Thimphu is unlike any other capital city in the world. If you come here expecting skyscrapers and gridlocked traffic, you’re in for a pleasant surprise! Instead, Bhutan’s capital is surrounded by terraced green fields, and traditionally designed architecture bestows a sense of timelessness and grace even upon its city centre. Thimphu thrives on the balance between tradition and modernity; you’ll encounter crimson-robed monks chatting on smartphones and teenagers in Western attire paying their respects at local temples. Take an afternoon stroll to discover shops selling handmade textiles and religious offerings—right next door to pizzerias and modern cafes. Many visitors quickly fall in love with these anomalies; they represent a true microcosm of Bhutanese society, poised between the old and the new.

While some of Bhutan’s most famous attractions lie outside the confines of Thimphu, you should resist the temptation to rush through this fascinating capital city. Raven Tours and Treks will take you beyond the usual tourist stops, bringing you closer to the people of Thimphu and their way of life. From ancient monasteries and lhakhangs to a multitude of hiking trails cutting across the region’s rolling hills, there are points of interest here for travelers interested in the spiritual and the secular alike. Nowhere else in the country serves as a better introduction to Bhutan, and partnering with Raven Tours and Treks will allow you to make the most of your time in the capital.

While there’s no airport in Thimphu, the capital city is only about an hour’s drive from Paro and its international airport. Most tourists visit both cities, and Raven Tours and Treks can create an itinerary which combines the highlights of Paro and Thimphu according to your specific interests and needs. 

Tashichhoedzong:

This magnificent fortress is the beating heart of Thimphu, holding both its government and monastic bodies. Even the king’s own throne room is housed within its massive walls. Tashichhoedzong is also a cultural focal point of the city, hosting the annual Thimphu Tsechu and attracting visitors throughout the year. Both tourists and locals are drawn to the northern assembly hall, which contains a large statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha. Tashichhoedzong may also be the best example of traditional Bhutanese architecture in the entire capital. Its white walls, large central tower, and many murals and mandalas maintain a sense of majesty and grandeur that lingers with each visitor long after they’ve departed the fortress itself.

Buddha Dordenma:

The Shakyamuni Buddha is the historical Buddha, who achieved enlightenment and dedicated his life to teaching others and spreading the compassionate message of Buddhism. Memorials to the Buddha exist all over Bhutan, but the most impressive must be the larger-than-life statue near Thimphu, which depicts the Buddha at the precise moment of his enlightenment. This statue is constructed of bronze and rises to approximately 54 meters over the rolling green hills of Thimphu. It’s one of the most photographed attractions in the valley, and for good reason: the statue takes on a different aspect throughout the day, alternately bathed in light and shadow. The site also connects with a number of scenic trails throughout the adjacent Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.

Museums and History:

Museums aren’t just a last resort for rainy days when you’re in Thimphu. The capital is home to some of the most fascinating and unique historical establishments in the country. Visit the National Textile Museum to learn about Bhutan’s rich tradition of thagzo, or weaving. The museum even trains weavers who are now learning this timeless art. Additional traditional skills are taught at Thimphu’s National Institute of Zorig Chusum. Students here learn the 13 traditional crafts of Bhutan, which include calligraphy, thangka painting, and embroidery, among others. But Bhutan’s most unexpected museum comes in the form of the General Post Office and Postal Museum, where you’ll find a comprehensive collection of Bhutan’s colorful stamps. You’ll even have the chance to use a photo of yourself to create a customized, one-of-a-kind stamp.

Motithang Takin Reserve:

Did you know that Bhutan has a national animal? This honour belongs to none other than the quirky takin, which resembles something between a musk ox and a sheep. Its huge head and small horns are popular with photographers, who visit Thimphu’s Motithang Takin Reserve to capture the animal in its natural habitat. Other examples of Himalayan fauna can also be found in the reserve, such as the sambar deer and barking deer. More than eight acres have been set aside for these animals to enjoy a free-roaming lifestyle. The reserve is also connected with several scenic hikes around the valley, so it’s easy to incorporate the Motithang Takin Reserve into a day of sightseeing.

Thimphu Tsechu:

Visit Tashichhoedzong to partake in the capital’s most exciting cultural event: the Thimphu Tsechu. This three-day festival is held each year in September or October and is marked by colourful masked dances and spirited religious celebrations. Like all tsechus in Bhutan, the festival honours Guru Rinpoche with dances known as the “Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche” and the “Dance of the Stags.” But the Thimphu Tsechu is unique, forming one part of the larger Thimphu Drubchen, which stretches across five days. This longer event specifically commemorates the achievements of Palden Lhamo, a female protective tantric deity. As a visitor, you’ll be awed by the vibrant traditional attire proudly worn by locals, and you’ll also enjoy the opportunity to browse food and souvenir stalls set up by attendees from all over the country.  

Hiking and Exploration:

Thimphu is unlike any other capital in the world, offering a bounty of outdoor activities and cultural attractions just outside its city limits. Taking a day hike across the valley’s green hills is one of the best ways to enjoy these sights. One full-day option will bring you from the Motithang Takin Reserve all the way to Dungtsho Lake, trekking amongst beautiful rhododendron bushes and earning sublime mountain views. Another popular spot for day hikes is Dodena, only half an hour’s drive from Thimphu. From here, you can walk to the hilltop Cheri Monastery by following a pleasant riverside trail. You can also take an alternate route to reach the adjacent Tango Monastery, which is home to a cave where a famous lama once meditated. Raven Tours and Treks can even introduce you to a few lesser-known paths that will bring you through some of the picturesque villages surrounding Thimphu.

Monastery Tour:

Bhutan is famous for Paro Takstang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery near Paro. But the hills around Thimphu are dotted with splendid monasteries and fascinating lhakhangs that many tourists don’t get the chance to visit. Raven Tours and Treks can arrange for a full-day tour of these sites, starting with a visit to the Memorial Chorten in town before hiking to Cheri Monastery and Tango Monastery. For more adventurous hikers, the longer path leading to Phajoding Monastery is an especially rewarding way to spend the afternoon. You’ll enjoy exceptional views of the valley while trekking in the peaceful countryside, and you’ll have the opportunity to connect with Thimphu’s greatest treasure: its people.