Visiting Thimphu! Bhutan's most vibrant destination

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I was lucky to head straight from the airport to Thimphu, the vibrant capital of Bhutan . 

 Towering Himalayas, gurgling clear streams dancing on shimmering pebbles and smiling Bhutanese people wave and greet you all the way through. As I have shared before, Bhutan welcomes you with a combination of gentleness and vibrance that footprints a bit of silence on your soul. I was heading to the city that hosts one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. 








The Clock Tower Square in Thimphu is a recently renovated public square surrounded by shops and restaurants. Fountains and traditional Bhutanese prayer wheels make for a zippy street ambience. It is ideal for a sprightly walk and shopping. Traffic police with hand signals manage the moving cars as tourists and locals throng the winding streets.



The excitement in Thimphu carries on with interesting places to visit. Rich in ethnic fabric, the city has a quaint personality that stands out in its architecture which is a blend of traditional and modern designs. 

A prominent landmark to visit is the Tashichho Dzong.  The imposing white-washed structure which has undergone several renovations over the centuries following fires and earthquakes flaunts a traditional facade. It hosts in it, both a religious centre for lamas and an administrative centre for the civic body.  I was lucky to catch a glimpse of the day-end colourful parade. 





Another architectural visit is the Memorial Chorten that dominates the Thimphu skyline. It is a large white structure with a golden spire crowning it and smaller golden spires above the front porch. Devotees, especially senior citizens, circumambulate the Chorten, whirling large prayer wheels and worship at the shrine. A feeling of calm echoes in the winds.




For nature lovers The Motithang Takin Reserve is a delightful place to visit. Originally a mini-zoo, you can see the national animal Takin, as well as antelopes and deer, grazing the emerald green slopes peacefully. The reserve is fringed with dense conifers and deciduous growth with a clear sky and snowcapped mountains peeping in. The reserve remains closed for tourists on Monday. It is believed that the wildlife deserve their day off from probing human eyes. 



I cannot wind up my Thimphu tour without sharing my experience of a walk in the clouds at the Buddha Dordenma. The majestic statue brimming in gold, set against the clear blue sky, is a moment of solitude with the magnificence. A whiff of restfulness to savour.



My tour continues in the Land of the Thunder Dragon. I will share more of my experiences in my next post on the Punakha Valley, about 72 km away from Thimphu.

"Log jaygay" ...






About Post Author

Architect, Photographer, Bookworm.
Lifestyle and Design Hunter. In search of Pattern in Chaos.

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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous15 November 2015 at 08:18

    Beautiful photography.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown15 November 2015 at 08:31

    Good photography eith picturesque description!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown15 November 2015 at 10:53

    Lovely travelogue with vivid description of the places of attraction and complimenting well taken photographs. Well done by all means.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown15 November 2015 at 10:53

    Lovely travelogue with vivid description of the places of attraction and complimenting well taken photographs. Well done by all means.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown15 November 2015 at 10:53

    Lovely travelogue with vivid description of the places of attraction and complimenting well taken photographs. Well done by all means.

    ReplyDelete

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In search of Pattern in Chaos.
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