Rinpung Dzong

History of Paro Rinpung Dzong

Perched on the steep hillside of Paro, Rinpung Dzong during 17th and 18th century served as a bastion for the Bhutan against invasion from the north. With its intricate wood work, large beams slotted into each other and held together without nails Rinpung Dzong is regarded as one of the finest example of Bhutanese architecture.

Built with clay instead of stoned Paro Rinpung Dzong survived a massive earthquake in 1897 although it was destroyed by fire in 1906. Right after the fire, Rinpung Dzong was rebuilt by the Penlop Dawa Penjor.

Things to see

• Huge collection of sacred masks and customs
• The sacred Thongdel
• Intricate wooden design adorning the walls of Rinpung Dzong
• Panoramic view of Paro Valley
• Prayer hall of Paro Rinpung Dzong decked with amazing murals depicting the life of Milarepa, a point and saint from Tibet.

Interesting Facts about The Sacred Thongdel of Rinpung Dzong

Did you know? Thongdel of Rinpung Dzong is made out of the finest silk and cotton. And being considered as a sacred artifact it is only displaced once a year for a few hours during the annual tsechu.

Rinpung Dzong is also one of the sites listed in the Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO.

Festivals In Paro Rinpung Dzong

Annual Tsechu where visitor can witness the ancient masked dance. This dance is performed by the monks of Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Places to see near Paro Dzong

There are plenty of sightseeing places you can explore near Paro Dzong. But, some of the most-visited sightseeing places are-

1. Taktsang Monastery

One of the must-visit places near Paro Dzong is the world-famous Taktsang Monastery. Situated at a distance of 16 km from Paro Dzong, Taktsang Monastery is a Cliffside monastery in the upper Paro Valley. It is also known as the Tiger's Nest, whose breathtaking beauty and charm attracts thousands of tourists to visit Paro every year.

A thrilling panoramic view of the astounding mountains and lush green forest below the monastery makes it an unskippable sightseeing place near Paro Dzong.

2. Kyichu Lhakhang

Kyichu Lhakhang is another place to visit near Paro Dzong. Situated at a distance of 9 km from Paro Dzong, it is one of the oldest temples in the entire Himalayan region. The temple is full of religious significance. A big garden, replete with various colorful flowers and apple trees, is what makes the temple more appealing.

Apart from its astonishing beauty, the temple is quite neat and clean. Furthermore, you can see an orange tree in the temple premise which bears fruits all through the year.

3. National Museum of Bhutan

Established in 1968, Bhutan's National Museum cannot be ignored as one of the places to visit near Rinpung Dzong. Situated at a distance of just 7 km, it is a round-shaped museum where plenty of ancient books and artifacts are preserved. Approximately 3000 Bhutanese arts can also be seen here.

4. Chele La Pass

Situated at a distance of more than 37 km, Chele la Pass should be on your list to visit near Rinpung Dzong. It is the highest motorable pass in the entire Bhutan, where you can feel the serenity and tranquility of nature. Moreover, you will get a fascinating view of Mount Jomolhari and Mount Jitchu Drake.

5. Paro Weekend Market

If you are fond of shopping, you can visit the Paro Weekend Market. Get to know the traditional Bhutanese dress Gho and Kira. Try some of the local Bhutanese flavors such as Tsirang honey, khoo, and chugo.

Reasons to visit Paro Dzong

There are not one but plenty of reasons to visit Paro Dzong.

• You can get to know a huge collection of sacred masks and customs.
• You can have a closer look at the sacred thongel.
• You will get a breathtaking view of the Paro Valley.
• You will witness amazing architecture and murals of Paro Dzong.

How To Reach Paro Rinpung Dzong

Travelers can simply walk to Paro Rinpung Dzong from the main town of Paro Valley. From the main town it takes approx 20 mins to reach Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Distance: The distance between Paro to Rinpung Dzong is 3 kilometers.

Paro Rinpung Dzong Timing

Traveler should note the timings if they want to visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. The timings of Paro Rinpung Dzong are as follows: 8am-6pm from March to October and 8am-4:30pm from November to February.

Our Tour Packages offering on Paro Dzong

Bhutan is full of sightseeing places and tourist attractions. With North Bengal Tourism's affordable Bhutan tour packages, you can visit most of your desired destinations of Bhutan. But here are some of the tour Packages including Paro Dzong, you may chose.

• Best Bhutan Tour Packages for 6 Days including the fascinating Rinpung Dzong.
• Affordable Bhutan Tour Plan for 5 Days.
• Bhutan Holiday Tour for 6 Days including Thimpu, Paro, and Punakha.
• Best Bhutan Package to explore the Tiger's Nest Monastery, Rinpung Dzong, Haa Valley & Chele La Pass, etc.