Tag: Clock Tower

Bhutan is a beautiful country. Ever since I visited Thimphu, I have longed to make a return trip. The mountains, the fresh crisp air, the warm and friendly people are just some of the reasons why I would love to visit Bhutan again. It definitely deserves the title – The Last Shangri-La on Earth.

In this section, the Best Places to Visit in Thimphu Bhutan is presented. Just a few, for a start. There is the Clock Tower, the famous Changangkha Lhakhang Temple, Tashichho Dzong, and even Bhutan’s National Animal – the treasured Takin. I hope you enjoy what I share here.

If you are looking for information about Bhutan, How to Get There, Weather in Bhutan, and more, please visit our page about Bhutan.

Clock Tower Square

When you visit Thimphu, Bhutan, you cannot miss the famous Clock Tower Square where there is the well known clock tower. This place is the center of the city, and where important events are held. Details and more photos about the Clock Tower Square – Read More.

Changangkha Temple (aka Changangkha Lhakhang)

Best Places To Visit In Thimphu Bhutan, an ancient temple named Changangkha Lhakhang that has a mysterious and mystical ambience. Definitely a must visit! - Click on Image to Read More — Best Places To Visit In Thimphu Bhutan, an ancient temple named Changangkha Lhakhang that has a mysterious and mystical ambience. Definitely a must visit! – Click on Image to Read More

This is one of the oldest temple in Thimphu, Bhutan. You definitely must visit this place!

Resting at the top of a hill, this temple is beautifully designed with colorful ancient Bhutanese crafts, sculptures and artworks. Do not miss the huge prayer bell. See the photos and watch the videos to get a sense of the magical experience you will get here. Read More

Bhutan’s National Animal – The Takin

What To Do In Bhutan - See Takin, Bhutan National Animal - Click on Image to Read More — What To Do In Bhutan – See Takin, Bhutan National Animal – Click on Image to Read More

Protected by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Takin is also a national treasure of Bhutan. Today, this mysterious and mystical creature is classified as ‘Vulnerable’. Before you visit Bhutan, you must read this article. I provide you details of what the Takin is, and also the legend of how the Takin was created by the gods. Read More

Tashichho Dzong

Formerly, this was the fortress monastery. Now, it is the seat of government. It is rare that photos of inside the Tashichho Dzong are taken. Fortunately, the ruling was relaxed during one of the major festivals. Check out this impressive building and the seldom-seen interior. Read More

Radio Tower Hill

Timotheus reached the top of Rado Tower Hill - Click on Image to Read More — Timotheus reached the top of Rado Tower Hill – Click on Image to Read More

Check out that awesome view of Thimphu valley and the city. It makes the climb up Radio Tower Hill totally worth the blood, sweat and tears. All right. All right. So, there was only sweat. But it was not an easy climb. Plus, there were some interesting sights along the trek. Read More

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I will be sharing more Best Places to Visit in Thimphu, Bhutan. Please do join my I Love Travel community to receive updates.

If you have ANY questions about Best Places To Visit In Thimphu Bhutan, or any of the above articles, ANY at all, please submit your questions as comments below. I will be happy to help you out.

Thank you for reading this.

Wishing you and your loved ones safe and happy travels,

Timotheus

Hey everyone, I am Timotheus. When I am not giving lectures, I love traveling and visiting cities and towns all over Asia. It is a thrill for me to find and share awesome places to see, great tasting food to eat, and restful rooms to get a good night’s sleep.

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One of the many Best Places To Visit In Thimphu Bhutan is the famous landmark that is the Clock Tower Square situated at the heart of the city, Thimphu, Bhutan. It is a popular venue for important events such as cultural festivals, sports events, concerts, fund-raising events, movie award ceremonies, trade fairs, live musical shows, and even once hosted the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Car Rally.

This is one of the Best Places To Visit In Thimphu Bhutan - the famous landmark in Thimphu, Bhutan - Clock Tower Square — Best Places To Visit In Thimphu Bhutan – Clock Tower Square, © Timotheus Lee for Asia Travel Gems

It is located just below Norzin Lam, which is sort of like the main street of Thimphu.

