Tiered stupas
Three rings.
Mussi Katz — CC0 · Dirk — CC BY 2.0 · Afifa Afrin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Afifa Afrin — CC BY-SA 4.0
A mountain pass on the road between Thimphu and Punakha at about 3,100 metres, crowned by 108 small memorial stupas stepped up a green knoll, built by the eldest Queen Mother in memory of Bhutanese soldiers who died in 2003, beside the painted Druk Wangyal temple. The white stupas with red bands stand in three circular tiers, ringed by colourful prayer flags, pines and rhododendrons, and mist often wraps them so they seem to float in the clouds. On clear days from October to February the pass opens onto a wide view of the snowy peaks of the eastern Himalaya, including Gangkar Puensum, the world's highest unclimbed mountain. In spring the rhododendrons bloom red and pink. The pass is free, with a small café facing the mountains. The mountain passes lie above 3,000 metres, so go slowly and drink water; it is cold most of the year. Most visitors to Bhutan pay a Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per person per night, fixed until August 2027, and a licensed guide is required at dzongs and major temples.
Three rings.
On clear days.
Around the stupas.
Thimphu-Punakha road, about 30 km east of Thimphu, at about 3,100 metres
On clear mornings from October to February; in the monsoon, mist usually covers the pass.