Royal Botanical Garden, Thimphu, Bhutan | Flora and Fauna

Royal Botanical Garden, Thimphu Overview

Situated on the Punakha road near Dochula Pass, Royal Botanical Garden is the first-ever botanical garden in Bhutan. It is an excellent place for horticulturists offering a variety of flora. The Botanical garden also houses a children's park and is a favourite picnic spot among locals.

Established in 1999, the Garden is spread across 47 square kilometres and located at the tri-junction of hill ranges of Sinchula, Helela and Dochula. An ex-situ plant conservation area, there are more than 500 species of plants found here. Many rare and threatened plant species are also found and preserved here.

In fact, youth and stakeholders are trained here in horticulture activities. There is a little pond in here, where you might catch monkeys bathing. It is a great picnic spot, where you can spend an evening with your family, appreciating the natural beauty and getting beautiful pictures clicked.

Flora and Fauna at the Royal Botanical Garden

The botanical garden has a range of forests, including cool broadleaf forests, mixed conifer forests, fir and subalpine forests and the temperate rainforest. The major plant is the rhododendron. There are 46 different species of rhododendrons found here. Apart from this, there are oak, magnolia and birch trees also. It is a popular birding site, having several distinct species of birds. Monal Pheasants and Blood Pheasants are some of the rare bird species conserved here.

Among animals, musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda, leopard cats etc. are some of the animals recorded here. It is not wrong to say that the botanical garden is a haven for animals and birds. The air is blooming with a floral scent, and the colourful flowers make the atmosphere vibrant and cheerful.

Trails at the Royal Botanical Garden

Being a beautiful natural site, there are many trails at the Royal Botanical Garden, such as Rhododendron walk, Serchu Nature Trail, Dochula Nature Trail, Lumitsawa Ancient Trail, Lungchu Tshey Pilgrimage and the Thadna Jungle Walk pass through here.

How To Reach Royal Botanical Garden, Thimphu

A cab can be taken from any part of Thimphu to reach the Royal Botanical Garden. Tashichho Dzong, Changangkha Lhakhang and Simply Bhutan Museum are located very close by.