This is Norzin Lam, the main street of Thimphu, Bhutan. Just down the sidewalk is the famous landmark - Clock Tower Square — Norzin Lam – the main street of Thimphu, Bhutan, © Timotheus Lee for Asia Travel Gems

Things To Do In Bhutan – The Famous Clock Tower

And of course, one of the Things To Do in Bhutan is to see the famous Clock Tower. Why is it famous? Well, it is very beautiful, and it is the first clock tower ever built in Bhutan.

* Interesting Fact – The Clock Tower has four faces, each displaying a different time. When I first noticed that I thought they may be showing different times at different locations. Sadly, a close friend who worked there, and whom I visited and stayed with, informed me that they were just not well maintained.

The same friend added that the clock tower was the first ever built in Bhutan. Some time back she was dug out and temporarily stored away while the area was renovated into a square. After the renovations were done, she was placed back at the center of the square.

The Clock Tower is very beautiful, and covered with intricate designs of traditional Bhutanese architecture. Rich Bhutanese carvings and paintings , traditionally hand crafted, showing images of flowers and gold painted dragons decorate the four sides of the Clock Tower. The dragons are symbolic, representing Bhutan as an independent dragon kingdom with the name – Land of The Thunder Dragon.

Things To Do In Bhutan – Traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (Prayer Wheels)

Around the square, there are Traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (Prayer Wheels) that are extraordinarily pretty to look at.

Things To See In Bhutan - Traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (Prayer Wheels) that are located at the Clock Tower Square in Thimphu, Bhutan — Things To See In Bhutan – Traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (Prayer Wheels), © Timotheus Lee for Asia Travel Gems

They are in the same Clock Tower Square, and feel free to spin the prayer wheels. Spinning prayer wheels is a common practice in Bhutan, you can almost say it is a Bhutanese way of life. They are seen almost everywhere in the country. The belief is that when a person spins or turns the wheels, they alleviate bad karma, and gain wisdom and merit. Some also believe that by turning the wheels, good luck is received.

Few days later, I was at Changangkha Lhakhang Temple, and saw locals spinning large and small karma wheels. To read about the temple and see videos of locals spinning karma wheels, Click Here

Things To Do In Thimphu Bhutan - Closer View of Traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (Prayer Wheels) that are located at the Clock Tower Square in Thimphu, Bhutan — Things To Do In Thimphu Bhutan – Traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (Prayer Wheels), close up view, © Timotheus Lee for Asia Travel Gems

The prayer wheels here are made of metal. And it can also be made from wood, stone, leather or even coarse cotton. In the picture above, the wheels are crafted with the Buddhist mantra – Om Mani Padme Hum. It is in the Sanskrit language, and cannot be easily translated into an English phrase. It is believed that when a person speaks or chants this mantra, the person will receive many blessings.

The prayer wheel structure is exquisitely decorated with traditional Bhutanese paintings and motifs. A real credit to the Bhutanese on how much effort and detail they place in this display. Don’t you agree (see both images below)?

Things To Do In Thimphu Bhutan - Traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (Prayer Wheels), close up view of traditional Bhutanese art — Things To Do In Thimphu Bhutan – Traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (Prayer Wheels), close up view of traditional Bhutanese art, © Timotheus Lee for Asia Travel Gems

Around The Clock Tower Square

When you have toured the city of Thimphu for few hours, and need a place to rest, this is an ideal location for that. There are many benches around the square for people to sit, relax and enjoy the view.

Also, around the square, one can find shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels in quaint three-storey buildings that are designed with a blend of fine traditional and modern Bhutanese architecture. They have multi-colored wood frontages, small arched windows and sloping roofs.

One of the properties that caught my eye was the Druk Hotel that is at this location. It looks luxurious, or as luxurious as can be in Bhutan. I heard from my friend who worked in Bhutan that this is quite a good hotel. Perhaps next time I will stay there?

We have come to the end of this article. I hope you enjoyed reading this.

If you have ANY questions about this article, about Best Places To Visit In Thimphu Bhutan – Clock Tower Square, ANY at all, please submit your questions as comments below. I will be happy to help you out.

Wishing you and your loved ones safe and happy travels.

Timotheus

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