Overview
Take a trip to Paro on your Bhutan Vacation
On Bhutan vacations, you will certainly want to visit Paro, a charming town located in the Paro Valley, in the western part of Bhutan. Sitting at an elevation of 2280m, on the bank of Pa Chhu River, this historic town is close to the Tibetan border and was once the centre of two important trade routes to Tibet. Today, Paro Valley has a new road linking to Phuntsholing, a town along the Indian border.
Rinpung Dzong is a large monastery and fortress, constructed in 1646. With its towering five stories, Rinpung Dzong was used as an effective defence against numerous invasion attempts by the Tibetans. Rebuilt after a fire in 1907, the Dzong now houses a sacred collection of masks and costumes, dating back centuries. Across the hill above the Dzong is an ancient watchtower which later became the National Museum of Bhutan in 1967.
Along with other surrounding monasteries and fortresses, Paro Town, established in 1985, features a main street lined with colourful, traditional architecture. The buildings are comprised of small shops, institutions, and restaurants.
Filled with ancient customs, magnificent architecture, and elaborate scenery throughout, Paro is a quiet, spiritual place to enjoy nature and a sense of peace and tranquility on a Bhutan vacation.
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Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)What do the experts say?
You should absolutely attend a tshechu festival when visiting Bhutan, especially the one in Paro or Thimphu. These religious dance festivals are colourful, energetic, spiritual, and deeply rooted in local community life.
I love how Bhutan feels alive with spirituality—every valley has temples, fluttering prayer flags, and quiet paths.
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