The Living Legacy of Bhutan: National Museum
Experience the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan at the National Museum, where history, art, and breathtaking views converge.
The National Museum of Bhutan, an architectural marvel perched on a hill overlooking Paro Valley, is not only a repository of Bhutanese history but also a testament to the nation's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. Established in 1968, this museum showcases an extensive collection of artifacts that tell the story of Bhutan's evolution through the ages. Visitors can explore exhibitions featuring traditional Bhutanese art, historical weapons, intricate textiles, and religious artifacts, all curated to provide insights into the rich tapestry of Bhutanese culture. One of the highlights of the museum is the remarkable collection of thangka paintings, which are traditional scroll paintings that depict Buddhist deities and narratives. The museum also houses an impressive array of armory, showcasing the martial history of Bhutan. As you wander through the various galleries, you will encounter displays that reflect the country's deep-rooted spiritual beliefs, the significance of festivals, and the vibrant history of its people. In addition to the indoor exhibitions, the museum's location offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the picturesque Paro Valley, making it a perfect spot for photography and contemplation. The serene atmosphere combined with the educational experience makes the National Museum a must-visit for tourists looking to immerse themselves in the unique culture of Bhutan. Make sure to take your time to appreciate the intricate details of the exhibits and the stunning architecture that houses them.
Local tips
- Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours to fully explore the museum and its exhibits.
- Visit during weekdays for a quieter experience and more personal interactions with staff.
- Don't forget your camera; the views from the museum are stunning!
- Check for any special exhibitions or events happening during your visit to enhance your experience.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the museum is located on a hill and requires some walking.
A brief summary to National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
- CCHG+F5G, Paro, BT
- +9758271511
Getting There
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Walking
If you are in the center of Paro, start at the Paro Dzong, which is a prominent landmark. From the Dzong, walk down the main road (Punakha Highway) towards the town center. Continue straight until you reach the intersection near the Paro Airport. Turn left at the intersection onto the road leading uphill towards the National Museum. Follow the road, which will take you past some local shops and residences. The National Museum is located on a hilltop, so you will need to climb a few steps to reach the entrance. The walk will take approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on your pace.
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Bicycle
Rent a bicycle from one of the local shops in Paro. Begin your journey from the Paro Dzong or the town center. Cycle down the Punakha Highway toward the airport intersection. Upon reaching the intersection, take a left and ride uphill towards the National Museum. The road is relatively steep, so be prepared for a workout. It will take around 20-30 minutes to reach the museum by bike.
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Local Taxi or 'Doma'
You can catch a local taxi or 'Doma' from any central location in Paro, such as the town square or near the Paro Dzong. Simply inform the driver that you want to go to the National Museum. The ride will take around 10-15 minutes, and the fare should be reasonably inexpensive. Ensure you confirm the price before starting your journey.
Attractions Nearby to National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
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Jangsarbu Lhakhang
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Zuri Dzong
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Valleys Of Bhutan
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Paro
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Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang | ཟླུམ་བརྩེགས་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Khangkhu Lhakhang
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Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point
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Choemthangkha Menchhu
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Bondey
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Dasho Nishioka Chorten
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Kyichu Lhakhang སྐྱིད་ཆུ་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Ugyen Pema Woedling Zangthopelri
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Dzongdrakha Monastry
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Drakarpo
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Kila Goenpa Nunnery
Landmarks nearby to National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
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Rinpung Dzong རིན་སྤུང་རྫོང་།
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Rinpung Dzongkhag
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Aum Choden
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Hungrel Gewog Office
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Paro Dzongkhag Archery Ground
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Druk Choeding Lhakhang
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Drakarpo Monastery
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Chhoeten Lhakhang, Paro, Bhutan
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Paro Town Shop No.12.Empty space for rent
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Lama Tshering Dorji General Shop
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Mountain Cafe - Paro
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Sonam trophel restaurant
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My Kind Of Place
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BHUTAN COFFEE & ROASTRY
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Gangtey Palace, Paro