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Tashichho Dzong Overview

Tashichho Dzong is a gorgeous Buddhist monastery and fortress on the bank of the Wang Chu river in the northern edge of Thimphu city in Bhutan. In Bhutanese language the Dzong refers to a“Fortress” and every district in the country is blessed with this unique architecture, make sure to include this in your Bhutan packages.

Tashichho Dzong is a gorgeous Buddhist monastery and fortress on the bank of the Wang Chu river in the northern edge of Thimphu city in Bhutan. In Bhutanese language the Dzong refers to a“Fortress” and every district in the country is blessed with this unique architecture.

Also famous by the moniker “Thimphu Dzong”, this elaborate structure takes you back in time. Located beside the Wangchu River, it looks like an attractive painting out of a textbook. The impressive structure is in its full glory all throughout the spring season, when all the blossoms decorate the entire place.

This serene palace also houses a monastery and temple. Currently, it also acts as the chief administrative building, housing the Bhutanese government. Offices of other departments are set across the building. The Dzong also serves as the summer residence of His Holiness who also is the Chief Abbot of the Religious Body.

With so much to uncover within its perimeter we are sure that a visit to this place will be a rewarding experience, that you will treasure forever.

How To Reach

By Road:

The nearest airport to Tashichho Dzong is the Paro International Airport which lies 54 km away from Thimphu and takes around 45mins to 50 mins to reach Tashichho Dzong. One can book a cab from the Paro International Airport to reach Thimphu.

 

By Bus:

Buses are the most convenient way of reaching the Tashichho Dzong. Alternatively, when you land at Paro Airport, instead of hiring a car, step on buses waging from Thimphu to Tashichho Dzong. The overall journey might be time-consuming around 1 hour 20mins but it will take you directly to the place. 

 

By Rail:

There are no railways to reach Tashichho Dzong. It is better to book a taxi or travel by car. The best way to explore the place is to rent cars or vans usually for visiting the attractions in this beautiful city in Bhutan.

Best Time To Visit

The ideal time to visit the Tashichho Dzong starts from April to October. However, many visitors can also choose to travel to the place in the month between September to November.

Winter Season(November-March):

The winter season in Bhutan usually starts in November and continues until early March. The coolest month is January and the temperature ranges around 7°C during that time. To make most of your trip booking a travel plan as per the climatic conditions will guarantee you a happy and stress-free trip.

 

Spring Season( March to mid-April):

The spring season in the country lasts for a very short time. It usually begins from early March to mid-April. It is also touted as one of the best seasons to plan a trip to this serene beauty.

 

Summer season(April-Mid-September):

It is a true fact that the country experiences a relatively long summer season. It starts from mid-April and continues till the end of September. The warmest month in the year is July with an average temperature of 23°C.

 

Monsoon Season:

One can experience rainfall in Bhutan from late-June. The city experiences the heaviest rainfall in June as frequent monsoons soak parts of the country, mainly the southern part.

 

Autumn Season (September-October):

Last but not the least Autumn season greets the country in late September or early October and is reportedly one of the best times to visit the natural geography.

Other Essential Information

Location- Chhanchhan Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

Opening Hours-

- Monday to Friday: 9 AM–5 PM

- Saturday: 9 AM–5 PM

- Sunday: 9 AM–1 PM, 2–4:30 PM

 

Entry Fee- Rs 300 /person. or BTN 300

- Students: BTN 150

- Tariff payers, Children (below 5 years): No Entry Fee

Average Temperature-  Around 19°C to 22°C in the capital

Distance from Nearest Airport- 51.6 km or 1 h 23 min drive from Paro airport.

Prayer Timings of Tashichho Dzong: The Tashichho Dzong Prayer timings are from 11 AM to 4 PM. The building closes for the day after 5 PM and on weekends, the fort is open from 11 AM to 4 PM.

History of Tashichho Dzong

 Credits:- Photo by Pema Gyamtsho on Unsplash

The overall history of the place juts back to the 12th century. The Fortress was primarily constructed in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. In 1641, after Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal took over it but after finding it too basic and minuscule he constructed the lower Dzong.

Since then, the structure has endured major restorations, due to terrible fires and earthquakes taking place in succession over the years. The building was first constructed by the very first Dharma Raja Lho-Drukpa who belonged to the sect of Buddhism. 

 

Architecture of Tashichho Dzong

 

Credits:- Photo by Pema Gyamtsho on Unsplash

The basic construction of the building is a whitewashed structure that has two-stories along with three-storeyed towers at all four angles. These towers are then capped by three-tiered wonderful golden rooftops that add a touch of bling to the beauty of the place.

The Dzong construction style is very unique and specific only to Bhutan, Tibet and some areas of China. The architecture is gigantic in style with high exterior walls which then blend with multifaceted courtyards, temples, organizational offices, and monks' lodgings.

 

This huge structure is an optical joy both throughout the day and the night. Condensed by attractively designed gardens and greens, the beauty of the adjacent hills add to the magnetism of the Tashichho Dzong. The gorgeously placed lights do make it sparkle like a jewel on the map of Thimphu at night- time.

Tashichho Dzong at Night

 

Credits:- Photo by Pema Gyamtsho on Unsplash

It is a busted fact that the Tashichho Dzong is visited by a large number of visitors during the sunset as the palace is a treat to the eyes after the daylights go off. The whole area comes abuzz when the Dzong is decorated with lights.

The whole palace along with the beautiful windows of the King's residence as well as the temple is decked with lights exquisitely. A picture-perfect sight for everyone out there, the place gives a lot of options to the shutterbugs to go on clicking.

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Tashichho Dzong FAQs

Who built Tashichho Dzong?

Tashichho Dzong was first constructed in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa and was reconstructed in 1641, by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. He also constructed another one, that was called the lower Dzong.

Which are the famous festivals celebrated at Tashichho Dzong?

The Thimphu Tsechu festival is an annual event which is celebrated for three consecutive days within the courtyard of the Tashichho Dzong. This festival is celebrated with loud music, mask dances to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Along with other fun activities Holy tales are also recited by local folk to the people.

Is network connectivity available at Tashichho Dzong?

Yes, Airtel network works in Bhutan on international roaming. It is the Indian mobile service supplier that works in the country. You can also purchase sim cards of local mobile service providers such as B-Mobile or Tashi SIM card from any telecom shop in Thimphu which charges you around INR 100 and can be acquired against a copy of a valid passport or your voter ID.

Is there any transportation facility available to reach Tashichho Dzong?

Yes, you can rent a car or book a taxi to roam around. If you want to travel like a local you can travel on buses which are available from the airport to reach Tashichho dzong.

What is a Dzong in Bhutan?

A dzong is an exhilarated building that includes both administrative and monastic institutions. Bhutan has many such Dzongs.

How many Dzongs are there in Bhutan?

There are a total of five dzongs in Bhutan, which are:
- Punakha Dzong
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Paro Dzong
Trongsa Dzong 
Dagana Dzong

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