National Institute for Zorig Chusum
Zorig Chusum
A school that teaches Bhutan's thirteen traditional crafts. Visitors can watch students paint thangkas, carve wood, make masks and embroider, gaining insight into how Bhutan's arts are passed down.
The National Institute for Zorig Chusum teaches Bhutan's thirteen traditional crafts, which include painting, carving, woodwork, sculpture, casting, embroidery, weaving, bamboo work, papermaking and gold and silver work. From the corridors beside the classrooms, visitors can watch students absorbed in painting thangkas, carving wooden masks, shaping Buddha statues and stitching embroidery. Walls are covered with student work, which helps explain the decorative arts found in Bhutan's temples and dzongs. The institute runs a showroom selling works by teachers and students at reasonable prices. Admission costs a few hundred ngultrum (check on site for current prices). Getting there: in the northern part of Thimphu, next to the Folk Heritage Museum and the National Library. Note: no classes are held on weekends or during the winter and summer holidays, so check before you go, and ask permission before photographing inside the classrooms.
Opening hours
Weekdays about 09:00–16:00 (no classes on weekends or holidays)
Nearby sights
- Folk Heritage Museum
- Tashichho Dzong
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Centenary Farmers Market
- Clock Tower Square & Norzin Lam
- National Memorial Chorten
- Motithang Takin Preserve
- Buddha Dordenma