Folk Heritage Museum
Phelchey Toenkhyim
A museum housed in a 19th-century three-storey rammed-earth farmhouse, recreating traditional Bhutanese village life. Visitors can try hot-stone baths and traditional drinks.
The Folk Heritage Museum was founded in 2001 by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Royal Grandmother. Its main building is a three-storey rammed-earth and timber farmhouse in the 19th-century style. The ground floor holds livestock pens and tool storage, the middle floor stores grain, and the top floor has living quarters and a family shrine. Displays include traditional kitchenware, looms, brewing vessels and furniture, which together recreate the everyday life of a Bhutanese farm household. The courtyard has a water mill, a traditional hot-stone bath, chilies and rice paddies. Visitors can sometimes sample buckwheat pancakes and ara, a local alcohol. Admission costs a few hundred ngultrum (check on site for current prices). Getting there: in the northern part of Thimphu, next to the National Institute for Zorig Chusum. Note: the stairs are steep, wooden ladder-style staircases, so take care going up and down, and check on site for opening hours.
Opening hours
About 09:00–16:30 (shorter hours on weekends; check on site)
Nearby sights
- National Institute for Zorig Chusum
- Tashichho Dzong
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Centenary Farmers Market
- Clock Tower Square & Norzin Lam
- National Memorial Chorten
- Motithang Takin Preserve
- Buddha Dordenma