The Serenity of National Memorial Chhorten
Explore the tranquil beauty of the National Memorial Chhorten in Thimphu, a symbol of peace and a key Buddhist site in Bhutan's rich heritage.
The National Memorial Chhorten, a prominent Buddhist temple located in the vibrant capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, is a must-visit for any traveler seeking to experience the spiritual heartbeat of the country. Constructed in 1974 to honor the revered third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, this stunning stupa is adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant prayer flags that flutter in the gentle mountain breeze. As you approach the Chhorten, you'll be greeted by the sight of devout locals and tourists alike engaging in the sacred practice of kora, where they circumambulate the stupa while chanting mantras and spinning prayer wheels. The rhythmic sounds of prayer and the scent of incense create a serene ambiance that captivates the senses. The stupa's design, featuring a golden spire and whitewashed walls, reflects traditional Bhutanese architectural styles and offers a picturesque backdrop for photographs. Inside, the Chhorten houses a variety of sacred relics and religious artifacts, providing a glimpse into the rich spiritual heritage of Bhutan. Visitors are encouraged to take their time, reflect, and absorb the peaceful atmosphere that this revered site exudes. Additionally, the surrounding gardens offer a serene space to relax and soak in the breathtaking views of the Thimphu valley, making it a perfect spot for contemplation. A visit to the National Memorial Chhorten is not just an exploration of a cultural landmark; it is an opportunity to connect with the essence of Bhutan's spiritual identity.
Local tips
- Visit early in the morning to experience the Chhorten in a peaceful setting with fewer crowds.
- Dress modestly and respectfully, as this is a sacred site.
- Take your time to walk around the stupa and engage with the local prayer practices.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture and vibrant surroundings.
- Don't miss the opportunity to interact with local monks and learn about their traditions.
A brief summary to National Memorial Chhorten 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
Getting There
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Car
If you are driving from Sarpang District, start by heading north on the Phuentsholing-Thimphu Highway (NH 2). Follow this highway for approximately 90 kilometers until you reach the outskirts of Thimphu. Once you enter Thimphu, continue straight until you see a sign for Chhoten Lam. Turn onto Chhoten Lam and follow the road until you reach the National Memorial Chhorten, which will be on your left. There is parking available nearby, but be mindful of any parking fees that may apply.
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Public Transportation
To reach the National Memorial Chhorten using public transportation, first take a local bus or shared taxi from Sarpang to Thimphu. This journey usually takes about 2-3 hours depending on traffic. Once you arrive at the Thimphu bus station, look for local buses or taxis heading towards Chhoten Lam. You can ask locals or the bus drivers for the best route to the National Memorial Chhorten. The entrance is a short walk from the bus drop-off point. Expect to pay a small fare for the bus and another nominal fee for the taxi if you choose to use one.
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Walking
If you are already in Thimphu, you can walk to the National Memorial Chhorten. From the city center (e.g., Clock Tower Square), head east towards Chhoten Lam, which is about a 20-minute walk (approximately 1.5 kilometers). Follow the main road, and you will see signs directing you to the Chhorten. The path is well-marked and offers a scenic view of the area.
Attractions Nearby to National Memorial Chhorten རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྗེས་དྲན་མཆོད་རྟེན།
- Clock Tower, Thimphu
- Centenery Childrens Park
- Travel Bro
- Thimphu Main Traffic
- Art Gallery
- Dagala, The Thousand Lake Trek, Bhutan
- EXPERIENCE BHUTAN
- Bhutan small vila tours and treks
- Centenary Park བརྒྱ་འཁོར་སྐྱེད་ཚལ།
- Walking Buddha Statue
- Bhutan Postal Museum
- Simply Bhutan
- Thimphu Ecological Park
- National Handicraft Emporium
- Buddha point hiking trail
Landmarks nearby to National Memorial Chhorten རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྗེས་དྲན་མཆོད་རྟེན།
- BHUTAN BEST INBOUND TOUR
- Trans Bhutan Trail
- Le Méridien Thimphu
- Clocktower Square
- Changlimithang Archery Ground
- Thijha
- Little Bhutan
- Bhutan Travelers
- Bhutan Trip
- Phajoding
- Thimphu Bhutan
- Hotel kenny
- Himalayan Experts Tours & Travels
- Khamsum Inn
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