Before we start! If you want to see this experience in Visual Format, feel free to checkout this episode from our Bhutan Series.
Prologue: Last night, we arrived in Thimphu from Phuntsholing! The journey was quite tiring but exciting. Everyone went to bed exhausted, but we made a pact to wake up early. Today is the day we'll embark on an adventure to explore the enchanting beauty of Thimphu and visit some of its most renowned tourist spots!
The Day Begins: The night at the hotel was cozy and comfortable, and despite the freezing cold outside, the room heater kept us warm as we slept. After getting ready, we headed straight to have breakfast. The complimentary breakfast was delicious, and we made sure to fill our tummies, knowing that a long day awaited us!
Shortly after, our guide Norbu joined us and briefed us about the day's plan.
A Country without Traffic Signals!
Bhutan stands as a unique country in the world, where you won't find any traffic signals! During our visit, Norbu took us to the nearest traffic intersection to witness this exceptional traffic management system. Instead of traffic signals, the traffic police expertly use hand gestures to regulate the flow of vehicles.
Surprisingly, this lack of traffic signals isn't a problem at all in Bhutan, thanks to the incredible discipline of its people!
National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu
A serene Buddhist monument called the National Memorial Chorten stands tall in Thimphu. It was constructed in 1974 to honor the memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the revered 3rd King of Bhutan. The chorten's white stupa, adorned with golden spires and intricate designs, sits against the backdrop of picturesque hills, making it a must-visit attraction in Thimphu.
When we visited, we saw people of all ages, from elders to young folks, gathered around the stupa, holding their prayer beads and paying their respects. The place exudes a sense of calmness and positivity, which was truly captivating.
To enter the National Memorial Chorten, there's a ticket fee of Rs 1000 per adult (now reduced to Rs 500). However, if you're on a budget, you can still enjoy a beautiful view of the complex from an elevated road next to the chorten. But I highly recommend going inside to experience the spiritual ambiance fully.
Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu
Perched on a hill overlooking Thimphu City, the magnificent Buddha Dordenma statue greeted us with its grandeur. This awe-inspiring sitting statue of Shakyamuni Buddha was erected in 2015 and holds the distinction of being the largest of its kind in the world.
To reach the statue, we climbed around 300 steps, which was a bit of an effort, but the breathtaking view of Thimphu city and the surrounding valley from the top made it all worth it. A word of advice: It can get quite cold and windy up there, so carrying caps and jackets, especially during winter, is essential.
National Postal Museum of Bhutan
Bhutan is renowned in the world of philately for its unique and fascinating postal stamps. Though postal services started relatively late in 1964, Bhutan has been issuing distinctive stamps, such as scented stamps, holographic stamps, stamps with moving images, and even stamps that change color when exposed to light. Notably, Bhutan also issued the first vinyl record stamp, which could play the national anthem when used on a gramophone.
At the National Postal Museum of Bhutan, we explored an extensive collection of stamps, including some of the rarest and most valuable ones globally. The museum also showcased postal history, letters, postcards, and other documents that shed light on Bhutan's postal system and its evolution. As a stamp enthusiast, I couldn't resist purchasing some customized stamps featuring our family picture from the souvenir shop.
Simply Bhutan Museum of Thimphu
Simply Bhutan is a living museum that beautifully showcases traditional Bhutanese life. As we entered, we were warmly greeted with complimentary shots of arra, the local rice wine. The museum provided an opportunity to rent and try on traditional Bhutanese dresses, Gho for men and Kira for women, which was an enjoyable experience.
The museum replicates a traditional Bhutanese village and offers interactive exhibits and demonstrations to learn about Bhutanese culture, history, and arts.
We even got to try our hand at traditional archery, the national sport of Bhutan. Though none of us hit the target, we had a lot of fun blaming the mountain wind for our lack of accuracy!
Meeting Pema Tshering was the most inspirational moment of the day. Despite being abandoned by his parents due to cerebral palsy at a young age, he was embraced by the kind Queen Mother, who trained him in traditional Bhutanese handicrafts. Today, Pema creates remarkable works of art and craftsmanship, and we felt compelled to purchase some of his creations as a token of appreciation.
The tour ended with captivating folk music and dance performances. We were treated to the traditional butter tea called Suja (also pronounced as Shu-cha) and rice crackles, which added to the authentic Bhutanese experience. The option of a traditional Bhutanese lunch as a set menu was available, but we decided to skip it as we had a better plan in mind!
After spending two delightful hours exploring Simply Bhutan, it was already afternoon, and everyone was feeling hungry. So, we set off for a special palace to savor a traditional Bhutanese meal. I had done some research on the internet the day before and came across this restaurant renowned for its delectable food and traditional ambiance.
Babesa Village Restaurant, Thimphu
Lunch at Babesa Village Restaurant was a delightful experience. Situated on the highway at the outskirts of Thimphu, the restaurant's unique charm lies in its reconstructed 600-year-old mud house, preserving the traditional multistoried mud construction.
We opted for the traditional seating section, where we sat on comfortable mattresses on the floor, and the food was served on low height tables. As the temperature started dropping, we requested heaters to keep us warm and cozy.
From their menu, we ordered a variety of traditional Bhutanese dishes, including Ema Datshi (Chilly Cheese), Pork Sumday (fried rice with pork), Brangnye (a kind of sticky rice-based pizza), and more. The food was freshly cooked and served in charming wooden bowls and spoons, adding to the rustic experience.
Fun Trivia: Bhutanese people have a penchant for meat and poultry, but interestingly, there are no slaughterhouses in the country. Instead, such items are imported from India. On the other hand, the vegetables grown in Bhutan are incredibly fresh and delicious!
As a complimentary offering, they served rice soups, which were mild in flavor but comforting in the cold weather. However, the real surprise came with the green chilly and onion salad, which turned out to be exceptionally spicy! It was so hot that I couldn't help but shed tears from my eyes and nose, making it a memorable experience for everyone.
After a sumptuous lunch, we made our way to the Tashichho Dzong. Unfortunately, we could only admire it from outside due to the closing time. Nevertheless, the magnificent fortress looked mesmerizing, especially when illuminated at night.
Centenary Farmers Market, Thimphu
The Centenary Farmers Market, situated in the heart of Thimphu, Bhutan, is a bustling and lively market. It remains open daily and offers a wide array of fresh produce, meat, fish, dairy, and various local goods. Besides shopping, it's an excellent spot for people-watching and immersing oneself in the local culture. Norbu, our guide, provided insightful explanations about farming activities in Bhutan and how agriculture plays a crucial role in people's lives. We explored the market, moving from one stall to another, interacting with the vendors, and trying out some local delicacies.
One interesting treat we came across was a candy made from Yak Milk called Haa-be-rito (meaning "hard as a bone, made in Haa Valley"). Norbu encouraged me to try it, and true to its name, the candy was firm and needed to be slowly melted in the mouth to fully enjoy it. Norbu warned me not to chew it, as it could be tough on the teeth!
After our delightful time at the farmers market, we headed back to our hotel for dinner. The temperature had dropped considerably, and the approaching freezing conditions made us prefer dining indoors.
The day had been long and fulfilling, so we had to pack up our belongings as we were scheduled to travel to Punakha via Dochula Pass the next day. With that in mind, we decided to turn in early for the night.
I hope you'll join us on our journey to Punakha via Dochula Pass!
P:S: This blog was originally posted on my site www.TheUrbanNomad.co.in
You Can Read Other Parts of Our Bhutan Travel Series Here!
The Ultimate Guide: Traveling to Bhutan from India in 2023!
Phuntsholing to Thimphu! Day 2 of our Tour of Bhutan by Road!
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