Cities in Bhutan
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Valley Towns Along the Lateral Road
Here is the list of 10 Cities in Bhutan
1. Thimphu
Known For : Buddha Dordenma Tashichho Dzong Changangkha Lhakhang
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. This place which has a population of somewhat 80,000 is known to be the largest city located in the country. Made the capital of the nation in the year 1961 this city is also known as the third highest capital in the entire world. An hour drive from Bhutan International Airport located in Paro it is known as a city which has a stronghold of the Bhutanese culture as well as tradition.
Best Time: September to November, March to May
2. Paro
Known For : Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) Rinpung Dzong Paro National Museum of Bhutan
Paro is a small town located in the Paro Valley of Bhutan. This is quite location for someone who enjoys being close to the nature while at the same time appreciated sacred places. This town lies in the centre of valley at a height of about 2280 metres. This town was formed in the year 1985 and consists of colourfully painted shops lined all across the street. This valley is one of the most fertile as well as most historic valley located in Bhutan.
Best Time: September till November.
3. Trongsa
Known For : Trongsa Dzong Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park Chendebji Chorten
Located right in the center of the country, Trongsa is located on top of a cliff which provides a wonderful view of the Black Mountains and the surrounding valleys. Suiting the preferences of both history buffs and nature lovers, Trongsa offers not just an insight into its heritage but also also a treat for the eyes.
Best Time: November to February
4. Phuentsholing
Known For : Bhutan Gate Zangto Pelri Lhakhang Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre
The second largest town in Bhutan, Phuentsholing shares its borders with the Indian State of West Bengal. Serving as an entry point for travellers from Kolkata and Siliguri, it is an important economic hub of Bhutan. An urban centre, it is more developed than most of the towns of Bhutan, yet it has a perfect amount of nature's touch. It offers an experience like nothing else. Home to different communities, it's a worth visiting place in Bhutan.
Best Time: April to June
Bhutan Travel Packages
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7 Days Essential Bhutan Tour: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha & More
Phuentsholing(2N) → Thimphu(2N) → Paro(2N)
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Asia Valleys Tours (5.0
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8 Days - Journey to Land of Happiness: Bhutan Tour Package
Phuntsholing(2N) → Thimphu(2N) → Punakha(1N) → Paro(2N)
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Asia Valleys Tours (5.0
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6 Days Bhutan Tour Package
Paro(2N) → Thimphu(1N) → Phuentsholing(2N)
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Asia Valleys Tours (5.0
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5-Night Bhutan Tshechu Festival Tour with Paro and Thimphu Highlights
Phuentsholing(2N) → Thimphu(1N) → Paro(2N)
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TravellEasy(5.0
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7 Days Bhutan Tour Package
Thimphu(2N) → Phobjikha Valley(1N) → Punakha(1N) → Paro(2N)
5 Day Tour of Magical Bhutan including Paro
Thimphu(2N) → Paro(2N)
5. Jakar
Known For : Jakar Dzong Khurjey Lhakhang Jambey Lhakhang
set at the foothills of the Choekhor Valley, the largest and most beautiful valley in Bumthang, Jakar is richly sprinkled with not just history and religion but also abundant natural beauty. Being surrounded by tree-lined mountain ranges, it proves to be a treat for both history buffs and nature-lovers.
Best Time: March to May, September to November
6. Wangdue Phodrang
Known For : Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park Phobjikha Valley
Being one of the largest Dzongkhags or districts of Bhutan, what Wangue Phodrang has to offer is varied flora and fauna coupled with immense beauty. From a beautiful valley to spiritual monasteries and temples and even some rustic villages, Wangdue would suit the taste bud of not just nature lovers but also those looking for a cultural experience as well.
Best Time: March to May, September to November
7. Samdrup Jongkhar
Known For : Zangto Pelri Lhakhang Bhairav Kunda Shiva Mandir Hanuman Mandir NK Darranga
Samdrup Jongkhar is a small town in South-Eastern Bhutan and is located at the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Its proximity to the Indian border with multiple Indian shopkeepers and hawkers setting up shops here makes it one of the largest urban centres of Bhutan. Samdrup Jongkhar, a beautiful hill-station with elevations ranging from 200m to 3,500m, and is said to be the oldest town in Bhutan.
