Punakha Dzong
སྤུ་ན་ཁ་རྫོང་
The "palace of great happiness" built in 1637 at the confluence of two rivers, widely considered Bhutan's most beautiful dzong, the coronation site of past kings and the winter residence of the central monastic body.
Punakha Dzong was built in 1637–1638 under the supervision of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the Bhutanese state, on a sandbank where the Pho Chhu (Father River) and Mo Chhu (Mother River) meet. It was the second dzong in Bhutan and served as the capital and seat of government until the capital moved to Thimphu in 1955. The first king was crowned here in 1907, and the wedding of the current king in 2011 was also held here. Each year from November to April, the central monastic body, including the chief abbot, moves here from Thimphu for the winter. The dzong measures 180 metres long and 72 metres wide. It has a six-story central tower (utse), and its three courtyards are the administrative, monastic and main temple courtyards in turn. The main temple, Kunrey, houses the embalmed remains of Shabdrung and murals depicting the life of the Buddha (photography forbidden). The wooden cantilever bridge outside the dzong (rebuilt in 2008) and the jacarandas on the riverbank (in bloom in March, contrasting with the white walls and red roofs) are the signature views. Admission is 1,000 ngultrum (about CNY 90). Opening hours are 09:00–17:00 (until 16:00 in winter), and the gates may close for an hour at midday. Clothing must cover the arms and legs, and Bhutanese men must wear the national dress. Nearby, a 20-minute drive north brings you to Punakha Suspension Bridge, Bhutan's longest at 160 metres. You can go whitewater rafting on the Mo Chhu (about 1.5 hours, moderate difficulty). To the south lies Chimi Lhakhang, the "Fertility Temple," and the village around it, whose walls are painted with phalluses. The drive from Thimphu via Dochula Pass takes about 2.5–3 hours. Punakha sits at only about 1,200 metres, far warmer than Thimphu. Allow 1.5 hours for the dzong, plus half a day for the surroundings.
Opening hours
9:00 am–5:00 pm (until 4:00 pm in winter)
Nearby sights
- Punakha Suspension Bridge
- Chimi Lhakhang
- Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
- Dochula Pass
- Cheri Monastery (Chagri Dorjeden)
- Tango Monastery
- Simtokha Dzong