Trongsa
Trongsa district is situated at the very center of the country of Bhutan which makes it a critical junction of roads leading to Bumthang, Gelephu and Punakha.
It is one land which is separated from both east and west Bhutan by high mountains. Surrounded by mountains, it’s a common sight to see clouds hovering just a little over the mountains. One can easily distinguish Trongsa with its traditional white-washed shops and decorated pot plants lined up as one enters this city.
The main town of Trongsa is situated quite high up a cliff with stunning views of the Black Mountains. The town is relatively big with beautiful shops (interestingly most of them are white) and with strong Tibetan culture.
Trongsa is a great destination for shopping for weaves (most of them are wool based colored with natural dyes).
Trongsa Dzong
This impregnable fortress of Bhutan is filled architecturally beautiful temples, corridors, live paintings representing Bhutanese tradition in every sense. Built on many levels, it was built in the year 1648.
The PunakhaDzong might be the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan but the TrongsaDzong is the most majestic. Due to the dzong’s highly strategic position, on the only connecting route between east and west, the TrongsaPenlop was able to control effectively the whole of the central and eastern regions of the country from here.
Ta Dzong (Trongsa Museum)
From a distance it looks nothing more than a cylindrical stone structure constructed by the first Governor of Trongsa in the year 1652 and it has 4 different observation points named Dragon, Garuda, Tiger, and Lion. But, if you look at it closely, it’s a perfect combination of the old traditions and the new.
These structures have 5 floors and 11 galleries of significant displays of art, craft and royal memorabilia. Some of these are a 500-year-old jacket used by NgagiWangchuk, Raven crown, swords used by Penelope JigmeNamgyel and Third king and the boots used by the teenage fourth king.
This classy living museum, has more than 200 items on display including bronze statue of PemaLingpa, ritual costumes, prayer books, paintings and scrolls – all of them ages old.
Chendbji Chorten
It takes 45 minutes from the top of Pele La Pass to reach ChendbjiChorten built on the pattern of Swayambhunath temple of Kathmandu. It was built in the 18th century by Lama Zhida, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Legend says that the evil spirit manifested as a gigantic snake. Surrounded by greenery, it’s a good place to be in and favorite spot to lunch for both tourists and locals
Kuenga Rabten Palace
The Kuenga Rabten palace (built in 1929) is visible from the distance…this was originally the winter home of the second king. In this palace, look carefully at the stone walls surrounding the palace…they have spy holes that were used by guards. There is a small gallery which circles the courtyard on all 3 sides and the main building is tall with two dominant aisles. The ground floor and first floor were used as granaries and garrisons for the military. Right now, they are used as classrooms for monks.
There are 3 rooms in the second floor that have royal artifacts, crafts and paintings. pay special attention to the 35 Buddha’s of Compassion and a grand painting of Guru Rinpoche’s paradise. The temple Sangye Lhakhang with its beautiful images of Shakyamuni Buddha and 21 taras along with chortens coated in pure gold and silver are of special interest.
Pele La Pass
Pele La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.423m (11,230ft) above the sea level and it’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.
About 48 km from Trongsalies the famous Pele La Pass. You will take nearly 3 hours to cover this distance as the roads are quite rough. You need to drive past the ChedenbjiChorten (a popular picnic spot) and the chendebji village followed by the Sephu village. After this village, you will enter an area with lush broadleaf vegetation and this marks the settlement of Rukubji.
There are Yaks straying around the farmland and there are beautiful pastures and bamboo groves. The Pele La pass (3420 m) is marked by many lines of vibrant prayer flags and provides a fantastic view of Mount Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and Kangbum.