Thimphu (Altitude: 2,350 Metres):
Thimphu is the capital and the largest city of Bhutan. The capital has an interesting combination of tradition and modernity, and includes some of the most advanced and remotest parts of the kingdom. It is the only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights. It is the main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country. It is most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Memorial Chorten: Also known as the Thimphu Chorten, it is situated in the center of Thimphu City. It is in a form of Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is built in Tibetan Style pattern on design of Classical Stupa. The Chhorten depicts images of wrathful deities with their female consorts. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan"
Changangkha Monastery: Changangkha Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries in the Thimphu valley. It was built in the 15th century by a descendant of Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo, the man who spread the Sect Drukpa Kagyu in Bhutan. The main statue at the temple is of Avalokiteswara (the eleven-headed Buddha manifestation with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes). The temple courtyard offers good views over the city of Thimphu.
National Zoo: Popularly known as “Takin Reserve”, is one of the few places in Bhutan where we can see Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan and a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope
National Library: The National Library was established in 1967 to preserve many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. (9am – 4pm, Closed on Sunday, Monday & National Holidays)
BBS Tower: It offers panoramic view of Thimphu Town and is situated at an elevation of 2,685 m. The place is perfect to have view of whole Thimphu valley and is also an ideal place for photography. In order to reach the Point, one has to walk through hundreds of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the Thimphu valley.
Folk Heritage Museum: It is a traditional house replicating a farmhouse giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits and customs as well as hosting educational programs for children. The house design and many of the artifacts are also reminders of rural Bhutanese life. One should carry a torch (flashlight) as some of the rooms are quite dimly lit.
National Textile Museum: This museum is worth a visit to get to know the living national art of weaving. Exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles made by Bhutanese. (Everyday 9am – 4pm & Saturday 1pm – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm, Closed on Monday & National Holidays)
Institute of Zorig Chusom: It is a Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu established with an objective of preserving “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”. It is commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School. One of the 13 Arts is Tshem Zo which is the art of working with needles, threads and other necessary items to make clothes, boots, thangkas, and other items used for decorations and other household needs. (Everyday 2pm – 4pm & Saturday 9am – 12noon, Closed on Sunday & National Holidays)
National Institute of Traditional Medicine: This institute was established in 1978. It prepares and dispenses traditional herbal and other medicines. There is an impressive laboratory and production facility that manufactures quality products. All kinds of pills, tablets, ointments and medicinal teas from here are distributed to regional health-care units around the country.
Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory: It is a 1 km drive from main city of Thimphu to the factory. The factory manufactures the traditional Bhutanese paper using the bark of two tree species in the manufacture of traditional paper the Daphne tree and Dhekap. The entire process of traditional manufacturing of the handmade paper can be observed. It was previously operated by the government. Now it is run by a private entrepreneur.
Kuensel Phodrang: It is a gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. One can get good view of Thimphu Valley from here. The construction was completed on September 25th 2015 to celebrate their 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
Optional sightseeing with additional cost
Tashichho Dzong: Also known as "Fortress of the Glorious Religion", it was built on the hill above Thimphu in 1216 by the lama Gyalwa Lhanampa. It was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM. This Dzong is a perfect example of how grand and intricate Bhutanese architecture is.
Weekend Market: Every Saturday & Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregates on the banks of the river, where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley & other nearby places come to sale their agricultural products. It is an interesting place to visit offering a chance to mingle with the locals.
| Area | 26.1 km² |
|---|---|
| Population | |
| Winter Temperature | 5 °C (41 °F) |
| Summer Temperature | 72°F (22°C) |
| Best Time To Visit | January |
the Nearest Airport Is At Patna 101 Kms. Many Airlines Connect Patna To Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi And Lucknow.
though Rajgir Itself Has A Railway Station Yet The Nearest Convenient Railhead Is At Gaya 78 Kms.
rajgir Is Connected By Road To Patna - 110 Kms, Nalanda - 12 Kms, Gaya - 78 Kms, Pawapuri - 38 Kms, Bihar Sharif - 25 Kms Etc. Bus : Regular Buses Are Available From All The Above Said Points To Rajgir.
Built By Ajatshatru (6th Century B.c.), The King Of Magadha During The Buddha
The Chariot Route And Hell Inscriptions Are Worth A Visit For The Strangeness Of The Phenomenon, Two Parallel Furrows Cut Deep Into Rock For About Thirty Feet Giving Credence To The Local Belief That They Were
The Place Is Atop A Small Hill (400m High) And Believed To Be A Meeting Place Of Lord Buddha. This Was The Place Where The Lord Buddha Set In A Motion His Second Wheel Of Law For Three Months Even During The Rainy Season, Preached Many Inspiring Sermons To His Disciples.. On The Top Of The Hill, There Is A Vishwa Shanti Stupa (world Peace Pagoda) Build By The Buddha Sangha Of Japan. The Stupa Is Built In Marble And On The Four Corners Of The Stupa Are Four Glimmering Statues Of Buddha. One Can Reach The Monument By Using The Ropeway Or 600+ Stone Steps Leading To The Top Of The Hill. One Way Ride Takes 7.5 Minutes And The View Is Splendid Over The Hills Of Rajgir.
