Paro is the second most important town of Bhutan next to Thimphu. Paro is the only town in Bhutan having International airport. There are many interesting places and tourist attractions in Paro such as, Paro Dzong, Dungse Lahkhang, Ta Dzong, Kichu Lhakhang, Takstang Lhakhang etc. This video shows the detail sightseeing of Paro town.
Jangtsa Dungtse Lhakhang is a chorten like temple at about one km from Paro town. It is clearly visible from the bridge on Paro Chu river. You have to cross the river Paro chu through the bridge and go a km or less to reach the lhakhang. This lhakhang is very old and was built in 15th century. It has three floors representing hell, earth and heaven. The inside looked dark because we went from bright daylight outside. The buddha temple and paintings inside are very beautiful.
The large prayer wheel in Paro bazaar is the most attractive prayer wheel in Paro. It is situated on the road side clearly visible to the passers by. There is a round shaped artificial water body around the wheel. The colors are very attractive and ideal for photography. On the opposite side of the road, there is a very old Lhakhang. I could not know its name properly, some said it was bazar lhakhang, some said it was Paro Natsta lhakhang. As they said the lhakhang is very old and sacred.
Rinpung Dzong (also known as Paro Dzong) is the most important structure in Paro which was builit in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the then ruler of Bhutan. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. The dzong is a massive fortress. The Dzong houses the monastic bodies and many important offices of Paro, like that of the judge. However, the dzong is open to the visitors and allowed for photography. The design and architecture is wonderful. There is a beautiful Lhakhang inside the dzong. Some films like Little Buddha were filmed in and around this dzong.
Ta Dzong (or Bhutan National Museum) is located above Ringpung Dzong. You may go by road or climb through a short cut route through the mountain. The entry fee for Ta dsong is 10 nu for locals, 50 nu for SAARC and 200 nu for outside tourists. Photography not allowed inside museum. As the dzong is located at great height, the whole paro town is clearly visible from here. The views of Himalayan Mountains and the river Paro Chu are magnificent from here.
Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan. Some say that it was constructed in 7th century. It is about 5 kms from Paro town on the way to Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger Nest Monastery).. The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples, out of which one is old and another is new. There is one beautiful chorten at the entrance and another at the back side. The chortens look beautiful with golden tips. On the other side of the lhakhang there are three very large Prayer wheels. Inside the lhakhang there is beautiful buddha idol and very spiritual atmosphere. Please see the video for more.
Taktsang Lhakhang or Tiger Nest Monastery is the highest buddhist spot in Bhutan. It is built on a cliff about 1200 meters above paro town. One has to go about 10 kms from Paro town and walk for 3 hrs to reach this place. A total of 5 hours trekking is required for this monastery (climbing 3 hours+ return 1.5 hours). The route was extremely adventurous through the himalayan mountains. As there is no place to stay in Taktsang lhakhang you have to come back on the same day. Hence nobody starts trekking after 1 o’clock as it would be be impossible to return after that. The route to the monastery is mystical and you must visit there or see this video. The route is much more complex than anybody’s imagination. Although it was difficult for a day we brought with us a wonderful memory for the whole lifetime. There are 5 temples inside the Tiger Nest monastery. Each temple has different type of buddha statue and beautiful decorations. The atmosphere inside the temples was very spiritual. The views were wonderful from the cliff which was about 1200 meters above Paro town and about 3200 meters above sea level. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
Paro is a beautiful tourist destination in Bhutan. This video shows the general views of Paro town, such as, Paro bazaar, Paro chu (river), distant views of Dungtse lhakhang, Ringpung Dzong (zoomed), Ta Dzong (zoomed), himalayan mountains, hotel dragon, bazaar prayer wheel, bazaar lhakhang monastery and chortens on the way to Paro dzong. For details on specific tourist points in Paro and Thimphu please view my other videos on Bhutan. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHOtyGWMrDcbfw-wYoW63chqIanWN0PPi
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