Drukgyel Dzong
Highlights
- At the head of the Paro valley
- Marks a 1649 victory over Tibetan invaders
- Rebuilt by traditional methods, finished in 2022
Built in 1649 at the head of the Paro valley to mark victory over Tibetan invaders, the fortress of the victorious Drukpas burned in 1951 and stood as a ruin for decades. Rebuilt with traditional methods on the King's command from 2016, the work was completed in December 2022.
Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
More to see in Paro
Tiger's Nest Monastery
Paro Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, clings to a cliff about 900 metres above the Paro valley. Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated in its cave in the 8th century; the temples you visit today were first built in 1692 and rebuilt after a fire in 1998.
Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong)
Rinpung Dzong, consecrated in 1646, is Paro's fortress-monastery: home to the district monk body and government offices, and the setting for the Paro Tshechu each spring. You reach it on foot across a covered wooden bridge over the Paro Chhu.
Chele La Pass
Chele La is the road pass between Paro and the Haa Valley, usually given as 3,988 metres. On a clear morning you can see Jomolhari from the prayer flags at the top. Most people stop here on the drive into Haa, or walk down to Kila Goemba nunnery.
National Museum of Bhutan
Bhutan's first museum has been housed since 1968 in Ta Dzong, the round watchtower built in 1649 above Paro Dzong. Restored after the 2011 earthquake and reopened in 2020, it holds thangkas, masks, bronzes, old weapons, postage stamps and natural history displays.
Kyichu Lhakhang
One of Bhutan's oldest temples, traditionally dated to 659 and credited to the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo as one of 108 temples built to pin down a demoness. Its Jowo Shakyamuni statue is revered as highly as the Jowo in Lhasa. It is a few minutes' drive north of Paro town.
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