Tourist Attractions in Bumthang Valley.

Bumthang (Valley) is one of the 20 dzongkhag(districts) comprising Bhutan. It directly translates as beautiful field, the name is said to have arisen after the construction of Jambay Lhakhang. It consists of the four mountain valleys of Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekar. All of these valleys have for centuries been the religious heartland of Bhutan. Bumthang has wide valleys, green countryside, snowcapped mountains and fast flowing mountain streams.

Bumthang was a quiet town for a long time with a finely tuned tradition and culture. The breathtaking valley is finally making a transition to modernity with all the elements of its rich past. The scenic valleys of Bumthang draws a large number of tourists each year. Bumthang is certainly one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bhutan. Here are 17 places to visit if you do find yourself in the most historic and sacred district of Bhutan.

This Temple was built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo. It is one of the 108 temples built by him across the Himalayas in one day to suppress the demoness. The other prominent ones are in Chorten Nagpo in Haa valley and Kichu in Paro valley. One of the most spectacular festivals in the country, called Jambay Lhakhang Drup is hosted here. The festival lasts for five days and the main highlight is the ritualistic naked dance. Unlike Thimphu tshechu festival and others, this festival is very unique and different.

It is considered as one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan. Located just before Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang consists of three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652, the first and the oldest structure of the three. It was here on the rock face where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century. The second temple is built on a cave containing a rock with the imprint of the Guru’s body. This building is also called Sampa Lhundrup temple and houses a colossal statue of guru Rimpoche. The Royal Grandmother Her Majesty Ashi Kesang built the third temple in the 90s. This building is also known as Ka Gon Phur sum Lhakhang dedicated to the happiness of all living beings in the kingdom. 108 Chortens surround these three temples.

This monastery was founded in 1501 by the Saint Pema Lingpa and is located across the river from Kurje Lhakhang. The temple houses ancient religious scrolls, paintings of the 1,000 Buddhas and 21 Taras or the female form of Buddhistava. Tamsing is the original house of the sacred dances that are celebrated at traditional Tsechus (festivals) throughout Bhutan.

Jakar Dzong translates to the Castle of the White Bird. According to legends when the lamas assembled to select a site for the monastery, a big white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a spur of the hill. This was interpreted as an important omen and the hill was chosen as the monastery’s site. The Tibetan Lam Nagi Wangchuk constructed it in 1549, and the Dzong played an important role as the fortress of defense for the whole eastern Dzongkhags of Bhutan. It also became the seat of the first King of Bhutan.

A special feature of the Dzong is the approximately fifty-meter-high Utse or tower, which is distinct from most other Dzongs in Bhutan. The annual 3 day Jakar Tshechu festival is held here in late October.

A little further from Jambay monastery lies Chakhar Lhakhang. It was first built as the palace of the Indian king Sindhu Raja. When it was first built, before the 10th century, the palace was constructed of iron – hence the name Chakhar, meaning iron castle. In the 14th century, Dorji Lingpa, a Buddhist saint, rebuilt it as a place of worship.

Although built in the 6th century, this temple was renovated in 1995 and so it has a modern look to it. Legend has it that the temple contained a large bell that when it was rung, the bell could be heard all the way in Lhasa, Tibet. During the 17th century marauding Tibetan Armies tried to steal the bell but because it was too heavy, they dropped the bell and in the process cracked it. It is now on display at the National Museum in Paro.

This temple was built by Shamar Rinpoche of the Kagyupa school of Buddhism in 1470 and is half an hour walk from Kurjey temple. The Temple is famous for its two sanctuaries and is dedicated to the Terrifying deities.

The Temple here is above the valley floor and it was built in the 15th century by Lama Namkha Samdup. It is little further from Thangbi is the region of Ngang Yul which translates to Swan Land. To honor the great Lama, a three day Nalakhar festival is held every winter where one can witness the famous masked dances native to Bhutan.

Ura valley in Bumthang is known for the famous dance known as the Ura Yakchoe festival. The dance is performed during the May festival that is held every year. During the festival a sacred and important relic is put on display so that the people can receive blessings. According to legend an old woman sitting outside her house was visited by a lama asking for a drink of water. When she came out with the water, the lama had vanished leaving behind only a sack. Out of curiosity, she opened the bag and found the statue that is now displayed annually. This relic has been passed down from generations and is still owned by the descendants of the woman. This is one of the most religious festivals of Bhutan.

Mebar Tsho is about 30 minutes drive from Bumthang town and is considered to be of immense religious significance drawing in pilgrims from near and far by the hordes. It is believed that in 1475 a Buddhist saint called Terton Pema Lingpa had a vision of the sacred treasures that Guru Rimpoche had hidden within the lake centuries earlier. However, the people of Tang and the local ruler were cynical of his claims. In order to prove his claims, Pema Lingpa held a butter lamp in his hand as he jumped into the lake.

After remaining under water for a long time he re-emerged holding a chest and a scroll of paper with the butter lamp held in his hand still burning bright. Thereafter, the lake came to be known as Mebar Tsho (the Burning Lake). The importance of the lake is obvious for visitors by the line of prayer flags and clay offerings found in everywhere along openings in rocks.

This palace was built in 1857 on the site of a battle camp of the Penlop of Trongsa – Jigme Namgyal. It is the first palace in Bhutan that was not designed primarily as a fortress. The important landmark in the history of Bhutan’s monarchy. The palace was the birthplace of the first king of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck. Wangdicholing palace was also for a time the home of the Third King, before he moved the royal court to Punakha valley in 1952. The palace and its ancillary structures remain a classic example of nineteenth century Bhutanese structure.

The family that owns Ogen (or Ugyen) Chholing has turned the complex into a museum to preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious studies, research and solitude. The fascinating and well-captioned exhibits offer real insights into the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family. It is a paradise for history lovers and gives insight into the rural life of the country.

Established by Fritz Maurer, one of the first Swiss to work in Bhutan, the Swiss Farm is a development project that is now run by his son. The project introduced brewing, farming machinery and fuel-efficient, smokeless wood stoves to the valley, as well as its first tourist guesthouse. The milk from large Jersey cattle is used in Bhutan’s only commercial cheese factory and Bhutan’s native beer, Red Panda, is brewed here.

This Nyingma monastery was founded on a hill top in the 1970s by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche. It has more than 380 monks in residence. It over looks Jakar Dzong and the beautiful valley of the Chamkar town below. The Assembly hall has massive statues of Guru Rinpoche, Chenrezig and Buddha.

The monastery is situated above the Chumey valley at 3600 m. It was founded by Longchenpa or Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363) during his self-exile from Tibet. The monastery was used as a place for meditation by Jigme Lingpa, Nyoshul Khen Rimpoche and Dilgo Khyenste Rimpoche.

This hike to Pasaling Gompa will take about 3 hours. This hike begins with a gradual climb through the blue pine forest. Visit the lhakhang which overlooks the beautiful Bumthang valley.

It is two hours walk above Drangchel in the Tang Valley and is beautifully situated against a vertical rock face that seeps holy water. It is one of the most important sites related to the Saint, Pema Lingpa. He constructed the temple here in 1488 and many of his sacred relics are kept here including the gilded stone bearing his footprint.