Old temple
Golden roof.
David Broad — CC BY 3.0 · David Broad — CC BY 3.0 · Christopher J. Fynn — CC BY 2.5 · David Broad — CC BY 3.0
One of Bhutan's oldest and holiest temples, its beginnings going back to the 7th century, when the Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo built it among the many temples he raised across the Himalaya; legend says they were built to pin down a giant demoness who was blocking the spread of Buddhism. The original temple is small, with a golden roof shining among the trees, and its courtyard has an orange tree said to bear fruit all year and a row of prayer wheels spun by pilgrims. A second, larger temple was added in the 20th century by the Queen Grandmother, in the same style. The place is calm, ringed by a garden and fields, with elderly villagers coming to circle it morning and evening; it is one of Bhutan's truest experiences of religious life away from the crowds. Entry is with a licensed guide; sources differ on the fee, and photography is not allowed inside. Dzongs and temples are places of worship and state: wear long sleeves and long trousers or skirts, remove hats, walk clockwise and take no photos inside the halls. 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.
Golden roof.
In the courtyard.
Morning and evening.
Lango village, north of Paro
Its beginnings go back to the 7th century, making it one of Bhutan's oldest temples; a second temple was added in the 20th century.