Thimphu
Discover Thimphu
Thimphu (Dzongkha: ཐིམ་ཕུག།) is the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and with a population of around 115,000 (2017), it is the nation's largest city. While the Thimphu Valley has been home to small settlements for centuries — and a dzong has stood there since 1216 — the city itself only began to take shape after it was declared the capital in 1961. Vehicles arrived the following year, marking the beginning of its transformation into Bhutan’s administrative heart. Since then, Thimphu has seen rapid development: tree-lined streets now frame the city, and the central clock tower area has become a park and open-air theatre hosting fairs and live cultural performances. In 2008, both the national stadium and a riverside park were completed. The district surrounding the dzong and government buildings remains one of the city’s greenest and most visually appealing areas.
What to Experience in Thimphu
Taste of Thimphu...
Most restaurants (including those in 2- or 3-star hotels) in Thimphu stop serving food between 20:30 and 21:30. For information about restaurants in hotels, check the sleep section of this article. After 21:00, Norzin Lam plays host to street hawkers, selling some of the best thukpa (Bhutanese style noodle porridge) and momos (meat or veg filled steamed dumplings) in town. The hawkers at the lower end of the street, between Druk Hotel and old taxi parking area are reputed to be the best. Upscale hotels (see the Splurge section in Sleep below) have restaurants. Thimphu has a large number of cafés; only those with distinctive character are included here. Thimphu has few scintillating night clubs, which can be very glamorous with a low entry fee (approx Nu 250 per person). The drinks are also generally inexpensive and the staff friendly. While bars are open every night and close at midnight, the disco-type clubs are open on only on W F and Sa, and close at 03:00. Most of Thimphu's budget hotels are on Norzin Lam (the main road through the city), especially above the Clock Tower. Anything that costs less than Nu 1,000 will offer nothing more than a worn bed, a basic toilet, and about enough space to place a bag. The main door will probably be closed by 22:00 at the latest. Negotiate the rate, especially off season. The area code for Thimphu is 02. When calling from overseas dial +975 2 XXXXXX Internet cafes in Bhutan are linked to broadband. Connections are reasonably swift.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Thimphu.
Bhutan's small population means demand for new and innovative goods is limited. Thimphu has three kinds of stores: clothing, handicraft and hardware. Between these, there is a small assortment of stationery, bookshops, and supermarkets. Almost all shops stock the same goods, so if you cannot find the required items in the first couple of stores it is generally useless to persist. Haggling at tourist-oriented shops is expected, but the margin for discount is small (unless you make a bulk purchase). However, shop owners are generally honest and there is little possibility to be cheated or offered an inflated price. Most handicrafts sold in Thimphu are made in Nepal or other Himalayan areas. Exceptions are cloth items, some thankas, goods made of lemon grass oil, incense, and Bhutanese coffee. The weekend market in Lower Market (across the river from the vegetable market) has over 100 stalls selling hand woven cloth and other handicrafts.
Climate
The winter season in Thimphu is very cold but dry, while the summers are wet and humid. The best times to visit are from mid September to the end of October and from March to May. 27.40888989.4205561 Paro Airport (PBH). is the country's sole international airport and a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from the capital. Bhutan has four domestic airports and two domestic and international carriers. To avoid the hefty airfare rates charged to foreigners flying into Bhutan, many overseas nationals opt to fly to Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri and then travel overland to Bhutan. The journey from Siliguri to Thimphu takes 9-10 hours. There is no direct bus, and passengers will need to change transportation in Phuentsholing. Indian taxis will travel as far as the border town of Jaigaon and will not enter Bhutan. All inter-district buses arrive and depart from the city's bus station across the river from the city centre.
Essential Information
Best Time to Visit
Sep – Maybest times to visit are from mid September to the end of October and from March to May....
Getting There
Multiple Options27.40888989.4205561 Paro Airport (PBH). is the country's sole international airport and a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from the capital. Bhutan has four domestic airports and two domestic and international carriers. To avoid the hefty airfare rates charged to foreigners flying into Bhutan, many overseas nationals opt to fly to Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri and then travel overland to Bhutan. The journey from Siliguri to Thimphu takes 9-10 hours. There is no direct bus, and passengers will need to change transportation in Phuentsholing. Indian taxis will travel as far as the border town of Jaigaon and will not enter Bhutan. All inter-district buses arrive and depart from the city's bus station across the river from the city centre. It is a 5-hour drive (mostly through Chukha (district) from the border town of Phuentsholing. Various private operators like Dhug, Meto and Sernya run Toyota Coaster bus services from Phuentsholing to Thimphu. These buses can seat 22 and are very comfortable....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The city centre is small enough to negotiate on foot. The city operates an efficient public bus service connecting the downtown with outer suburbs. The station for local buses, known locally as 'Bus Parking' is just east of Changlimithang Stadium. There is a set rate for taxis plying city routes — within the core area the rate is Nu 120 (Bhutanese ngultrum), while it costs around Nu 150-160 to nearby suburbs. There are taxi ranks on Norzin Lam (near the cinema hall and Punjab Bank). Taxis also cruise and can be hailed at any point. There are shared taxis from the city bus station ('Bus Parking'), and the rate is around Nu35-40 to suburbs within a 20- to 30-min drive. Although lacking the charm and culture associated with ancient capitals, Thimphu has several attractions of note.
Where to Stay
Most of Thimphu's budget hotels are on Norzin Lam (the main road through the city), especially above the Clock Tower. Anything that costs less than Nu 1,000 will offer nothing more than a worn bed, a basic toilet, and about enough space to place a bag. The main door will probably be closed by 22:00 at the latest. Negotiate the rate, especially off season. The area code for Thimphu is 02. When calling from overseas dial +975 2 XXXXXX Internet cafes in Bhutan are linked to broadband. Connections are reasonably swift. Getting work done in Thimphu is relatively straight forward. All offices are computerized and the staff are generally helpful. However, it is often said that Bhutan has one of the world's highest rates of meetings and workshops per working hours. This cannot be substantiated, but certainly meetings are very much part of the civil service culture here.
Money & Budget
Bhutan's small population means demand for new and innovative goods is limited. Thimphu has three kinds of stores: clothing, handicraft and hardware. Between these, there is a small assortment of stationery, bookshops, and supermarkets. Almost all shops stock the same goods, so if you cannot find the required items in the first couple of stores it is generally useless to persist. Haggling at tourist-oriented shops is expected, but the margin for discount is small (unless you make a bulk purchase). However, shop owners are generally honest and there is little possibility to be cheated or offered an inflated price. Most handicrafts sold in Thimphu are made in Nepal or other Himalayan areas.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Thimphu
Great Buddha Dordenma
Thimphu city view and prayer flags.
white and brown concrete houses near green trees under white clouds during daytime
Thimphu city
Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu is the capital fortress of Bhutan. The picture features with paddy fields in the foreground and with the low hanging clouds in the backdrop.
Thimphu city
Mystical Tibetan/Bhutanese snow Lion with the snowcapped mountain at backdrop.
A traditional Bhutanese gate in Thimphu, Bhutan.
A group of male dancers get ready for a traditional item during Thimphu Tshechu (festival).
The Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan (RTA) is located in Chubachu, Thimphu.
Great Buddha Dordenma
Thimphu city view and prayer flags.
white and brown concrete houses near green trees under white clouds during daytime