Thimphu
- Region
- Western Bhutan
- Altitude
- 2,320 m
- Best time
- September–November for Thimphu Tshechu and dry, clear weather
- Getting there
- About 1.5 hours by road from Paro International Airport
Thimphu is Bhutan’s capital and, at around 2,320 metres, sits a little higher than Paro. It’s the only capital city in the world without a traffic light — a white-gloved police officer directs the main junction by hand instead. Above the town, the 51-metre bronze Buddha Dordenma statue looks out over the valley.
Below it, Tashichho Dzong houses the throne room and government offices, and opens to visitors outside office hours. Thimphu’s weekend market draws farmers from across the valley selling produce, cheese and incense, and Thimphu Tshechu, the capital’s own festival, runs each autumn. Our visa and immigration guide covers what to bring on arrival; Bhutan’s National Statistics Bureau (opens in a new tab) publishes population and altitude data for the valley.
Things to see in Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong
The great whitewashed dzong at the northern end of Thimphu holds the throne room, the King's offices and several ministries, and in summer the Central Monastic Body. First built as a dzong by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1641, it was rebuilt by the Third King in the 1960s.
Buddha Dordenma
A gilded bronze Buddha more than 50 metres tall on the hill of Kuensel Phodrang, looking over the southern approach to Thimphu. Completed in 2015 for the Fourth King's 60th birth anniversary, it holds 125,000 smaller Buddhas and has wide views of the valley.
National Memorial Chorten
A white chorten with a golden spire in the middle of town, built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. All day, older residents walk clockwise around it and turn its big prayer wheels. It is the easiest place in Thimphu to watch everyday faith.
Simtokha Dzong
Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha was the first dzong he built and is one of the oldest in Bhutan still standing whole. It sits on a ridge about 5 km south of the city centre and is known for the carved slate panels of saints and masters on its outer walls.
Textile Museum, Royal Textile Academy
The Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan in Chubachu runs the country's main textile museum, under the patronage of the Queen Mother, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck. One gallery shows the weaves of each region and another holds changing exhibitions, and there is a weaving centre where you can watch the work.
Changangkha Lhakhang
One of the oldest temples in Thimphu, on a ridge above the town, linked to Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and his family, who brought the Drukpa Kagyu school to western Bhutan in the 13th century. Its main image is Chenrezig, the deity of compassion, and parents bring newborn babies here for blessings and names.
Motithang Takin Preserve
A fenced area of forest in Motithang where you can see the takin, Bhutan's national animal, up close. It began as a small zoo; when the Fourth King had the animals released, the takins wandered the streets of Thimphu, so they were given this preserve instead.
Kaja Throm (Centenary Farmers' Market)
Thimphu's main food market by the Wang Chhu, opened in 2008 as the Centenary Farmers' Market and long known as the weekend market. After a renovation it was renamed Kaja Throm in 2024. Farmers and traders sell vegetables, fruit, grains and dairy produce from across the country.
Places near Thimphu
Paro
Home to Bhutan's only international airport and the trail up to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest monastery.
Punakha
The former capital, warmer and lower than Paro or Thimphu, built around a dzong at the meeting of two rivers.
Haa Valley
A high, quiet valley over Chele La from Paro, with 7th-century temples, herding villages and buckwheat dumplings called hoentay.
Planning a trip that includes Thimphu?
Tell us when you would like to travel. We reply within 24 hours with a free day-by-day plan and a price.
Karma ChodenOperations manager, Bhutan Tour Itinerary
Or call +975 17 81 70 52info@bhutantouritinerary.com
Mon–Sat, 9am–6pm Bhutan time (GMT+6)