Bhutan Travel Guide

The Taktsang Monastery in Paro, popularly known as the Tiger's Nest, is one of the holiest Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan. Legend has it that the second Buddha, Master Padmasambhava, flew here on a tiger in the 8th century, subdued a demon and meditated in a cave. The Tiger's Nest is built on a cliff at an altitude of about 3120 meters. After a trek with a magnificent view of the beautiful natural scenery is the front door. Entering the temple, you can see the glittering lights, golden dome, idols and a huge statue of a tiger carved out of a rock in the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas.

Standing majestically at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (Father) and Mo Chhu (Mother) rivers, Punakha Dzong is undoubtedly one of Bhutan's finest architectural masterpieces. It is also the administrative center of Punakha district, where all the kings of Bhutan have been crowned. The temple is impressive, with tall Budha statues and well-maintained grounds. You can also see the towering whitewashed walls that surround the dzong, and the lush jacaranda trees that bloom with mauve flowers in spring. It looks even more stunning at night when all the lights of the palace are on.

Put on your comfortable shoes and take a walk along the winding path that leads down into the enchanting valley. Climb to the top of the hill to breathe in the fresh air and admire the whole village, or walk past the flowering meadows down to the quiet river path with its pretty local houses. Cross the bridge with colorful flags waving in the breeze, where you can meet some monks who sometimes pass by. Ask for directions or just follow the path the monk is on and you will come to the delicate temple you can see from above.

Archery is a prominent national sport in Bhutan. Walking through the streets of Bhutan, you'll find colorful archery grounds, decorated with special flagpoles and flags, where locals dressed in traditional costumes take turns shooting arrows. It is nice to admire their delicate archery, but more importantly, you can be one of them to join the game. No matter if you are a veteran or a beginner, just join in and they will be warm to teach you how to draw a bow and fire arrows at the target. Just relax and enjoy this charming part of their culture.

Bhutan is also a well-known stamp country in the world, where you can try your hand at making your own stamps at the National Post Office Headquoters. Located in downtown Thimphu, the post office offers personalized avatar stamps for customers. Choose your favorite photos and place them on the background, then your avatar stamps will be successfully printed with the help of staff. It’s a good idea to send your friends or family a letter with this unique stamp. If you want to keep it, seed yourself a postcard there, which could be a special experience when you get your own letter back home.