochura Pass is the heavenly entry point to the photographers, nature lovers and spiritual travelers.

4. Phobjikha Valley

One of the most ethereal sceneries of Bhutan is the bowl-shaped valley of glaciers, Phobjikha Valley that is surrounded by mountains. The Valley of the Cranes as it is commonly known is the wintering place of the endangered black-necked cranes which fly there every year of the year, a phenomenon that attracts birdwatchers and nature lovers all over the world.

This is a peace valley, untouched, silent, and marvellously beautiful. One can take nature trails with beautiful views, go to hamlets and live the real rural life of Bhutan.

The Gangtey Monastery, a 17th century Buddhist gompa, overlooks the valley to provide a spiritual touch to the region. The perspective here, where the prayer flags are blowing in the background under an emerald field and hazy mountain, is almost surreal. To tourists who want to enjoy tranquility, Phobjikha reminds them of the inerrancy and innocence of nature.

5. Bumthang Valley

The Spiritual Heartland of Bhutan, Bumthang Valley is a mixture of four picturesque valleys in the country, each of them with its unique combination of cultural values and nature. The oldest temples and monasteries of Bhutan proudly stand here, such as Jambay Lhakhang and Kurje Lhakhang that are two of the most sacred places in Bhutan.

The beauty of Bumthang is in its authenticity, rolling meadows, orchards of apple, and calm riversides produce a feeling of eternal calm. The craftsmen here are famous to make handweaving and yak wool clothes and the dairy cows and organic products of this region give an element of wholesome simplicity to your trip.

It is at Bumthang that, no matter whether you are in a local festival, in a centuries-old monastery, or even just looking at the golden glow of sunset over the valley, the heart is touched in ways that few places can.

Final Thoughts

Bhutan is not merely a place – it is a state of being, a lesson in life of balance, mindfulness and happiness. Every spot is narrating something, as the cliffs of Paro Taktsang are flying so high and the calmness of the valley of Phobjikha is so still.

The fast-paced world makes us forget to slow down, inhale, and enjoy the beauty of the moment, which is what Bhutan makes us do. You may be attracted by its grand monasteries, its colorful customs, or its untainted mountain air but whatever you feel about Bhutan you will feel awed- changed.