my next stop

Bhutan

Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong)

A capital without traffic lights, built around a white-walled dzong

HeritageCultureSpiritual

Best time to visit Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: March to April and October to November
  • Shoulder: May to June, September and December to February, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: July to August

Planning a specific month? MarchAprilOctoberNovember

Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong) season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Dec to Feb is cold and dry with clear skies; Dochu La often shows a white Himalayan skyline and hotel rates soften.

Summer March to May Prime time

Mar to May is mild and bright, rhododendrons flower on the passes and the weekend market fills with spring produce.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Jun and Sep are fine between showers, and the Tshechu falls in Sep in some years; Jul and Aug are the wettest, cloudiest weeks.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Oct and Nov bring clear skies and crisp air, ideal for the dzong, the Buddha Dordenma and the walk up to Cheri.

What Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong) is actually like

Cafes, craft shops and archery matches; monks, office workers and students share momo joints along Norzin Lam.

Things to do in Thimphu

The local places worth your time in and around Thimphu, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Buddha Dordenma

    Shrine · 5 km out

    A 51.5 m gilded bronze Buddha on Kuensel Phodrang hill, filled with thousands of small Buddhas, with wide views over the city.

  • National Memorial Chorten

    Shrine · 3 km out

    White stupa built in 1974 in memory of the third king; elderly residents circle it all day spinning prayer wheels.

  • Centenary Farmers' Market

    Market · 2 km out

    Riverside market of chillies, datshi cheese and red rice; cross the cantilever footbridge to the craft stalls.

  • Changangkha Lhakhang

    Temple · 1 km out

    12th-century hilltop temple where parents bring newborns to be named, with a wide view over the valley.

  • Motithang Takin Preserve

    Wildlife · 2 km out

    Small reserve on the edge of town to see the takin, Bhutan's odd-looking national animal, at close range.

  • Cheri Monastery

    Monastery · 12 km out

    Founded in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal; a steep forest climb of about 1 h from the road head at Dodena.

  • Dochu La

    Viewpoint · 11 km out

    Pass at about 3,100 m on the Punakha road with 108 memorial chortens; on clear winter days the high Himalaya lines up.

Getting to Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong)

Paro airport is 50 km, about 1 h 15 min; Phuentsholing is 175 km, 5 to 6 h. Entry permit covers Thimphu

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Easy solo
Altitude
2337 m
Country
Bhutan
Coordinates
27.4894, 89.6350

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong)?

March to April and October to November is peak season in Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong). May to June, September and December to February is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid July to August. Mar to May is mild and bright, rhododendrons flower on the passes and the weekend market fills with spring produce.

How many days do you need in Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong)?

2 days is the usual stay. Cafes, craft shops and archery matches; monks, office workers and students share momo joints along Norzin Lam.

How do you get to Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong)?

Paro airport is 50 km, about 1 h 15 min; Phuentsholing is 175 km, 5 to 6 h. Entry permit covers Thimphu. Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Easy solo.

Is there a festival in Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong)?

Thimphu Tshechu (Sep or Oct). Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Thimphu?

Buddha Dordenma, National Memorial Chorten, Centenary Farmers' Market, Changangkha Lhakhang, Motithang Takin Preserve and Cheri Monastery, and more. A 51.5 m gilded bronze Buddha on Kuensel Phodrang hill, filled with thousands of small Buddhas, with wide views over the city.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Bhutan

All 15 destinations in Bhutan