Thimphu is the capital of the mountainous country of Bhutan, and it is a city with an exciting history and attractions. Thimphu is a city that dates back to the 13th century, but at that time it was just a small village. For many centuries, there was only a limited population here, and they were mainly farmers and local craftsmen. There were only about 2,000 inhabitants living in Thimphu when the city was designated as the capital of Bhutan in 1955, replacing the then capital Punakha.

The decision to build a new capital was made by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who played a decisive role in modernizing Bhutan. In 1961, Thimphu was officially established as the capital, and an extensive construction plan was launched with help from India. The plan included the construction of government buildings and infrastructure, making Thimphu the political and economic center of the country. Since then, the city has experienced significant population growth, and it has gradually become a modern city with a mix of traditional and modern elements.

Today, Thimphu has a cozy city center and architecture that combines traditional Bhutanese styles with modern building techniques. The center is very manageable in size, and you can start a stroll by experiencing the narrow streets of Chang Lam and Norzin Lam, where you can find various institutions, shops, cafes and restaurants. You can also go to the market area along the Thimphu Chu River, where you can visit the Centenary Farmers Market on the western bank and the Riverside Market with many handicrafts on the opposite side of the river.

One of the most impressive architectural sights in Thimphu is Tashichho Dzong. It is a large Buddhist monastery fortress that today houses government offices and the residence and throne room of the King of Bhutan. Tashichho Dzong is known for its beautiful architecture and well-kept gardens that are located like a park around the building complex. Originally built in the 13th century, Tashichho Dzong has undergone several renovations and expansions, most recently in 1962.

Tashichho Dzong is an impressive example of traditional Bhutanese architecture, with white walls, red roofs and detailed golden decorations, creating an imposing and harmonious structure. The central part of the dzong is the large utse tower, symbolizing a cosmic thunderbolt, and is an important religious element. The tower is surrounded by two-story buildings with three-story towers at each corner, all topped with golden roofs decorated with religious and cultural motifs. Within the walls of Tashichho Dzong are several temples and shrines, such as the iconic Lhakhang Sarp and Gönkhang temples. There are also large courtyards and reception halls used for important ceremonies and events.

Close to Tashichho Dzong in the northern part of Thimphu city center, you can see other important institutional buildings in the capital. Here you will find the Royal Banquet Hall and the Bhutanese parliament, the Gyalyong Tshokhang or National Assembly of Bhutan. The building was built in the 1990s for conferences of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and was later used as the National Assembly of Bhutan. The architecture is a beautiful blend of modern construction and traditional Bhutanese features, which can also be seen at Tashichho Dzong. Inside, there is a finely decorated assembly hall, where there are traditional Bhutanese artworks and symbols that represent the country’s culture and history.

There are also several monuments and religious buildings in various places in Thimphu. The National Memorial Chorten is a beautiful stupa built in memory of the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Druk Gyalpo means Dragon King, and is the title of the country’s head of state. Built in 1974 as a very beautiful small structure, the National Memorial Chorten is a popular place for both locals and tourists to pray and meditate.

Thimphu is also home to several important museums that provide an insight into Bhutan’s rich culture and history. The Simply Bhutan Museum is an interesting museum where visitors can experience traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. Visiting the National Folk Heritage Museum provides an in-depth understanding of Bhutanese village life and their daily activities, while the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan is dedicated to preserving and promoting Bhutanese textile art and traditions. The museum displays an impressive collection of traditional Bhutanese textiles.

South of the center of Thimphu, you can reach Buddha Dordenma, a gigantic statue of Buddha that stands high above the Thimphu Valley. The statue, made of bronze and covered in gold, is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world at a height of 54 meters. It was erected to celebrate the 60th birthday of Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and was completed in September 2015 after almost a decade of construction.

Buddha Dordenma contains 125,000 smaller Buddha statues, which are placed inside the large statue. These smaller statues, which vary in size, are also made of bronze and covered in gold. The statue is not only an impressive work of art, but also a symbol of peace and happiness, and it fulfills two prophecies. The first prophecy, predicted by yogi Sonam Zangpo, was that a large statue of Buddha would be built in the region to bring blessings, peace, and happiness to the entire world. The second prophecy comes from Guru Padmasambhava, also known as the second Buddha, who mentioned the statue in the 8th century.

Buddha Dordenma is located on Kuensel Phodrang, a mountain peak that was formerly home to the palace of Sherab Wangchuk, the thirteenth Druk Desi. The area around the statue has been developed into the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, which opened in 2011 with over 900 hectares of forest. Around the Buddha Dordenma itself there is a large platform that provides a good view of the statue and, not least, an unforgettable panoramic view of the mountains and of Thimphu to the north.