It Is Said To Be A Bamboo Grove Gifted To Lord Buddha To Reside By Bimbisara, The Then King Of Magadh.
On Hill Crests Around Rajgir, Far In The Distances One Can See About 26 Jain Temples. They Are Difficult To Approach For The Untrained, But Make Exciting Trekking For Those In Form.
Once 40 Km Long, It Encircled Ancient Rajgir. Built Of Massive Undressed Stone Carefully Fitted Together, The Wall Is One Of The Few Important Pre-mauryan Stone Structures Ever To Have Been Found. Traces Of Wall Still Subsist, Particularly At The Exit Of Rajgir To Gaya.
These Caves Are Also Known As King Jarasandh
Also Known As Swarna Bhandar Caves (caves Of Gold), Two Rather Strange Cave Chambers Are Hollowed Out Of A Single Massive Rock And Is Supposed To Lead To King Bimbisara Gold Treasury. Inscriptions In The Sankhlipi Or Shell Script, Etched Into Wall And So Far Undeciphered, Are Believed To Give The Clue To Open The Doorway. A Unread Story About The Cave Is That There Is A Lot Of Gold In This Cave And A Script Is Written On A Stone Is The Code To Unlock The Door Of This Swarn Bhandar.
This Archeological Site Is Believed To Be The Jail In Which King Ajatshatru Has Imprisoned His Father Bimbisara. From His Prison Cell, Bimbisara Could See Buddha Mating On The Gridhakuta.
The Chariot Route And Shell Inscriptions Consist Of Two Parallel Furrows Cut Deep Into The Rock Ground For About Thirty Feet And Are Believed To Have Been Made By Lord Krishna
Dating 1 Century Ce, The Maniar Matth Is Said To Be A Monastery Of A Cult Which Worshipped Snakes. Several Snake And Cobra Figurines Have Been Found In The Vicinity In Excavations.
Above The Hot Springs On The Vaibhava Hill, Is A Rectangular Stone Sculpted By The Forces Of Nature Which Appears To Have Been Used As A Watch Tower. Since It Later Became The Resort Of Pious Hermits, It Is Also Called Pippala Cave And Popularly Known As
At The Foot Of Vaibhava Hill, A Staircase Leads Up To The Various Temples. Separate Bathing Places Have Been Organized For Men And Women And The Water Comes Through Spouts From Saptdhara, The Seven Streams, Believed To Find Their Source Behind The
This Is The Battle Place Where Bhima And Jarasandh Fought One Of The Mahabharat Battles.
This Is The Shrine Of A Muslim Sufi Saint Makhdum Shah And Has Warm Springs Similar To Tapodharma.
Believed To Be 2500 Years Old, These Cyclopean Walls Are A 40 Km Long And 4 Meters Wide Fortification Running Around The City.
This Is The Tank In Which Buddha Used To Bathe.
Seat Of The Royal Physician
Shopping In Rajgir Is All About Buying Wooden Items As Rajgir Is Well Known In Bihar For Its Woodwork. You Can Choose From A Variety Of Statues, Knick Knacks, Key Chains, Pen Stands, Lamps, Tables And Various Other Items Made Out Of Wood That Makes For Some Excellent Souvenirs As Well To Take Back Home. The Markets In Rajgir Offer The Discerning Buyer A Range Of Handicrafts Unique To Bihar Including Khatwa Appliqu
If You Fancy A Splurge, Look No Further Than This Upscale Restaurant At The Indo Hokke Hotel. It Has Superb Indian Food And A Pricier Japanese Menu Featuring Soba Noodles, Teriyaki And Tempura, With Authentic Flavours And Fresh Ingredients (including Pepper, Pickles And Tea).
On The Pathway Leading To The Archaeological Museum, Cafeteria Nalanda Makes A Pleasant Spot For Lunch. It Does Indian And Chinese Dishes And Has Tree-shaded Outdoor Seating.
Diagonally Opposite The Lakshmi Narayan Temple Complex, This Simple Restaurant Offers Great Indian Meals Including An Elaborate Vegetarian Thali. Has Outdoor Seating.
Small, Fan-cooled, Streetside Restaurant Serving Good-value Punjabi And South Indian Dishes, Including Thali Located About 100m Beyond Hotel Raj.
