Paro Sightseeing
The beautiful Paro valley provides a visitor with
all the essential elements of Bhutan in general. Ancient temples, massive forts,
monasteries, picturesque villages, scenic hikes, and drives. Zhiwa Ling is in
close proximity to the many attractions the Paro valley has to offer
Ta Dzong national museum
A twenty minute drive from Zhiwa ling will get you to this unique museum.
Located inside the circular 7th century fort is the national museum of Bhutan
with its wonderful and varied collection. It provides an excellent introduction
to Bhutanese art and culture.
Paro Rinpung Dzong
The massive three hundred and fifty year old fort is the center of governance
for the Province of Paro. The governor, the chief judge and other government
official keep office within the walls of this fort following old traditions.
Half the fort is permanently occupied two hundred resident monks. Every year in
the spring, the fort is host to one of Bhutan’s biggest religious festival.
Kyichu Temple
Kyichu temple, ten minutes drive from Zhiwa Ling, is one of the oldest temples
in the country dating as far back as the 7th century. History has it that the
temple was a part of an ambitious plan of the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo who
wanted to build 108 temples in the region, supposedly to subdue an ogress that
traumatized the people in the region.
The ruins of Drukgyel Dzong
Fifteen minutes drive from Zhiwa Ling and set on a knoll with a spectacular view
of the surrounding valley the ruins of this fort, which once protected against
Tibetan invasions, provides a wonderful architectural insight to the structure
of forts in Bhutan. Drukgyel is also the starting point to many of Bhutan’s
most famous trekking routes.
Chele la (pass)
Chele la (pass), at an elevation 3,988 meters is considered to be one of the
highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive from Zhiwa Ling it
passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides
stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.
Chele la is marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Take a
walk above the pass and one might come across signs of ‘sky burials’.
Another Forty five minutes drive from the pass will bring you to the scenic
valley of Haa.
Paro Town
Ten minutes drive will take you from Zhiwa Ling to the sleepy Paro town that
comprises of two streets lined by many shops selling goods of all manner from
handicraft items to yak cheese and player flags.
email : bhutan@nivalink.com