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Discover Tranquility at the National Memorial Chorten

Explore the National Memorial Chorten, a breathtaking Buddhist stupa in Thimphu, where peace and spirituality intertwine in Bhutan's vibrant culture.

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The National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu is a stunning Buddhist stupa that serves as a focal point for spiritual practice and cultural exploration. Its intricate architecture and serene atmosphere make it a must-visit for tourists, offering a glimpse into Bhutanese heritage.

A brief summary to National Memorial Chorten རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྗེས་དྲན་མཆོད་རྟེན།

  • FJ8Q+J47, Chhoten Lam, Thimphu, Chang Khorlo, BT
  • Monday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Visit in the early morning to witness locals engaging in prayer and circumambulation.
  • Dress modestly out of respect for the sacred nature of the site.
  • Take your time to observe the intricate details of the murals and statues inside.
  • Be mindful of the local customs and rituals while visiting the Chorten.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From your accommodation in Punakha, head to the main road (Punakha-Wangdue Highway). If you're near the Punakha Dzong, exit the Dzong grounds and turn left onto the main road. Walk along the road in the direction of Wangdue Phodrang. After about 1.5 km, you will reach the bus station. Here, you can catch a local bus to Thimphu. Make sure to ask for the bus heading to Thimphu. The bus ride will take approximately 2-3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Once in Thimphu, get off at the main bus terminal. From the terminal, walk towards Chhoten Lam, which is about a 15-minute walk. Follow the signs or ask locals for directions to the National Memorial Chorten, which will be on your left.

  • Bicycle

    Rent a bicycle from a local shop in Punakha. Start your journey on the Punakha-Wangdue Highway, heading towards Wangdue Phodrang. The route is scenic, passing through beautiful landscapes. After biking for about 1.5 km, you will reach the bus station. Here, take a local bus to Thimphu. The bus ride will take about 2-3 hours. Once you arrive at the main bus terminal in Thimphu, park your bicycle in a safe area and walk towards Chhoten Lam. The National Memorial Chorten is approximately a 15-minute walk from the terminal, and you can ask locals for directions if needed.

  • Local Bus

    From Punakha, make your way to the local bus station, which is near the main market area. Look for a bus heading to Thimphu. The buses typically run every hour or so. The journey to Thimphu takes about 2-3 hours. Once you arrive at the Thimphu bus terminal, exit the terminal and head towards Chhoten Lam. The National Memorial Chorten is roughly a 15-minute walk from the bus terminal. Follow the road signs or ask any local for directions to ensure you are on the right path.

Unlock the Best of National Memorial Chorten རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྗེས་དྲན་མཆོད་རྟེན།

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Discover more about National Memorial Chorten རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྗེས་དྲན་མཆོད་རྟེན།

The National Memorial Chorten, an iconic Buddhist stupa located in the heart of Thimphu, stands as a symbol of peace and spirituality. Built in 1974, this revered monument was constructed in memory of the third king of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and is a significant site for both locals and tourists alike. Visitors are greeted by the sight of this striking structure adorned with intricate carvings, vibrant paintings, and golden spires that catch the sunlight, creating a truly mesmerizing view. The serene atmosphere surrounding the Chorten invites visitors to engage in reflection and meditation while observing the local customs and rituals that take place throughout the day. As you walk around the stupa, you’ll notice many locals circumambulating clockwise, a traditional practice that embodies devotion and respect. Inside the Chorten, you can explore the sacred spaces that house murals and statues, each narrating tales of Buddhism and Bhutanese history. The vibrant artwork not only captivates the eye but also provides a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance of this site. The National Memorial Chorten is not just a tourist attraction; it is a hub of cultural activity that offers insights into the daily lives of Bhutanese people. With its peaceful gardens and surrounding pathways, the stupa serves as an idyllic spot for leisurely strolls and photography. Make sure to visit during the early morning or late afternoon to experience the mesmerizing play of light on its delicate features, and to engage with the friendly locals who frequent this sacred space.

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