Thimphu - Capital of Bhutan

Thimphu

National Memorial Choeten
A sacred shrine built in memory of the 3rd King. It is dedicated to world peace and prosperity.

Worshippers at the Choeten

Tashi Chhoe Dzong (aka Fortress of the Glorious Religion)
Bhutan's administrative and religious centre. Also houses the throne room of His Majesty the King and government ministries.

Below are some pictures take at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (or School of Arts & Crafts).

a student doing his drawing before commencing on his wood carving

some of the final products of the students from the wood carving class

clay statue-making class

weaving in progress (the school also has weaving classes. but these 2 pictures were not taken from the school, it was taken from a commercial weaving factory, using silk as the material)

painting class

on our way drive up to Tango Monastery

prayer flags along the way

rock wall painting of Guru Rinopoche

Semtokha Dzong (5 miles from Thimphu)

It is the oldest Dzong in the country and now houses the Institute of Language & Cultural Studies

Dochula Pass
It is the most known pass in Bhutan, you will usually need to go by this pass when travelling between Thimphu and Punakha or Wangdue. There are 108 chortens, called "Druk Wangyel Chorten", built by the queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, to honour His Majesty the 4th and his people for their victory in the war fought in the southern region of Bhutan in 2003 and for the benefit of all sentient beings.

On a clear day, and if you are lucky, you can have a picturesque view of the Himalayas mountain ranges at the pass.