Bhutan

Places in Bhutan

• Bajothang

  Bajothang (also called Bajo) is the administrative center of Wangdue Phodrang District—the largest town in the area—but offers little for travelers. The town is described as a chessboard of uninspired concrete blocks with no charm.

  Atlas entry

• Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary

  Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary offers one of Bhutan's most remote wilderness experiences, protecting 1,550 km² of alpine forest and grassland in the northeastern corner of the country. The sanctuary provides crucial habitat for endangered species including snow leopards, red pandas, and black necked cranes that winter here.

  Atlas entry

• Damphu

  Damphu is the administrative capital of Tsirang District in Central Bhutan, serving as a convenient transit point on the north-south highway between Wangdue Phodrang and Gelephu on the Indian border. The town stands out for its attractive appearance, with buildings adorned by potted plants on windowsills and public spaces filled with shrubs, creating a pleasant environment by Bhutanese modern town standards.

  Atlas entry

• Gelephu

  Gelephu serves as one of Bhutan's two main border crossings with India, making it an essential stop for travelers entering or leaving Bhutan overland. Unlike most Bhutanese towns squeezed into valleys or hilltops, Gelephu sits on a spacious plain with tree-lined streets, pleasant villas, and green spaces.

  Atlas entry

• Jakar

  Jakar is the principal administrative town of Bumthang district, set at 2,580 m in the Choekor Valley—often called "Little Switzerland" for its tree-covered mountains and open meadows. As Bhutan's center of Vajrayana Buddhism, particularly the Nyingma tradition, it offers access to some of the kingdom's holiest monasteries including Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang.

  Atlas entry

• Jigme Dorji National Park

  Jigme Dorji National Park is Bhutan's largest protected area, covering over 4,300 km² across Gasa, Thimphu, and Paro districts. The park offers sanctuary for endangered species including snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan black bears.

  Atlas entry

• Khuruthang

  Khuruthang is a small city in Punakha district located a few kilometers from Punakha. The town itself is described as totally devoid of charm with brutish concrete architecture, but it serves as the final destination for shared taxis coming from Thimphu.

  Atlas entry

• Lhuentse

  Atlas entry

• Mebisa

  Mebisa, formally called Chukha, is a small town in Chukha district in western Bhutan with a population of 2,855. It is best understood as a brief Bhutan transit stop rather than a place to linger: the article describes it as a new town built around a hydroelectric plant in a lush valley, but says the town itself resembles a jumble of tenement blocks.

  Atlas entry

• Paro

  Paro has sacred sites and historic buildings scattered throughout its green valley. Traditional wooden structures along the main street add to the town's architectural appeal.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$162

  Best months

  Mar–May, Sep–Nov

• Phuentsholing

  Phuentsholing is Bhutan's second-largest town and the main entry point for Indian tourists arriving via train or flight to nearby Siliguri. While the town lacks historical landmarks, it offers a pleasant pedestrian zone around Zangtopelri Temple and shares Bhutan's hallmark qualities of cleanliness and safety.

  Atlas entry

• Punakha

  Punakha served as Bhutan's capital from the 17th century until 1955, and the town still radiates a regal yet peaceful aura. The majestic Punakha Dzong sits on an island between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, constructed without nails or blueprints, making it one of the most photogenic fortresses in all of Bhutan.

  Atlas entry

• Samdrup Jongkhar

  Samdrup Jongkhar is a trading hub for Bhutanese and Indian businesses and serves as a gateway for travelers heading into Eastern Bhutan. The town has a clean, welcoming feel with a mix of Bhutanese and Indian shops, restaurants, and hotels.

  Atlas entry

• Tashiyangtse

  Tashiyangtse is considered one of the more picturesque towns in Bhutan. It serves as a convenient base for visiting sacred Buddhist sites and for bird watching, particularly the endangered black-necked crane which winters in nearby Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary.

  Atlas entry

• Thimphu

  Thimphu centers on Tashichho Dzong, a whitewashed complex serving government and monastic life. Changangkha Lhakhang offers another setting for Buddhist traditions and morning prayers.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$158

  Best months

  Mar–May, Sep–Nov

• Trashigang

  Trashigang is the largest town in eastern Bhutan's district, serving as a convenient base for venturing into surrounding villages and mountains. The traditional architecture and narrow streets give it a quaint feel reminiscent of an Italian or Cornish fishing village.

  Atlas entry

• Trongsa

  Trongsa is one of Bhutan's most historic towns, founded when the first monastery was built here in 1543. The town served as the original seat of power for the House of Wangchuck before they became Bhutan's ruling dynasty in 1907, and all Bhutanese kings are still first appointed as penlop (governor) of Trongsa before taking the throne.

  Atlas entry