Best Places To Visit In Bhutan: Sights & Attractions

In the towering Himalayas, the kingdom of Bhutan feels like a world pulled straight out of a fairytale. Places to visit in Bhutan are nature lovers’ paradise, where ancient monasteries cling to cliffs, prayer flags flutter in the mountain breeze, and every corner seems to tell stories. 

Known as the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon,’ this tiny kingdom is also known as ‘the Kingdom of Happiness.’ Bhutan’s approach to development is based on the Buddhist idea of the ‘middle way’, or the pursuit of balance and happiness. It’s a land where spirituality meets adventure, where you can trek through lush valleys, talk to monks about life’s deeper meanings, or simply soak in the breathtaking beauty of snow-capped peaks and untouched forests. Bhutan isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left, opening your heart and mind in ways you never imagined.

List of Places to Visit in Bhutan

1. Paro Taktsang
2. Punakha Dzong
3. National Museum of Bhutan
4. Paro Valley
5. Gangtey Valley
6. Dochula Pass
7. Trashigang
8. Haa Valley
9. Chele La, Paro
10. Punakha Suspension Bridge

Nestled in the Himalayas, where prayer flags dance, Bhutan whispers tales of peace in a timeless trance. Let’s explore the best Bhutan tourist attractions. Bhutan is one of the cheapest countries for Indians to visit, and the rest of the world loves the Land of Thunder Dragon, too.

Paro Taktsang

One of the first pictures you get to see when you Google places to see in Bhutan is Paro Taktsang, also referred to as the Tiger’s Nest. At 3,120 meters above sea level, the charming monastery is tucked away between valleys and mountain rocks. As a symbol of Buddhism in Bhutan, this site is very important, revered, and a must-see destination in the country. 

Guru Rinpoche, the creator of Vajrayana Buddhism, is believed to have flown there on the back of a tiger and meditated in the cave surrounded by the monastery’s seven temples. The trek to the monastery is around two kilometres and takes around 2-3 hours of hiking through breathtaking views of the mountains.

How to Reach:	2-3 hour hike from the base near Paro town
Things to Do:	Hike to the monastery, enjoy panoramic mountain views, and explore the temple complex.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Paro Valley, National Museum of Bhutan
Distance from Paro Airport:	12 km (30 min drive + hike)

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong, an outstanding architectural masterpiece that means ‘great pleasure’ or ‘joy castle,’ was built in 1637. This palace takes great pride in being Bhutan’s second oldest and largest Dzong. Its high white walls create a beautiful contrast to the surrounding greens and blues, making it a worth-visiting heritage site among places to visit in Bhutan. 

The Dzong holds a sacred place in the hearts of all Bhutanese and is of great importance as all the kings of Bhutan are crowned here. Punakha Dzong’s glamour is particularly striking in the spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees are in full bloom. Among tourist places to visit in Bhutan, this castle of joy is a must-visit.

How to Reach:	3-4 hour drive from Paro via Thimphu.
Things to Do:	Explore the dzong, admire the architecture, and visit the nearby suspension bridge.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Punakha Suspension Bridge, Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple).
Distance from Paro Airport:	125 km (4-hour drive).

National Museum of Bhutan

The National Museum of Bhutan is housed in a historic watchtower from the 17th century in Paro. The museum promotes and conserves Bhutan’s rich cultural and religious heritage. This museum is even more interesting because it houses a temple and an art gallery together, making it a great Bhutan tourist spot. Among the two important temples, one is the temple Tshogzhing Lhakhang, representing the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and the temple Namsey Lhakhang, dedicated to the wealth deity Namthoesey and his entourage. 

With a collection of 3,000 objects, the museum features thematic exhibitions of holy arts, coin collections, stamps, jewellery, textiles, and weapons spread across its six floors of galleries.

How to Reach:	10-minute drive from Paro town.
Things to Do:	Explore Bhutanese art, artefacts, and historical exhibits.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Paro Dzong, Paro Valley.
Distance from Paro Airport:	6 km (15 min drive).

Paro Valley

Taking a flight to Bhutan, this town will be where you will first land. Bhutan’s historic town Paro, located along the banks of the Paro Chu River in the middle of Paro Valley, is blessed with several landmarks and historic structures. Paro is Bhutan’s most fertile and ancient valleys and the country’s only international airport. It is home to 155 14th-century temples and monasteries. 

The upper reaches of this charming town are covered in evergreen trees, while the valley is dotted with farmhouses and terraced paddy fields. The most famous of Paro’s many temples is the Taktsang Lhakhang, sometimes called the Tiger’s Nest, which is located at the valley’s northernmost point. The National Museum, which houses hundreds of old Bhutanese antiques and artworks, is also located there. Among places to visit in Bhutan, Paro Valley is a must-visit.

How to Reach:	Easily accessible from Paro town.
Things to Do:	Visit monasteries, hike to Tiger’s Nest, and enjoy local culture.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Rinpung Dzong, National Museum, Kyichu Lhakhang.
Distance from Paro Airport:	4 km (10 min drive).

Gangtey Valley

One of Bhutan’s most stunning locations is the expansive glacial valley of Gangtey, also known as Phobjikha Valley, which is located near the country’s middle. The sacred and protected area is incredibly diverse and is home to some of the rarest and most exotic wildlife species, such as the globally endangered black-necked cranes, which come from the Tibetan Plateau each year.  It is believed that along with their sacred arrival comes a good potato harvest and prosperity for the valley. 

The Gangtey Monastery, which is located at the head of the valley, is one of the most significant religious places that Gangtey in Bhutan has to offer. Here, adventurers, too, can enjoy a variety of nature trails and breathtaking valley views, making it one of the most interesting places to visit in Bhutan. 

