White walls
Golden roofs.
Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0
A huge fortress-monastery on the Wang Chu river north of the capital Thimphu, traditionally the seat of the head of Bhutan's civil government. Today it holds the throne room, the offices of the king and government, and the monastic body's summer residence. The dzong is a massive white building with sloping walls and carved, painted wooden windows, crowned by golden and red roofs and surrounded by neat gardens and rice fields. Inside are wide paved courtyards, a towering central tower and temples decorated with fine paintings. It looks loveliest in the evening, when its walls are lit above the river, and its courtyard hosts the annual Tshechu festival with masked dances in autumn. Because the government works inside, visiting hours are limited; your guide will know the times. The fee is about BTN 500, per visitor guides. 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 roofs.
Masked dances.
Over the river.
Northern edge of Thimphu, on the west bank of the Wang Chu
During limited hours outside government working time; your licensed guide will know the current times.