Places to Visit in Paro
As one of Bhutan’s loveliest destination, Paro enjoys stunning valley landscape as well as many must-be-visited cultural attractions. Before your flight landing on the Paro Airport, you can appreciate the green valley with idyllic views from a high level. When you travel in Paro Valley, lots of traditional farmhouses with elegant decorations will be seen. In addition, visits to the top attractions in Paro will make your journey more unforgettable. The most popular attractions include Taktsang Monaster, Rinpung Dzong, Bhutan National Museum etc. Check Top 8 Places to Visit in Paro>
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Taktsang Monastery - Landmark of Bhutan
Type: Religious Sites, Landmarks
Recommended Length of Visit: one day
Perched on the side a shape cliff 900 meters above the floor of Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is Bhutan’s most miraculous monastery as well as one of the most venerated Buddhist sites. It goes a legend that Guru Rinpoche once flew to this site on a tiger to overpower a devil and then he mediated in the cave for three months, so Taktsang Monastery is also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. 2 hours trekking to this monastery is necessary for superb views.
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Paro Sunday Market - Bhutanese Real Life Experience
Type: Vegetable Market
Recommended Length of Visit: .0.5 ~ 1 hr
Just as its name suggests, Paro Sunday Market is an outdoor market located in central town only open on Sunday. Not famous and large as Thimphu Weekend Market, it shows much thicker traditional feelings. On every Sunday, the local people will come here to purchase for the food materials and vegetables. It gives travelers a good time to learn the local products and experience the local life. If you want to feel the busiest atmosphere, visit the market during 6:30 ~ 10:30 am.
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Rinpung Dzong - Bhutan’s Most Classic Architecture
Type: Sights & Landmarks
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 2 hours
Rinpung Dzong, also called Paro Dzong, was constructed in 1644 on the original foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. Standing on steep hillside next to Paro Chhu, this magnificent dzong holds a prominent site in the Paro Valley. You can see its massive buttressed walls throughout the whole valley. People always regard Rinpung Dzong as the finest model of Bhutanese architecture and travelers are always impressed by its brilliant stones and wood structures.
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Kyichu Lhakhang - One Ancient Monastery
Type: Sacred & Religious Sites
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 hour
Kyichu Lhakhang is a small but old monastery with a lot of history. Just like world-famous Jokhang Temple in Tibet, it was also built under the order of Songtsen Gampo to subdue a demoness in 659. Now, it is one of the most ancient monasteries in Bhutan. In the outside garden of the monastery, you can see beautiful prayer wheels. While entering Kyichu Lhakhang, you can enjoy many delicate murals. One statue of Sakyamuni has attracted many pilgrims to get blessings.
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National Museum - Exhibition of Bhutan's History & Culture
Type: Museum
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 hrs
Located at the top of the hill above Paro Dzong, Bhutan National Museum is a unique rounding building in a shape of a conch shell. Though the museum is compact, it is very interesting. There are many sections that show the history and culture of Bhutan. You can learn various animals which symbolize different emotions in first section, different Buddhist gods in the second section, statues by some famed sculptors in the fourth section and statues of animals in the fifth section.
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Chele La Pass - View Point of Snow Peaks
Type: Scenic Drive
Recommended Length of Visit: 20 minutes
Chele La Pass, about 40km to Paro, is a high pass with an elevation of almost 4,000 meters above the sea level. If you get to the Haa Valley, you can a stop at the Chele La Pass. This pass offers a breathtaking view of snow-covered ranges in distant. The rows of fluttering colorful prayer flags in front of the snow peaks look very enchanting as well. The blueish sky allowed for great photos on both sides of the pass. The wind might be strong, so make sure you take enough warm clothes.