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Paro

General Information about Paro

Located about 20 kilometres west of Bhutan's capital city Thimphu is another of the nation's best known cities, Paro. Paro is one of the most historic valleys in Bhutan and is currently home to over 20,000 people. The city has the closest cultural connection with neighbouring country Tibet as the Tibetans came into Paro across the head of the valley to trade goods.

Paro is a very cultural city and features many historical and sacred sites such as Taktshang Monastery, Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong, Ugyen Peiri Thang and Chhoeten Lhakhang. Other attractions in the city include the National Museum of Bhutan and the Sunday Market.

Taktshang Monastery is the most well known of all the monasteries in Paro and Bhutan. The monastery is located on a cliff, about 700 metres above the bottom of the Paro Valley and was built in the late 1600's. Taktshang translates to 'Tiger's Nest' in English and has become the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. A fire raged through the monastery in 1998 and destroyed some of the original buildings, but they have since been restored.

One of the oldest temples in Bhutan is Kyichu Lhakhang which was built by the Tibetan King Songsten Group in the 7th century and orignally a monastery. Ancient legend says that a demoness lay across Tibet and the Himalayas to prevent Buddhism from spreading so the Tibet King Songsten Group constructed 108 temples which were places over significant parts of her body. Kyichu Lhakhang is one of these temples.

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