Best Time: March to May
8. Punakha
Known For : Punakha Dzong Punakha Suspension Bridge Chimi Lhakhang
Punakha is one of the 20 districts (dzongkhags) of Bhutan bordered by the Gasa, Wangdue Phodrang and Thimphu districts. Located at the height of 1200m above sea level, Punakha offers a mesmerising view of the Himalayas. It is also fertile as the two rivers - Po Chhu and Mo Chhu converge here in the Punakha Valley making it an excellent terrain for rice cultivation.
Best Time: March to May
9. Gelephu
Gelephu is a town in Bhutan which is located on the Indian border. The city has a population of about 10,000. Gelephu is filled with traditions that can be traced back to nearly a hundred years ago. The city also consists of many rare animals such as Golden Langurs, Gangetic Dolphins and the Asian One-horned Rhinoceros. Gelephu is very well known for cross border trade, and you can visit this city for some last-minute shopping.
10. Nganglam
Nganglam is a small town in Bhutan which was left unnoticed for several years. The city came into existence recently when a huge cement factory was established. With a population of nearly 2500 people, today, this town is busy and ever-growing. With a warm tropical climate, Nganglam is an excellent place for birdwatching throughout the year.
Bhutan has one city in the ordinary sense and it is Thimphu, the only settlement over a hundred thousand people and the only capital in Asia without a traffic light. Everything else on this list is a valley town, most of them a dzong, a main street and a few hundred houses. Paro has the airport and Taktsang, Punakha has the finest dzong in the country at the meeting of two rivers, Trongsa and Jakar are the central-Bhutan stops on the road east, and Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar are border towns on the Indian plain rather than destinations. Distances are short on the map and long in practice, because the lateral road crosses several passes above 3,000 metres and a hundred kilometres can take four hours. For Indian travellers the entry rules differ from everyone else's, with a lower Sustainable Development Fee and an overland permit route through Phuentsholing rather than a visa, so check the current rate before budgeting. See also monasteries in Bhutan, villages of Bhutan and festivals of Bhutan.
This post was published by Joysurjya Hagjer
FAQs on Cities in Bhutan
What is the capital of Bhutan?
Thimphu, in the west of the country at about 2,300 metres. It is the largest town by a wide margin, holds the Tashichho Dzong and the government, and is famously the only national capital with no traffic lights, junctions being directed by police instead.
Which Bhutanese town should you fly into?
Paro. It has the only international airport, and it is also the base for the walk up to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest. Thimphu is about an hour further on by road, so most itineraries land at Paro and move on the same day.
Do Indian travellers need a visa for Bhutan?
Indian nationals do not need a visa but do need an entry permit, which can be arranged at Phuentsholing on the border or through a tour operator, along with a valid passport or voter ID. The Sustainable Development Fee applies at a lower rate for Indian nationals than for other nationalities, and the amount has been revised more than once, so confirm the current figure before you travel.
How long does it take to travel between Bhutanese towns?
Longer than the distance suggests. Thimphu to Punakha is about 75 km and takes roughly three hours over the Dochula pass, and Thimphu to Bumthang is a full day. The lateral road crossing the country is winding and single-carriageway for most of its length.
Which towns are worth staying in rather than passing through?
Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Jakar in the Bumthang valley are the four most visitors build a trip around. Trongsa is worth a night for its dzong and the road position. The border towns are transit points and rarely warrant a stay beyond the night you arrive.
When is the best time to visit?
March to May and September to November. Spring brings rhododendron and the Paro tsechu, and autumn has the clearest mountain views and the Thimphu tsechu. The monsoon from June to August closes in the views and can block the eastern roads, and winter is cold at altitude though Punakha and the border towns stay mild.
