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Bhutan's capital and largest town, Thimphu boasts an atmosphere that is relaxing and friendly. By wandering around the streets, you can begin to appreciate the Bhutanese way of life.

Established as the permanent capital of Bhutan in the 1950s, Thimphu has gradually grown over the last decade but remains a relatively small town dominated by the impressive Tashichoe Dzong.

The Dzong

Buildings steeped in ritual and tradition encircle the dzong's vast courtyards and house the secretariat, king’s headquarters and the summer residence of the central monk body, while nearby lies the world’s highest golf course.

Shops and market

Weekend market, ThimphuA wander along the streets is recommended and reveals small shops stuffed with indispensable goods imported from China and India and religious paraphernalia, while the weekend market attracts people from miles around to bargain for everything from dried chilies and yak butter to hand-woven textiles.

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Start planning your tailor-made trip to Thimphu by contacting one of our Bhutan specialists

Suggested itineraries featuring Thimphu

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Thimphu, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Thimphu

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Thimphu

    Our expert guides to exploring Thimphu

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Thimphu, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Thimphu at its best.

    • Festivals of Bhutan
      Paro tsechu, Bhutan

      Festivals of Bhutan

      Festivals of Bhutan

      Festivals are very important to Bhutanese people, they're a great excuse to celebrate and socialize. We can highly recommend incorporating a festival into your tailor-made trip to Bhutan, as an ideal way of immersing yourself in the country's culture.

      4 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Thimphu

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Thimphu. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing Thimphu

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Thimphu, and which use the best local guides.

    • Visit to the Weekend Market at Thimphu
      Weekend market, Thimphu

      Visit to the Weekend Market at Thimphu

      Visit to the Weekend Market at Thimphu

      People from surrounding villages start arriving on Friday evening and come to buy and sell produce, ranging from dried chilies and yak butter to textiles and bamboo products.

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