How to Reach:	5-6 hours drive from Paro via Dochula Pass.
Things to Do:	Visit Gangtey Monastery, spot black-necked cranes, and trek the nature trails
Places to Visit Nearby:	Black-Necked Crane Center, Gangtey Nature Trail.
Distance from Paro Airport:	200 km (6-hour drive).

Dochula Pass

India and Bhutan have always held a strong relationship, but one dark historical incident between the two nations led to the construction of Dochula Pass. The Dochula Pass is a historical landmark built to honour the bravery and sacrifices of the fourth king and the soldiers who lost their lives during the battle against Assamese insurgents in 2003. It notably marks the victory of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. 

The Pass is a beautiful mountain pass between Thimphu and Punakha in Bhutan at an altitude of 3,100 meters and gives panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains. It features 108 chortens (stupas) built in honour of Bhutanese soldiers. With breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Dochula Pass promises an unforgettable experience. Among the places to visit in Bhutan, Dochula Pass deserves to be a top spot.

How to Reach:	1-hour drive from Thimphu on the way to Punakha
Things to Do:	Enjoy Himalayan views, visit 108 stupas, and explore Druk Wangyal Monastery.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Thimphu City, Punakha Dzong.
Distance from Paro Airport:	75 km (2.5-hour drive).

Trashigang

Trashigang is the largest district in Bhutan and a thriving centre of cultural diversity, 1,200 meters above sea level. It is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, traditional Bhutanese architecture, and rich cultural legacy and is a major entry point to eastern Bhutan. With stunning vistas along the winding roads leading to this enchanted location, the journey to Trashigang is an adventure in itself. Every traveller will remember the trip as it passes through picturesque villages, hillside cliffs, and flourishing valleys.

A highlight of Trashigang is the yearly Trashigang Tsechu, a colourful festival with traditional dances and festivities that attracts tourists from all around Bhutan. Among places to visit in Bhutan, Trashigang is a must-visit for culture and heritage lovers.

How to Reach:	Domestic flight to Yonphula Airport (near Trashigang) or a 10-hour drive from Paro.
Things to Do:	Visit Trashigang Dzong, explore traditional villages, and attend the Tsechu festival.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Rangjung Monastery, Khaling National Handloom.
Distance from Paro Airport:	550 km (10-hour drive).

Haa Valley

The breathtaking Haa Valley is located in the valley that borders Tibet to the west and is adjacent to the Paro district. Known to Bhutanese as the ‘hidden-land rice valley,’ this small area is one of the country’s most picturesque and remote spots. This area has maintained its historic charm and, fortunately, has not been ruined since foreign tourists have just been permitted to enter there in the last 17 years or so.

This remote area is made up of snow-capped peaks, expansive rice, wheat, and barley fields, pristine alpine forests, and a river called Haa Chuu that flows through the centre of the valley to Mount Jomolhari and is arguably one of the nation’s most enchanting valley. Among places to visit in Bhutan, Haa Valley is a must-visit to explore remote spots.

How to Reach:	2-hour drive from Paro via Chele La Pass.
Things to Do:	Enjoy scenic landscapes, explore temples, and hike the valley trails.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Lhakhang Karpo & Lhakhang Nagpo (White & Black Temples), Chele La Pass.
Distance from Paro Airport:	65 km (2-hour drive).

Chele La, Paro

Chele La is among one of the most stunning places to visit in Bhutan, located 36 miles from Paro Town and about 4,000 meters above sea level. Visitors along the route can witness roadside springs, forests, waterfalls, dense spruce, and larch forests.

It is a breathtaking location that separates Paro Valley from Haa Valley and offers breathtaking views of snow-capped hills. Admire the breathtaking Himalayas from here, which include Jichu Drake, the Tsherimgang Mountains, and Mt. Jhomolari, Bhutan’s holiest peak.

How to Reach:	1.5-hour drive from Paro town.
Things to Do:	Enjoy Himalayan views, trek along scenic trails, spot yaks and rhododendrons.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Haa Valley, Kila Nunnery.
Distance from Paro Airport:	40 km (1.5-hour drive).

Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha

If you like an adrenaline rush, the Punakha Suspension Bridge, among the places to visit in Bhutan, is worth visiting on your trip. It is one of Bhutan’s longest suspension bridges, measuring 160 meters long. The bridge connects Punakha Town and Punakha Dzong.

Photographers visiting Punakha Dzong are delighted by this picture-perfect bridge covered in prayer flags. It provides stunning views of the river below and the verdant hills surrounding it, all while showcasing the captivating Dzong. Your heart will race if you take a walk over this bridge. Among Bhutan sightseeing places, this bridge deserves to be a top spot.

How to Reach:	5-minute walk from Punakha Dzong.
Things to Do:	Walk across the bridge, capture scenic views, and enjoy the thrill.
Places to Visit Nearby:	Punakha Dzong, Mo Chhu River trails.
Distance from Paro Airport:	125 km (4-hour drive).

Explore Places to Visit in Bhutan with TripzyGo

Bhutan, a country well known worldwide for its dedication to ‘Gross National Happiness’ and its carbon-negative status, has made a concerted effort to preserve its distinctive culture and scenic beauty. Places to visit in Bhutan are rich in outdoor activities, with picturesque towns showcasing a pure Buddhist culture rapidly fading from other areas of the Himalayas. Nearly 70% of the country is covered in deep pine, oak, and rhododendron woods. There is something for every traveller among places to visit in Bhutan, whether they are interested in Buddhist spirituality, mountain trekking, Himalayan landscapes, or other things. 

Travel with TripzyGo and enjoy hassle-free travel, carefully planned itineraries, and knowledgeable advice to make your trip one to remember. Let us take you on a journey where faith, culture, and environment coexist!