PARO

For the visitor entering Bhutan via the Himalayas by Druk Air, this beautiful valley is the port of entry into Bhutan. The Paro valley at an altitude of 2280 metres and 53 km from Thimphu is enchanting with its scenic beauty, many of Bhutan's oldest temples, the National Museum and the country's only airport.

 Places of Interest:

• Drugyal Dzong: Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders under the Mongol chief, Gurshi Khan, in 1644, this Dzong now stands in ruins, destroyed by a fire in 1951. Having first been seen by western eyes only in 1914 through the eyes of the National Geographic magazine the ruins of this Dzong still stresses its historical significance and strategic location. A clear day allows one to get a fantastic view of Mt. Jhomolhari (23,997 ft) from the village below the Dzong.

• Rinpung Dzong: This "fortress of a heap of jewels" was also built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It presently serves as the home for the Paro Monastic Body and as the offices for the civil administration of Paro. The Paro Tsechu is held here in Spring.

• Ta Dzong: Just behind the Rinpung Dzong on a hillside stands the castle-like Ta Dzong which once served as a watch tower of the Dzong. Built in 1657 it now houses the National Museum with an amazing collection of art, antiques and religious thangkas (paintings).

• Farmhouse: A farmhouse visit demonstrates how the Bhutanese people live. Normally highly decorative it is built and painted in the traditional style. Farmhouses are typically three stories each floor used for different purposes; the top for drying hay, the middle serves as the family quarters and the bottom as a cattle shed.

• Kyichu Lhakhang: Consisting of twin temples this is the first one built by the Buddhist Tibetan King, Songsten Gampo in the 7th Century bringing Paro into prominence in the Buddhist world. In 1968 a second temple was built alongside the first one in an identical style under the instructions of Her Majesty, Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan. It is a very holy place for the local people.