Punakha District
Former capital with Bhutan's most beautiful dzong
Punakha District was Bhutan's capital until 1955 and remains home to Punakha Dzong, widely considered the most beautiful fortress-monastery in the country, set at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. The district still hosts the winter residence of Bhutan's chief abbot and central monastic body, and royal weddings, including that of the current king, have been held within its walls.
Reached by a scenic drive over the Dochula Pass from Thimphu, Punakha's warmer, lower elevation valley offers a lush contrast to the higher districts of Western Bhutan.
Curated Experiences
Our journeys in Bhutan.
Popular Attractions
5 places
Attraction
Punakha Dzong
Bhutan's most beautiful dzong, at the confluence of two rivers.
Attraction
Chimi Lhakhang
Temple of the Divine Madman
Attraction
Punakha Suspension Bridge
One of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan
Attraction
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Hilltop chorten with valley views
Attraction
Talo Village
Traditional hillside farming village
Culture
People & Culture
Punakha's farming villages grow rice and red chillies in the valley's milder climate, and the district is closely tied to Bhutanese fertility folklore through Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the "Divine Madman" Drukpa Kunley, visited by couples seeking blessings for children. Talo Village, on the hillside above the valley, preserves traditional Bhutanese farmhouse architecture largely unchanged by tourism.
Activities
Things to Do
Visit Punakha Dzong at the river confluence
Walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple
Cross the Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in Bhutan
Hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Visit Talo Village's traditional farmhouses
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
February–April (warmer valley climate)
Other Districts in Western Bhutan
Stories from Punakha District
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