Bhutan

Bhutan is a mystical kingdom, which remained isolated for centuries from its neighbors, as it was inaccessible.  It is still unaffected by the modern progress made by the mankind. As the Last Shangri-La, the Bhutanese celebrate a host of festivals and religious functions besides performing colorful dances and religious allegorical plays that really bring one to centuries past.  Favourbale times for visiting Bhutan are March, April, May and September and October.

Thimpu: Thimpu, the cap[ital city of the Dragon Kingdom, lies at a height of 2,286 meters in the Wang Chhu River Valley. The city may be one of the best places for visitors to choose souvenirs from an array of handcrafted and hand-woven wares. The main Secretariat Building of Bhutan is Tashichhodzong that houses all the ministries, the National Assembly Hall, the office of the King and the Throne.  The monk body and the religious chief, the Je Khempo, stays in this building during the summer. You can see the Memorial Chorten, which is totally dedicated to the late King-- Jigmey Dorji Wanchuck, the father of modern Bhutan. About five miles away from Thimpu, there lies the Simtokha Dzong on a magnificent ridge. Shabdrung Nawant Namgyal, who had given Bhutan the first written laws, built it in 1627. He also established a network of Dzongs, the imposing fortress-monasteries from where the country was governed. 

Paro Valley: Paro is a unique destination offering natural beauty and history. It was Padma Sambhava, who is known as Guru Rimpoche, had originally introduced Buddhism into Bhutan. The greatest saint of Bhutan had entered Bhutan through Paro. Another area to visit is Taktsang (Tiger's Nest'. Built around a cave (where Guru Rimpoche, and later his follower Dubthok Singey, meditated) is an attraction in Bhutan. Since the monastery is precipice, a visit may be challenging. The Rimpung Dzong is situated across the Paro Chhu river. It may be a suitable place for visitors to have a panoramic view of the entire Valley. Now it houses the Paro monastic body and the offices of the District Commissioner and the District Judge. The Thongdel, which is Bhutan's most sacred giant sized scroll, depicts the eight manifestations of Guru Rimpoche with the two attendants-- Khendu Yesey Tsogyel and Khendu Mindha-Rawa. Only during the Paro Tsechu, it is displayed for a few hours.  The grand castle-like Ta-Dzong lies behind Rimpung Dzong, which has been a National Museum since 1967.  

Punakha: Until 1955, Punkha was the Capital of Bhutan. It is still a base of religion. In 1637, the Shabdrung constructed the fortress to serve as both the religious and administrative center for the kingdom. The site has not lost its tradition. The daily rituals, the serving of meals, are carried out in the same manner as were done during the lifetime of Shabdrung there.