7 Most Beautiful Places in Bhutan for Nature Lovers

Bhutan is renowned for its Buddhist monasteries and stunning fortresses as much as for its spectacular mountain views and beautiful scenery. The natural beauty of this ancient Himalayan kingdom is one of the main reasons people come here for holidays.

An outstanding Himalayan country that has taken environmental tourism to a whole new level, this small and isolated kingdom on the southern edge of the Himalayas is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. And with around 65-70 percent of the country devoted to the natural forests, this is an evergreen nation that abounds with spectacular views and fantastic sights.

Top 1: Tiger's Nest - An Ingenious Work by both Nature and Man

The premier destination in Bhutan, the famed Tiger’s Nest is one of the most unique monasteries on the planet. And it is a must-visit spot on your Bhutan tour. Built on the narrow ledge of the cliff face, more than 900 meters above the floor of the Paro Valley, The Taktshang Monastery lies on the site where it is said Padmasambhava first landed when he arrived in Bhutan from Tibet. Flying on the back of a tigress that was his former consort, this legend has given rise to the name of the site of the meditation caves where he spent more than three years. The monastery itself is a feat of unique construction that consists of four temples built in the 17th century, and is the iconic symbol of Bhutan.

The hike up to the monastery is renowned as one of the most popular hikes in the country. A trek that is not too hard for anyone to handle, the hike to the monastery generally takes around 5-6 hours, and a little less for the descent. Halfway up the trail lies a teahouse where you can get refreshments, and the last stretch of the hike takes you across the bridge to the actual mountain the monastery lies on. The views from the trail and the ledge of the monastery are spectacular and incomparable anywhere in the world, and the beauty of the landscapes around is breathtaking.

Top 2: Dochula Pass in the Clouds

Located on the road from Thimphu to Punakha, the famous Dochula Pass is one of the highest road passes in Bhutan. Sitting at an elevation of around 3,100 meters, the pass is also the location of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang and the Druk Wangyal Khang Zhang Chortens.

The temple at the crest of the pass was built after the chortens, and is set in a location that gives it one of the most stunning backdrops ever. The monastery itself was built to celebrate 100 years of the monarchy in Bhutan, and the monastery is decorated with paintings of Bhutan’s varied history. Some of the murals include the Fourth King fighting the Indian rebels, a Druk Air flight flying over the mountains, and a monk using a laptop.

The most popular attraction of this singularly unique mountain pass are the group of 108 memorial chortens that line the road at the bend of the pass itself. The chortens were erected on the central hillock of the pass under the patronage of the former queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. The chortens are a standing memorial to the 108 soldiers that lost their lives in the battle against Indian rebels in December 2003.

Top 3: Mo Chhu for the Stunning View of Punakha Dzong

A major river in Bhutan, the Mo Chhu is the male river of Punakha, and it is at the confluence of this river with its female counterpart, the Pho Chhu, that lies the most beautiful Dzong - Punakha Dzong in Bhutan. This is also what you can’t miss when you travel to Bhutan. The best views of the stunning fortress are from the opposite bank of the Mo Chhu, looking across the confluence to the jacaranda-lined avenue that runs alongside the pristine white walls of the Dzong. Built by the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche in the 17th century, it is the second oldest Dzong in Bhutan and houses the sacred relics of the Drukpa Lineage.

The Mo Chhu is not just the river where the Dzong lies, but is a popular attraction in itself. One of the largest rivers in Bhutan, it is filled with rapids and makes for an awesome location for white-water rafting. More than a dozen sets of rapids fills the river from class 2 to class 4, and you can take them on in either an inflatable raft with other riders or in a kayak alone, if you are an experienced river kayaker.

Top 4: Phobjikha Valley for the Rare Black-necked Cranes

An immense U-shaped glacial valley, the Phobjikha or Gangtey Valley is located in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag. One of the most famous valleys in Bhutan, this unique location is the home of the famous Gangteng Monastery, the most impressive monastery of the Nyingma tradition in Bhutan. The monastery is also renowned for its connection to the rare and endangered black-necked cranes that come to the valley for the winter from their summer resorts in northern Tibet. On their arrival and departure from the valley each year, the cranes circle the monastery three times, making this an auspicious event for the devout Buddhist Bhutanese people.

The valley also offers a short nature-trail style trek around its length. The trail gives an amazing chance to view some of the wondrous scenery that this outstanding valley has to offer. You can trek the trail inside a single day, and still have time to explore the monastery and surroundings.

Top 5: Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park for the Pristine Beauty of Bhutan

Formerly known as the Black Mountains National Park, the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park is the largest nature preserve in Bhutan, and covers almost the whole of the Trongsa district, as well as parts of Sarpang, Tsirang, Zhemgang, and Wangdue Phodrang districts.

While the park is renowned for its pristine beauty and the variety and diversity of flora and fauna, it also represents one of the most unique examples of Himalayan ecosystems in Asia. Covering a wide range of natural habitats and climactic zones, the park is also the only preserved example of an old-growth Chir Pine forest on the planet.

Top 6: Trongsa in the Mystical Misty Valley

Set in a classic misty mythical valley in Bhutan, Trongsa is a unique town in Bhutan, located on a high and steep ridge that overlooks the deep valleys surrounding it. The capital of the Trongsa District, the name actually means “new village”, and is the location of the first temple in Bhutan, built in 1543.

The Chökhor Raptentse Dzong, also known as the Trongsa Dzong, is the largest Dzong in Bhutan. The fortress is a 17th century Dzong that was once the seat of power for the Wangchuck family, who are the modern ruling royal family of Bhutan. The Dzong lies on the spur of the ridge above the Mangde Chhu Gorge, and was responsible for controlling east-west trade in Bhutan for centuries.

Top 7: Bumthang Valley for the Beautiful Fields

While the renowned Bumthang Valley in the Bumthang District of Bhutan is a popular place to visit on tours to central Bhutan, it is actually the name given to the four separate valleys that make up this cluster of valleys in the center of the Dzongkhag. Renowned as one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan, and even in the entire Himalayas, Bumthang is made up of the valleys of Choekhor, Tang, Chhume and Ura.

Filled with natural forest scenery, this is also the location of some of the most fantastic trekking tours in Bhutan, which meander through the four valleys area. The main town Jakar, lies in the center of the conglomeration of valleys, and is the location of the only brewery in Bhutan, which brews the famous Red Panda wheat-based beer.

Conclusion

Bhutan is one of the most outstanding destination on the planet for natural landscapes and scenery. For nature lovers, this beautiful Himalayan kingdom really is the last Shangri-La, and is one of the most spectacular destinations you can find for forests, meadows, alpine lakes, and protected virgin woodlands. So if you are thinking of traveling to visit the rare and unique ecosystems that this blue planet has to offer, Bhutan has to be top of the list.