Thimphu

In 1961, Thimphu became a municipality and developed to become the capital of Bhutan. Back in 1960, Thimphu was just a small community but was expanded by King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk in order to substitute the old capital of Punakha.

The Tashichoedzong, which is famous with tourists, has a multi-coloured masked dance festival at the end of the summer season.

Thimphu is among the two national capitals in Asia which does not utilize traffic lights, the other being Pyongyang in North Korea. Local upper-hands had set up lights, however, they were removed even before starting operation. In place for traffic lights, Thimphu City takes pride in their traffic policemen who directs the looming traffic with their dance like actions using their hands and arms.

The Memorial Chorten overlooks the Thimphu City’s skyline. This Chorten is bestowed to the 3rd Druk Gyalpo or King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk following his unexpected death while travelling outside the country.

The National Library was built in 1967 in the style of a conventional temple containing a large set of religious manuscripts and book in Classical Tibetan and Dzongkha, and a set of English language books. It holds a copy of the world’s biggest published book, as well.

The Buddha Dordenma sculpture is the biggest Buddha sculpture in the world. It is located on top of a mountain called Kuensel Phodrang, dominating the city of Thimphu.

Thimphu