Thimphu, also spelled Thimbu is the capital of Bhutan, occupies an entire valley in the western interiors. Thimphu is most well known for its Buddhist sites including the massive Tashichho Dzong, a fortified monastery, and the government palace famed for its gold-leaf roofs. Located at an altitude of about 8,000 ft on the west bank of river Wang Chu, also known locally as Thimphu Chu; Thimphu is also famous for the Memorial Chorten, a whitewashed structure with a gold spire, is a revered Buddhist shrine dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Home to approximately 100,000 inhabitants including the Royal family the city is the main center of commerce, religion, and government in Bhutan.
Thimphu is ideal for tourists to break away from their tour itinerary to immerse themselves in the contemporary Bhutanese lifestyle. The most modern city in Bhutan it has a number of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs, and shopping malls.Thimphu has numerous places worth visiting such as the National Post Office, the Clock Tower Square, the Motithang Takin Preserve, Tango and Chari Monasteries, Buddha Dordenma statue, National Memorial Chorten, Centenary Farmer’s Market, and Semtokha Dzong.
The only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights, Thimphu is the best place to see the culture, religion, customs, national dress code of Bhutan Tourists can also know about the monastic practices of the monasteries, music, dance, literature and the media.Tshechu is an important festival where mask dances popularly known as Chams, are performed in the courtyards of the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu. It is a four-day festival held every year during September/October. Thimphu is situated in the constricted, linear valley of the Raidāk River.
The city s made up of numerous districts such as Changangkha, Changzamtok, Chubachu, Hospital Area, Jungshina. Kawangjangsa, Langjupakha, Motithang, Zamazingka. Sangyegang, Yangchenphug, and Zilukha. A nightlife has begun to develop in Thimphu. Nightclubs have begun to spring up in the city. Thimphu’s nightclubs have a reputation for high-quality ambiance, entertainment, food, and music, and have hosted prominent Western celebrities. The city is well known as the hub of arts and crafts that are at display at the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, Handicrafts emporiums, Folk Heritage Museum, Voluntary Artists Studio, and National Textile Museum. Vajrayana Buddhism is the state religion and the dominant ethnic group is Drukpa of Kagyu Buddhism in Thimphu.
Hindus of Nepali ethnicity are dominant in certain areas. The city is known for its food, there are plenty of restaurants that serve both vegetarian non-vegetarian food with only a few pure vegetarian restaurants. Am education hub the city is home to the Royal University of Bhutan, Institute for Language and Culture Studies (ILCS), and Royal Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS). The city is well connected by road with all major towns of Bhutan and air link provides connectivity to India and Bangladesh. Manokwari, Indonesia, and Hokkaido, Japan is its sister city. There are several hotels that provide luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation. Thimphu is a must-visit place for tourists.
