Trashigang
Cliff-edge dzong above two rivers in Bhutan's far east
Best time to visit Trashigang
- Jan, shoulder season
- Feb, shoulder season
- Mar, peak season
- Apr, peak season
- May, shoulder season
- Jun, best avoided
- Jul, best avoided
- Aug, best avoided
- Sep, shoulder season
- Oct, peak season
- Nov, peak season
- Dec, shoulder season
peak shoulder off-season avoid
- Go: March to April and October to November
- Shoulder: May, September and December to February, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
- Skip: June to August
Trashigang season by season
Winter December to February Shoulder
Dec to Feb is mild at about 1,000 m with clear skies; the Tshechu can fall in Dec, with Brokpa herders in full dress.
Summer March to May Prime time
Mar and Apr are pleasant and the Gom Kora spring festival draws pilgrims; by May the valley turns hot and humid.
Monsoon June to September Shoulder
Jun to Aug bring heavy rain and frequent slides on the Mongar and Samdrup Jongkhar roads; Sep is more settled.
Autumn October to November Prime time
Oct and Nov are the best: dry roads, golden rice at Radhi and clear views from the dzong over the Drangme Chhu.
What Trashigang is actually like
Small family hotels and a busy square where Brokpa herders, students from Kanglung and traders mix over momos.
Things to do in Trashigang
The local places worth your time in and around Trashigang, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.
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Gom Kora
Temple · 10 km out
Temple by a black rock where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated; its spring festival draws pilgrims from far around.
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Rangjung Woesel Chholing Monastery
Monastery · 12 km out
Large Nyingma monastery founded in 1990 above Rangjung, with a lively community of young monks.
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Radhi
Village · 15 km out
The rice bowl of the east, where women weave bura raw silk; terraced paddies turn gold before the harvest.
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Drametse Lhakhang
Monastery · 12 km out
Monastery founded in 1511 by Ani Choeten Zangmo, granddaughter of Pema Lingpa; home of the Drametse Ngacham drum dance on UNESCO's list.
Getting to Trashigang
180 km from Samdrup Jongkhar border, 6 to 8 h; Guwahati airport to the border about 3 h. Route permit needed
Practical ways in: road
Trip facts
- How long to stay
- 2 days
- Budget
- Mid-range
- How busy
- Quiet at its peak
- Solo travel
- Fine solo
- Altitude
- 990 m
- Country
- Bhutan
- Coordinates
- 27.3366, 91.5515
Common questions
When is the best time to visit Trashigang?
March to April and October to November is peak season in Trashigang. May, September and December to February is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to August. Mar and Apr are pleasant and the Gom Kora spring festival draws pilgrims; by May the valley turns hot and humid.
How many days do you need in Trashigang?
2 days is the usual stay. Small family hotels and a busy square where Brokpa herders, students from Kanglung and traders mix over momos.
How do you get to Trashigang?
180 km from Samdrup Jongkhar border, 6 to 8 h; Guwahati airport to the border about 3 h. Route permit needed. Practical ways in: road.
Is Trashigang expensive, and does it get crowded?
Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs quiet at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.
Is there a festival in Trashigang?
Trashigang Tshechu (Nov or Dec). 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 Trashigang?
Gom Kora, Rangjung Woesel Chholing Monastery, Radhi and Drametse Lhakhang. Temple by a black rock where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated; its spring festival draws pilgrims from far around.
Nearby, and where to go next
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Trashiyangtse (Chorten Kora)
Bhutan
Whitewashed stupa, woodturners and winter cranes in the far northeast
50 km from Trashigang, roughly about 1 h by road
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Merak and Sakteng
Bhutan
Brokpa yak herder villages in the high pastures of eastern Bhutan
50 km from Trashigang, roughly about 1 h by road
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Tawang
Arunachal Pradesh
Largest Indian monastery, high Himalayan passes
60 km from Trashigang, roughly about 2 h by road
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Zemithang (Gorsam Chorten)
Arunachal Pradesh
Nyamjang Chu valley beyond Tawang under a giant Bhutanese-style chorten
70 km from Trashigang, roughly about 2 h by road
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Lhuentse (Kurtoe)
Bhutan
Ridge-top dzong, kishuthara silk weavers and the royal family's ancestral home
80 km from Trashigang, roughly about 2 h by road
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Ura (Bumthang)
Bhutan
Cobbled hill village of whitewashed houses on the Bumthang to Mongar road
100 km from Trashigang, roughly about 3 h by road
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Dirang
Arunachal Pradesh
Monpa valley with hot springs, en route to Tawang
100 km from Trashigang, roughly about 3 h by road
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Shergaon
Arunachal Pradesh
Sherdukpen pine-forest village at 2,000 m, the quiet turn-off on the Tawang road
110 km from Trashigang, roughly about 3 h by road
More places to visit in Bhutan
- Bumthang (Jakar) Bhutan
- Haa Valley Bhutan
- Jomolhari Base Camp (Jangothang) Bhutan
- Laya Bhutan
- Lhuentse (Kurtoe) Bhutan
- Merak and Sakteng Bhutan
- Paro Valley (Tiger's Nest) Bhutan
- Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey) Bhutan
- Punakha Bhutan
- Royal Manas National Park (Panbang) Bhutan
- Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong) Bhutan
- Trashiyangtse (Chorten Kora) Bhutan
- Trongsa Bhutan
- Ura (Bumthang) Bhutan