Phuntsholing
The gateway to the south, it is a thriving commercial
centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains.
From here, heading onwards, the road twists
and turns into the Himalayan foothills, passing
through lush forests and scattered villages
at altitudes upto 8,000 ft.
Paro
This beautiful valley with its rich terraced
farmland is home to some of Bhutan's oldest
temples and monasteries. It also has Bhutan's
first airport. An ancient watchtower holds the
National Museum, while overlooking the valley
is the cliff-side "Tiger's Nest' monastery
of Taktsang.
Thimphu
The capital of Bhutan, and the centre of government,
religion and commerce. It is a unique city,
with an unusual amalgamation of modern development
and ancient religion.
Punakha
The old capital of the kingdom has a temperate
climate almost all year round. Punakha Dzong,
at the confluence of the Po and Mo (father and
mother) rivers, is the winter home of the monastic
community. one can savour splendid views of
the distant Himalayas on the road to Punakha
from Thimphu.
Wangdiphodrang
The last town on the central highway before
one reaches central Bhutan, Wangdiphodrang is
like a large village with a few well-stocked
shops. Located towards the south of Punakha,
the higher reaches of the Wangdiphodrang valley
provide rich pastureland for cattle. This place
is also famous for its fine bamboo work and
slate and stone carvings.
Gangtey / Phobjikha
Towards the east of Wangdiphodrang is an old
monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the
17th century. A few kilometres past the Gompa
on the valley floor is the village of Phobjikha.
This place is the winter home of the black-necked
cranes that migrate from the arid plains in
the north to pass winter in the milder climate
of the valley. Bumthang
The wide central valley of Bumthang is the ancestral
home of Buddhism in Bhutan, and is a place of
pilgrimage for the Bhutanese people. Its many
important monasteries and temples contain a
wealth of valuable religious artefacts.
Mongar
The second largest town in the subtropical east,
Mongar, like Tashigang further east, is situated
on the side of a hill, next to a river on the
valley floor like other towns in the kingdom.
Tashigang
The most important eastern town in Bhutan, Tashigang
is the centre of one of the most populated districts
in the kingdom, an area where much of the nation's
finest weaving comes from. In the valleys of
Merak and Sakteng live the remarkable yak-herders.
Samdrup Jongkhar
The road from Tashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar
was completed in the early 1960s and enables
the eastern half of the country to access and
trade with the south as well as to cross the
Indian border. There is little for travellers
to see in this area, which is used more as a
convenient exit town.
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