Discover the Rich Heritage at the National Museum of Bhutan
Explore Bhutan's cultural treasures at the National Museum, a fascinating journey through history, art, and nature in the heart of Paro.
The National Museum of Bhutan, located in the picturesque valley of Paro, serves as a treasure trove of the country's rich cultural heritage and history. Housed in the former Watch Tower of the Paro Dzong, the museum's architecture itself is a sight to behold, blending traditional Bhutanese designs with modern museum practices. As you step inside, you're greeted by a variety of exhibits that showcase Bhutan's vibrant history, from ancient artifacts to contemporary artworks. The museum's collection includes textiles, weapons, and religious artifacts, each telling a story of the nation’s past and present. One of the highlights of the museum is the extensive collection of thangkas (traditional Bhutanese paintings), which offer insight into the spiritual and religious practices of the Bhutanese people. The museum also provides visitors with a chance to learn about Bhutan's unique biodiversity and the conservation efforts underway in the country. The panoramic views from the museum are breathtaking, providing an opportunity to appreciate the stunning landscapes that surround Paro. Visiting the National Museum is not just about observing artifacts; it’s about experiencing the essence of Bhutanese culture. Engage with knowledgeable staff who are eager to share insights and stories behind the exhibits. Whether you're a history buff or simply looking to explore Bhutan's cultural roots, the National Museum promises an enriching experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for this enchanting Himalayan kingdom.
Local tips
- Plan your visit during weekdays to avoid crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience.
- Don't miss the guided tours available, as they offer deeper insights into the exhibits.
- Check the museum's website for special exhibitions and events that may coincide with your visit.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning views of the Paro Valley from the museum.
- Allocate at least two hours to fully explore the various exhibits and enjoy the surroundings.
A brief summary to National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
- CCHG+F5G, Paro, BT
- +9758271511
Getting There
-
Walking
Starting from Punakha Dzong, head northeast on the main road (Punakha - Wangduephodrang Highway). Walk along this road for about 1.5 kilometers until you reach the junction near the bridge over the Punakha River. Cross the bridge and continue walking straight for another 2 kilometers. You will pass local shops and eateries along the way. Look for signposts toward Paro. After approximately 20 minutes, you will arrive at the bus station in Punakha. From here, take a local bus heading to Paro. The bus ride will take around 1.5 to 2 hours. Once you arrive in Paro, follow signs to the National Museum, which is located on a hill overlooking the town. It's about a 20-minute walk uphill from the bus stop.
-
Bicycle
If you have access to a bicycle, you can cycle from Punakha to Paro. Begin at Punakha Dzong and follow the same route as described for walking, using the Punakha - Wangduephodrang Highway. The cycling distance is roughly 15 kilometers, which should take you about an hour depending on your speed and fitness level. Upon reaching the bus station in Paro, you can park your bicycle there and then walk to the National Museum, which is a 20-minute uphill walk from the station.
Attractions Nearby to National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
- Jangsarbu Lhakhang
- Zuri Dzong
- Valleys Of Bhutan
- Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang | ཟླུམ་བརྩེགས་ལྷ་ཁང་།
- Khangkhu Lhakhang
- Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point
- Choemthangkha Menchhu
- Bondey
- Dasho Nishioka Chorten
- Kyichu Lhakhang སྐྱིད་ཆུ་ལྷ་ཁང་།
- Ugyen Pema Woedling Zangthopelri
- Dzongdrakha Monastry
- Drakarpo
- Kila Goenpa Nunnery
- Tiger's Nest Hiking Trail
Landmarks nearby to National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
- Rinpung Dzong རིན་སྤུང་རྫོང་།
- Rinpung Dzongkhag
- Aum Choden
- Hungrel Gewog Office
- Paro Dzongkhag Archery Ground
- Druk Choeding Lhakhang
- Drakarpo Monastery
- Chhoeten Lhakhang, Paro, Bhutan
- Paro Town Shop No.12.Empty space for rent
- Lama Tshering Dorji General Shop
- Mountain Cafe - Paro
- Sonam trophel restaurant
- My Kind Of Place
- BHUTAN COFFEE & ROASTRY
- Gangtey Palace, Paro