The twin temples of Kyichu Lhakhang is a 7th century marvel and one of the most sacred shrines in the kingdom. According to legend, it was miraculously constructed in one night by King Songten Gampo.

One of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture, the massive fortress and monastery offers spectacular views of the Paro Valley. The dzong is a symbolic centre of religious and secular affairs and today, it houses the district monastic body and government administrative offices. To enter the dzong, you have to pass through a traditional covered bridge. The dzong is also the venue of the annual Paro Tshechu Festival.

Unravel mysteries of the unknown at the National Museum, which holds together a thousand years of history. Located in an ancient watch tower, the museum has a collection of old coins, stamps, ancient weapons and Bhutanese art and artifacts. You can also view a fragment of the moon’s surface brought by Neil Armstrong here.

Nestled on the edge of a precariously high cliff, the iconic Taktsang Goemba (monastery) is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan and one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, the Father of Bhutanese Buddhism, arrived more than a million years ago from Tibet on the back of a tigress and meditated here. 

An entirely uphill hike, the journey to the monastery takes around 2-3 hours, with a café located on the ridge to take a break and enjoy refreshments. A pony ride is available till the ‘cafeteria’, a wooden teahouse-restaurant that offers great views of the monastery. Whether you are of the spiritual nature or the adventurous kind, this is an exhilarating journey offering breathtaking views along the way. To enter the monastery, visitors require a special permit, which needs to be procured in advance.

Shop for local handicrafts, beautiful embroidery and weavings at Chencho handicrafts. There are also a number of weavers on-site. Take some pictures and learn the art of weaving here.

Lama Tshering Dorji General Shop. This monks' supply shop is one of several in Paro aimed squarely at locals and monks rather than tourists, but it's a fascinating browse. ... Kuenphen Terzoed Weaving & Handicrafts House.

This monks' supply shop is one of several in Paro aimed squarely at locals and monks rather than tourists, but it's a fascinating browse. Items for sale include amulets, divination dice, prayer flags, incense, statuary and butter lamps, everything in fact for your own personal altar. There are also some nonreligious items like khuru darts and bamboo arrows.

LOCATION Main Street, Paro

OPENING HOURS The market takes place every Saturday and is busiest between 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

The Sunday Market is a delightful little place to shop in the town area of Paro. Haggle your way through the market shopping for keepsakes, Kiras (Bhutanese traditional dress) and prayer wheels. If you come across any interesting Bhutanese stamps, make sure you buy them! Bhutanese stamps are known to be collector’s items. Other interesting buys include authentic Bhutanese handicrafts, handmade Bhutanese boots, dried yak cheese and woven goods.

Located 5 minutes from Paro international airport, this hotel-school puts a special emphasis on high quality service. This is reflected by its fine dining restaurant mixing traditional dishes with international service standards allowing the guest to discover the secrets of Bhutanese gastronomy. The restaurant has 32 seats with an “a la carte service” presenting a three course menu inspired by Michelin stars restaurants. Organic, fresh and simple is what the restaurant focuses on. Complementary to its modern facilities, the entire complex boasts a panoramic view of the lower Paro Valley.

Sonam Trophel Restaurant: The yummiest Bhutanese food