Kyichu Lhakhang
སྐྱེར་ཆུ་ལྷ་ཁང་
Said to be one of the Buddhist temples built in the 7th century by Songtsen Gampo to subdue a demoness, it is Bhutan's oldest temple. The courtyard's two orange trees are said to bear fruit year-round.
Kyichu Lhakhang sits in the northern part of the Paro Valley. Legend holds that in the 7th century, Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo built it as one of 108 temples to pin down a demoness lying across the Himalayas. Together with Jampa Lhakhang in Bumthang, it is among Bhutan's oldest temples. The ancient main hall enshrines the Jowo, a statue of the Buddha at age eight, while the Vajra Hall, added by the Royal Grandmother in 1968, houses a statue of Guru Rinpoche about 5 metres tall. Two orange trees in the courtyard are said to bear fruit all year round, and old people often turn the prayer wheels in the corridor. Admission costs a few hundred ngultrum (check on site for current prices). Getting there: about 10 minutes by car from Paro town, and it can be combined with Taktsang on the same day. Note: photography is not allowed inside the temple, so dress appropriately.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00 (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Paro Rinpung Dzong
- National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong)
- Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
- Chele La Pass
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Haa Valley (Lhakhang Karpo & Nagpo)
- Tachog Lhakhang & Iron Bridge
- Motithang Takin Preserve