Thimphu - City of Bhutan

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, and also the name of the surrounding valley and dzongkhag, the Thimphu District. With a population of 98,676 , it is the largest population centre in the country.

Thimpu became a town in 1961 and grew as the capital of Bhutan. Before 1960, Thimpu was a small settlement but was developed by the King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk to replace the ancient capital of Punakha.

Today the city sprawls across the western slopes of the Wang Chhu river valley, with several government offices located around Tashichoe dzong.

Rapid expansion following the pattern of rural exodus has resulted in considerable rebuilding in the city centre and mushrooming suburban development elsewhere. Norzin Lam, the recently upgraded main thoroughfare, is lined with shops, restaurants, retail arcades and public buildings.

Elsewhere, there is a mix of apartment blocks, small family homes and family-owned stores. By regulation, all buildings are required to be designed in traditional style with Buddhist paintings and motifs. A lively weekend market near the river supplies meat, vegetables and tourist items. Most of the city's limited light industry is located south of the main bridge. Thimphu has a growing number of commercial services and offices which provide for ever-growing local needs. With on going preparations for the 2008 celebrations of 100 years of Monarchy and Bhutan's transition to Parliamentary Democracy, numerous construction projects are visible throughout the city.

Dechen Phrodrang Monastery, Tango Monastery, Cheri Monastery and Dechencholing Palace, the official residence of the King, are located to the north of the city.

Tashichoedzong hosts a colourful masked-dance festival at the end of summer, which is popular with tourists. A new Tsechhu ground which can take in the capacity of both tourists and the locals is under construction and is expected to be completed by June 2008.

Thimphu is one of two national capitals in Asia that does not have traffic lights (the other is Pyongyang, North Korea). Local authorities had installed a set of lights but before they became operational the lights were removed. Instead of traffic lights, the city takes pride in its traffic police that directs the oncoming traffic with their dance-like movement of their arms and hands.

The National Library built in the style of a traditional temple contains a large collection of religious books and manuscripts in Dzongkha and Classical Tibetan and a collection of English-language books. It also contains a copy of the largest published book in the world.

The Buddha Dordenma statue, the largest Buddha statue in the world, is under construction on a mountain top called Kuensel Phodrang, overlooking the city. The statue will be finished in 2008.

The National Folk Heritage Museum displays traditional Bhutanese ways of life in a traditional Bhutanese house. It is an interesting view in to Bhutanese culture and domestic lives of the Bhutanese. There are also Bhutanese dances and exhibits held in the Museum Compound.

The National Institute of traditional Medicine has also a small museum on its premises.

Every monastery and temple in Thimphu is alive and well. These are some institutions where one can see how Buddhists pray and their daily routines.


The Institute for Language and Culture Studies provide training to undergraduate students in national language, culture and traditions of Bhutan.

The National Institute of Traditional Medicine contains an impressive, large laboratory and production facilities that ensures quality of the products, the components of which includes plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. The Institution produces traditional Bhutanese medicine towards the needs of the public. There is a day-care facility and clinic where doctors diagnose patients and prescribe appropriate medicines or treatments. The institute also researches the use of herbs and plants and has a plot on the premises. A small museum and a gift shop is also present in its compounds.

The National Institute for Zorig Chusum is a training institute that trains students in the thirteen traditional arts known as the Zorig Chusum. Many visitors take time to look at the works and arts and even watch how a piece is made.

The Royal Academy of Performing Arts is the home of the Royal Dance troupe.