Royal Bhutan

BHUTAN, the land of the peaceful thunder dragon is known to the world by several names such as....The 'the Last Shangri-La' or 'the Last Place on the Roof of the World.' Though the original name from the time of Marco Polo was 'Bootan', the natives prefer to call their country 'Druk Yul', or the Land of the Peaceful Thunder Dragon. Bhutan Tourist Places & Tour Packages Paro Valley : This beautiful valley, where nature and man conjured to create their dearest image, is home to some of Bhutan's oldest temples & monasteries - as well as its only airport. Paro is one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom, producing a bulk of the famous red rice from its terraced fields. Drukgyal dzong, Taktsang Monastery, Rinpung dzong, Ta - dzong Thimphu Valley : Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan, lies at an elevation of 2,300 meters in a valley traversed by the Wang - chu ( Thimphu river ). Taschichho dzong, the main secretariat building, houses the throne rooms of the King and is the summer residence of central monk body. Memorial chorten, Tashichho dzong, Simtokha dzong Punakha : Blessed with temperate climate and fed by Pho-cchu ( male ) and Mo-chu ( female ) rivers Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. Until 1955, Punakha served as the capital and is even today the winter seat of the Je Khenpo ( chief abbot ) and the central monk body. The dzong was built at the junction of the two rivers in the 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Wangdiphodrang : To the south of Punakha, located at the altitude of 1,350 metres, is the Wangdi dzong, built again int he 17th century. The dzong stands at the confluence of Punakhachu and the Tang-chu tiver. The highest reaches of the valley provides rich partureland for cattle. Phubjikha valley in Wangdiphodrang is the winter habitat for the rare black necked cranes. Tongsa : Tongsa forms the central hub of the nation and is historically the place from where attempts at unifying the country were launched. The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end, the dzong seems to tease you, wondering if you will ever reach there. Tongsa dzong Bumthang Valley : To the east of Tongsa lies Bumthang valley, at the altitude of 2,600 meters. This valley is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples. Jambey Ihankhang , Kurje Ihakhang, Tamshing Ihakhang, Jakar dzong Mongar : Mongar is the site of one of Bhutan's newest dzongs, built int he 1930s. Yet the dzong is built in the same method and traditions of all the other dzongs. No drawings and nails have been used. A visit to the dzong gives visitors an impression of how traditional Bhutanese architecture has continued to thrive through the centuries. Tashigang :In the far east of Bhutan, on the bank of the Gamri river, lies Tashigang, the country's largest district. Tashigang dzong stands astride a hill slope below the main street. The dzong, built in the mid 17th century, serves as the administrative seat for the district, as well as the home of the monk body.