Western Region
The Western Bhutan covers six districts country which includes Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, WangduePhondrang, Haa and Gasa.
Western Bhutan circuit is the most popular Travel region of Bhutan. The major Tourist attraction Places comes under this region. More over if you want to visit BHUTAN it is quite impossible to avoid this western region and take the essence of any other tourist sector of Bhutan. This Travel Circuits connects BHUTAN with the rest of the world through PARO INTERNATIONAL AIR PORT and also connects with India through PHUENTSHOLING and JAYGAON.
Paro
Paro is a highly imposing place to be in. Paro valley extends from the confluence of the ParoChhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom up to Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North.
One of the best towns of Bhutan, it’s a place buzzling with restaurants, multi – storey buildings, and painted wooden shops. A thrilling place mixed with religion is what best described Paro.
Beautiful Paro valley is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries & temples. There are over 155 temples and monasteries in the area, some dating as far back as the 14th century. The country’s first and only international airport is also located in the region. Its close proximity to the historical and religious sites in the region has resulted in the development of an array of luxurious, high-end tourist resorts making Paro one of the main destinations for visitors.
Places to Visit in Paro:
Taktshang Lhakhang
Taktsang Monastery is situated on a nearly vertical cliff at 3000mtr altitude north of Paro in Bhutan. One of the most famous Bhutanese monasteries this place is preached. Also known as “Tiger’s Nest” it is believed that Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave where the monastery is built. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is visited by almost every Bhutanese once in their lifetime.
A popular festival, known as the Tsechu, held in honor of Padmasambhava, is celebrated in the Paro valley sometime during March or April.
Paro Dzong
Built in the year 1644, is also known as Fortress on a Heap of Jewels. RinpungDzong is a large dzong – Buddhist monastery and fortress – of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu School in Paro District, Bhutan. It houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of ParoDzongkhag. One of the finest examples of architecture, the RinpungDzong, also known as the ParoDzong, has a very spiritual environment. Beautifully lit-up at night, the dzong has many illustrations portraying the life of Buddha. A hike to the top of the fortress welcomes you with the spectacular view of nearby valleys. A great annual festival or Tshechu is held at RinpungDzong from the eleventh to the fifteenth day of the second month of the traditional Bhutanese lunar calendar (usually in March or April of the Gregorian calendar). On this occasion, holy images are taken in a procession. This is followed by a series of traditional mask dances conveying religious stories which are performed by monks for several days.
Paro Ta-dzong (National Museum of Bhutan)
Established in 1968, in the renovated ancient Ta-dzong building, above RinpungDzong under the command of His Majesty, the King JigmeDorjiWangchuck, the third hereditary Monarch of Bhutan. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings. The museum displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artwork including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.
Today the National Museum has in its possession over 3,000 works of Bhutanese art, covering more than 1,500 years of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. Its rich holdings of various creative traditions and disciplines represent a remarkable blend of the past with the present and are a major attraction for local and foreign visitor.
Kyichu Lhakhang
Kyichu Lhakhang, (also known as Kyerchu Temple or LhoKyerchu) is an important Himalayan Buddhist temple. The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor SongtsenGampo.In 1971, KesangChodenWangchuck, the queen of JigmeDorjiWangchuck built a Guru Temple next to the old Jowo Temple which was consecrated by DilgoKhyentse. Ever since then the annual rites of great accomplishment for the deities Vajrasattva, PalchenHeruka, and Vajrakilaya have been held in this temple for the well being of the country under the patronage of KesangChodenWangchuck. There is a belief that the two orange trees in the courtyard of KyichuLhakhang bear fruit throughout the year.