2 km
from city center 1 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second largest dzong in the country. It was here that the first national assembly was held in 1953 and it remained the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955. Not only does this dzong boast of Bhutanese architectural marvel, but it also remains culturally important for housing sacred relics of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal, the Tibetan Buddhist lama and unifier of the country of Bhutan.

2 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Starting from Gasa Dzongkhag district near Tibet and Bhutan border, the Mo Chhu(River) flows towards Punakha in the central region of Bhutan. It then joins the Po Chhu from the northeast of Bhutan. Although there are two rivers named Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) in Punakha, the latter one is widely preferred for the first-timers, kids and elderly people.

1 km
from city center 3 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

The second-longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, Punakha Suspension Bridge is perched over the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu (river) and is about 160-180 meters in length. It is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the world that connects Punakha Dzongkhag to the rest of the valley. Believed to be built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the bridge has undergone several years of renovation.

2 km
from city center 4 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Starting from Gasa Dzongkhag district near Tibet and Bhutan border, the Mo Chhu(River) flows towards Punakha in the central region of Bhutan. It then joins the Po Chhu from the northeast of Bhutan. The confluence of the two rivers is right below the Punakha Dzong which is a treasure trove of experiences as activities like Rafting and Kayaking are carried out here.

7 km
from city center 5 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Located an hour outside Punakha village, Chimi Lhakhang, (also known as Chime Lhakhang) is a Buddhist monastery best known for its worship of the phallus. It stands on a round hillock said to resemble breasts and is decorated with phallic symbols all along its walls. It was built in honour of Drukpa Kunley, the “Divine Madman” who preaches Buddhism through humour and sexual tones.

28 km
from city center 6 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Bhutan is a country which always believes in preserving the traditional valuables and respects its natural resources. And following its footsteps, Jigme Dorji National Park not only houses the distinct flora and fauna but also provides them with all the essential resources, facilities and care. Stretching over an area of 4316 square kilometres, Jigme Dorji National Park is the second largest national park of Bhutan.

17 km
from city center 7 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Dochula Pass is a breath-taking mountain pass, in commemoration of Bhutanese soldiers who passed away in military operations for the country. Along the Dochula Pass, there are 108 memorial chortens (also known as stupas) called the 'Druk Wangyal Chortens' for each soldier's life lost in the war.

8 km
from city center 8 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Located after a hike of 45 minutes from a small hill having a beautiful prayer wheel, Khansum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is a spectacular site to visit because of the beautiful view of the surroundings that it offers. It has a very rich history as to why it was built and it is a pleasure to hear it from one of the local guides. It is adorned with beautiful paintings of Sakyamuni, which makes this chorten a must watch.

7 km
from city center 9 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Overlooking Punakha, Wangduephodrang and Toebesa Valleys, Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery is a temple as well as a nunnery perched over a ridge. Initially, the complex had 41 nuns with 70 rooms but now it houses over a hundred nuns. With a 14-foot bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara and few other bronze statues, the nunnery was consecrated by his holiness Je Khenpo.

28 km
from city center 10 out of 10
Places To Visit in Punakha

Popular for rice cultivation, the Ritsha village is where you would find both red and white rice grown in Bhutan. Located in Punakha on the banks of Mo Chu and Pho Chu river this village is famous for its majority production of rice. The word Ritsha means "at the base of the hill". The village is surrounded by the rivers, paddy fields and hills making it one of the must visit places in Punakha.