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Paro
2200m/7,218ft
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This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture,
scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is
home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries,
the country’s only airport, and the National Museum. Mt.
Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the
northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging
through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro river). The
Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile,
producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its
terraced fields.
Drukgyel Dzong: This dzong, with a picturesque
village nestling below its ramparts, was built in 1646
by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory
over the Tibetan invaders. Though largely destroyed by
fire in 1951, the towering outer walls and central keep
remain an imposing sight. On a clear day, there is a
splendid view of Mt. Chomolhari from the approach road
to Drukgyel Dzong.
Rinpung Dzong: The “fortress of the heap of
jewels“ was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
on a hill above the township. |
The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional
covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved
stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls.
The valley’s annual springtime religious festival, the
Paro Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the dzong
and on the dance ground on the hillside above
Ta Dzong: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung
Dzong is Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect
Rinpung Dzong. (“Ta” means “to see” in Dzongkha, so the
watchtower of a dzong is always called a “Ta dzong”). On
account of their function, watchtowers are always round
in shape. In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the
National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection
of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s
exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts,
together with a small natural history collection.
Kyichu Lhakhang: This lhakhang, built in the 7th
century, is one of the two oldest and most sacred
shrines in Bhutan (the other being Jambey Lhakhang in
Bumthang). Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples.
The first temple was built by the Tibetan king, Songtsen
Gampo in the 7th century. In 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the
Queen Mother of Bhutan, arranged for a second temple to
be built alongside the first one, in same style.
Farm Houses: The natural beauty of Paro valley is
enhanced by picturesque farm houses dotted about the
fields and on the hillsides. The two to three-storied
Bhutanese farm houses are handsome in appearance, with
colorfully decorated outer walls and lintels, and are
traditionally built without the use of single nail. All
houses follow the same architectural style. A visit to a
farm house gives an interesting glimpse into the
lifestyle of a farming family.
Kila Gompa: This is the serene home of Buddhist
nuns who have dedicated their lives to spiritual
fulfillment. In this gompa, nestled in a craggy patch of
rock on the mountainside below Chele-la pass, they spend
their days in religious studies, prayer and meditation.
Kila Gompa is about an hour’s walk from Chele-la, down a
path through pine forest.
Druk Choeding: This temple in Paro town was built
in 1525 by Ngawang
Chhogyel, one of the prince-abbots of Raling in Tibet,
and an ancestor of the Shabdrung, Ngawang Namgyal.
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