Punakha is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu and it takes about 3 hours by car from the capital Thimphu.

Punakha Town

It is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level and rice is grown as the main crop along the river valleys of two main rivers of Bhutan, the Pho Chu and Mo Chu. There are a lot of points to cover here, sharing some major points below.

Places to visit in Punakha:

Chimi Lhakhang

Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang or Monastery or temple, is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha District, Bhutan. Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel. The monastery is the repository of the original wooden symbol of phallus that Kunley brought from Tibet. This wooden phallus is decorated with a silver handle and is used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage, particularly women seeking blessings to beget children.

Dochu La Pass

The Dochula Pass is a mountain pass in the snow covered Himalayas within Bhutan on the road from Thimpu to Punakha where 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens" have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten (stupa) was built in 2004 by HM the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, in Nyizergang — about a thirty-minute walk uphill from the footbridge in Yepaisa Village. Its exterior is in the form of a pagoda like stupa while the interior consists of four stories containing images of the deities of mandalas of Vajarakilaya.

Punakha Dzong

The Punakha Dzong is also known as Pungthang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang (meaning "the palace of great happiness or bliss". It is the administrative centre of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures.

Punakha Suspension Bridge

Punakha Suspension Bridge links Punakha Dzong to Shengana, Samdingkha, and Wangkha villages across the Tsang Chu River (aka Po Chu). This is one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan. Yet, for a roughly 520-foot-long suspension bridge, it’s surprisingly stable. The bridge offers a spectacular view of the river and valley, and the east bank is a good starting point for multi-day treks in the nearby mountains.

Rafting in Mo Chu and Pho Chu River

Raft along the Pho Chu river for 16 kilometers with about 15 rapids of class 2-4 and also at Mo Chu river with 10 KM course comprising around 10 rapids with 2 or more than 2 rapids. This is a must thing to do for adventure lovers visiting Punakha.

Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang

The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery is perched on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful Punakha valley and Wangdue-Phodrang valley. Surrounded by rich lush green pine forest the nunnery complex is a true expression of Bhutanese architecture portraying strong traditional values. The temple houses a 14-feet bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig with thousand hands and thousand eyes). Apart from this, the temple is home to several other statues which include those of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the 21 Taras and Buddha of longevity. The statue of Avalokiteshvara which is claimed to be the biggest in the country was handmade by local Bhutanese artisans.

Trek in Jigme Dorji National Park

With an area of 4,349 sq. km, the Jigme Dorji National Park is the largest protected area in Bhutan. It is one of the most biologically rich areas in the Eastern Himalayan region, and stretches from warm broad-leaved forests to permanent ice fields and glaciers on Bhutan’s north-western border. Trek through the wooded jungles of Jigme Dorji National Park. The great trekking trails take you through dense cypress forests along the mountainside. You also have a chance to sight Bhutan’s strange national animal, the Takin, and the rare Blue Poppy, which is Bhutan’s national flower.