Haa Valley (Lhakhang Karpo & Nagpo)
Haa
A quiet high-altitude valley on the far side of Chele La Pass, with few visitors, traditional villages, and two temples said to date back to the 7th century, Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo.
Haa Valley sits in western Bhutan, close to the Chinese border. It only opened to foreign tourists in 2002, and it still sees few visitors, so it has kept its peaceful highland villages, wheat fields and pastures. At the centre of the valley are Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (the Black Temple), which legend says were built by Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. Locals consider the three mountains here to be a sacred place protected by the three protector deities. Each July, the Haa Summer Festival showcases yaks, nomadic life, traditional food and sports, making it a great time to experience Bhutan's mountain culture. You can stay in a farmhouse and try a hot-stone bath. Getting there: about 2 to 2.5 hours by road from Paro over Chele La Pass. Note: the valley lies at about 2,700 metres, and the difference between day and night temperatures can be large.
Opening hours
Open all day; temple open by day
Nearby sights
- Chele La Pass
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Paro Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong)
- Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
- Tachog Lhakhang & Iron Bridge
- Motithang Takin Preserve