Thimphu, Bhutan

Roadside shop in Thimphu, Bhutan

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roadside_shops_north_of_Thimphu.jpg
Author: Stephen Shephard
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Thimphu is the capital and largest city in Bhutan. It has a population of over 80,000 people (2010 estimate). The city is located on the western bank of the Wang Chuu River, also called the Thimphu Chuu River, at a height of about 2,500 meters (8,202 ft) above sea level.

Thimphu dominates Bhutan's economy, contributing close to half of the nation's GNP. This is where you find many of the government buildings such as the National Assembly and the Dechencholing Palace.

National Memorial Chorten

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Memorial_Chorten,_Thimphu.jpg
Author: Stephen Shephard
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Climate of Thimphu

The warmest month in Thimphu is from May to June. However, it is also a wet and humid time. On the other hand, the winters are very cold. The best time to visit is in autumn, between the middle of September to end of October, when you are most likely to get blue skies. Temperature during this time is between 10°C to 23°C.

Arriving in Thimphu

The international airport is not located in Thimphu, but rather in the town of Paro, which is 54 km (34 mi) away. It takes about one hour to get from the airport to the capital. As a tourist, you will most likely have your transfer arranged for you by the tour operator. This most likely will be a bus or van.

Getting around Thimphu

Outside your tour itinerary, you can explore Thimphu on foot, or take a taxi or bus. Taxis have a set rate for places around the city, with the maximum charge set at 60 nu.

Cheri Goemba Monastery

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheri_Goemba_3.jpg
Author: Stephen Shephard
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Places of Interest in Thimphu

Botanical Gardens
A relaxing garden located 10 km from Thimphu city centre.
Changangkha Lhakhang
The oldest temple in Thimphu Valley.
Coronation Park
Park beside the river near the city stadium.
National Folk Heritage Museum
Museum showcasing the rural life in Bhutan.
National Memorial Chorten
This is a chorten, or Tibetan-style stupa, where the locals offer their prayers.
Simtokha Dzong
Built in 1629, this was the first Bhutanese monastic fortress built in a unified Bhutan.
Takin Preserve
A preserve for the takin, a cross between a cow and a goat, regarded as the national animal of Bhutan.
Textile Museum
Museum showcasing exquisite Bhutanese textiles and tapestries.
Trashichhoe Dzong
Monastic fortress housing both religious as well as civic bodies.
Zangthoperi Lhakhang
Temple built in the 1960's with beautiful murals and a collection of Bhutanese art.
Zorig Chusum School of Traditional Arts
School established in 1971 to preserve the traditional arts of Bhutan.

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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