Buddha Dordenma Statue སྟོན་པ་རྡོར་གདན་མ།, Eastern Bhutan Travel Guide

Getting There

• Car

  If you are driving from any location in Eastern Bhutan, start by heading towards Thimphu. Use the main highway that connects various eastern towns like Trashigang or Mongar to Thimphu. The drive will take around 6-8 hours depending on your starting point. Once you reach Thimphu, follow the signs to Kuenselphodrang. The statue is located on a hill overlooking the city, and there are clear road signs directing you to the Buddha Dordenma Statue. There is ample parking available at the site.

• Public Transportation

  If you prefer public transport, take a bus from your location in Eastern Bhutan to Thimphu. Buses operate regularly from towns like Trashigang and Mongar to Thimphu, with the journey taking approximately 8-10 hours. Upon reaching Thimphu, you can take a taxi or a local bus to Kuenselphodrang. Taxis are available outside the bus station, and the fare to the Buddha Dordenma Statue should be around 200-300 Nu (Bhutanese Ngultrum). Local buses may be cheaper but check the schedule as they may not run frequently.

• Taxi

  If you are already in Thimphu, you can hire a taxi to take you to the Buddha Dordenma Statue. The taxi ride from the city center to Kuenselphodrang generally costs around 300-500 Nu. Make sure to negotiate the fare beforehand if the taxi does not have a meter. The journey will take approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic.

• Walking

  For those adventurous enough to walk, you can hike from Thimphu to the statue. The walk takes about 1-1.5 hours from the city center and involves a steep incline, so be prepared with proper footwear and water. The path is well marked and offers beautiful views of the city and surrounding hills along the way.