Places of interest around Bhutan

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Dochula

It is a landmark and heritage place in Bhutan which has plenty of prayer flags and 108 Chortens. The pass is located at an altitude of about 3100 meters above sea level and is about 23 kilometers from the capital of Thimphu. On a clear day a panoramic view of the Bhutanese Himalayas can be seen from here. The 108 chortens and the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang, built by Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to honor His Majesty the Fourth King in 2003, are some of the main attractions there.

Changangkha Lhakhang

Children born in Thimphu are taken to this temple because it is considered the spiritual home of the children born in Chang valley. Situated on a small hill overlooking the Thimphu valley the monastery was built in the 13th century by Lam Phajo Dugom Zhigpo. The central statue in the temple is Avaloketesvara, Buddha of compassion, in his manifestation with 11 heads, a thousand hands and eyes; it is built with bronze and plated with gold.

Zorig Chusum

It is a famous painting school which provides valuable lessons on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. The institute offers an eight-year course in the techniques of traditional art in 13 traditional arts such as painting, woodcarving, clay sculpture, mask making and so on. The institute also teaches traditional thangkha painting and a few foreigners come to Bhutan to learn the art. The institute has a showroom where works of students are sold at reasonable price.

Buddha Point

One of the most engaging points in Thimphu, the actual name of this landmark is Kuensel Phodrang. Its name is due to the presence of the country’s largest statue of Buddha that exists here. The 51.5 meter bronze statue is three storied with several chapels. The body of Buddha is filled with 125000 smaller statues of Buddha. The well paved road leading to the Buddha is mostly used for drives, cycling, jogging and walk apart from those who go there to pay homage to Buddha.

Memorial Chorten

The Chorten was consecrated in the memory of the Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck on July 28, 1974, following his unexpected death while travelling outside the country. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist culture here. The whitewashed Chorten has four stone snowlines guarding the four corners. It is a very popular religious monument in the city and the sight of elderly people circumambulating around the Chorten is a common during the day and night.