Discover the Majestic Simtokha Dzong: A Fortified Jewel of Bhutan
Explore the architectural wonder of Simtokha Dzong, a historic fortress in Bhutan, rich in culture, spirituality, and breathtaking views.
Nestled in the serene hills of Bhutan, Simtokha Dzong is a stunning fortress that serves as both an architectural marvel and a spiritual haven. This historic site, rich in culture and history, invites tourists to explore its intricacies and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
A brief summary to Simtokha Dzong སེམས་རྟོགས་ཁ་རྫོང་།
- 846 Je Bamo Lam SE, Tshatshobaykha, Semtokha, BT
- +97517900131
- Monday 9 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
- Thursday 9 am-5 pm
- Friday 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday 9 am-5 pm
- Sunday 9 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Visit during the early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds.
- Dress respectfully, as this is an active monastery; modest clothing is appreciated.
- Don’t miss the chance to chat with local monks and learn about their daily routines and practices.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning views, but be mindful of the sacred spaces where photography may not be allowed.
Getting There
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Walking
If you are starting from the center of Paro, head towards the main road (Paro-Thimphu Highway). Walk along the highway in the direction of Thimphu. After about 1.5 kilometers, you will see a sign for Simtokha Dzong on your right. Follow this road uphill for about 500 meters, and you will reach the entrance to Simtokha Dzong.
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Local Bus
From the Paro bus station, take a local bus heading towards Thimphu. Make sure to inform the bus driver that you want to get off at Simtokha Dzong. The journey should take around 20 minutes. Once you arrive, walk back a short distance to the Dzong entrance, which is on your left.
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Bicycle
If you have rented a bicycle, start from Paro town and ride along the Paro-Thimphu Highway heading towards Thimphu. After approximately 1.5 kilometers, look for the sign for Simtokha Dzong. Turn right onto the road that leads uphill for about 500 meters until you reach the Dzong.
Discover more about Simtokha Dzong སེམས་རྟོགས་ཁ་རྫོང་།
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