Discover the Grandeur of Jakar Dzong: A Historical Gem in Bhutan
Explore Jakar Dzong, Bhutan's largest fortress-monastery, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes converge in splendid harmony.
Jakar Dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan, is an architectural marvel that attracts tourists from all over the world. Constructed in the 17th century, this fortress-monastery is not just a government office but also a vibrant center of culture and spirituality in the region. The majestic structure is perched on a hill overlooking the beautiful Bumthang valley, providing visitors with stunning panoramic views that are nothing short of breathtaking. The dzong is characterized by its traditional Bhutanese architecture, with intricately carved wooden windows and elaborate frescoes that depict historical events and Buddhist teachings. Visitors will find the dzong’s interior equally captivating, as it houses sacred relics and important scriptures. The main temple, adorned with colorful murals, provides insight into the rich spiritual life of the Bhutanese people. The serene ambiance of Jakar Dzong makes it an ideal spot for reflection and photography, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the local culture. Exploring the surrounding gardens and paths offers a glimpse of the local flora and fauna, making it a perfect setting for nature lovers as well. Don’t miss the chance to participate in local festivals held at the dzong, where vibrant cultural performances showcase the living traditions of Bhutan. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, Jakar Dzong promises an enriching experience that will leave a lasting impression.
Local tips
- Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.
- Dress modestly when entering the dzong, as it is a sacred site.
- Don't forget your camera; the views from the dzong are stunning.
- Check local festival dates for a chance to experience traditional Bhutanese celebrations.
- Take time to explore the surrounding area for hiking and nature walks.
A brief summary to Jakar Dzong བྱ་དཀར་རྫོང་།
- Jakhar Dzongkhag Office, Jakar, BT
- +9753631200
Getting There
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Car
If you're traveling by car, head towards Jakar from Trongsa. The distance is approximately 68 kilometers and the journey will take around 2 to 3 hours. Start on the Trongsa - Bumthang Highway (also known as the East-West Highway). Follow the signs for Jakar as you approach the town. Once you reach Jakar, look for signs leading to Jakar Dzong, which is located near the Jakhar Dzongkhag Office.
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Public Transportation
To reach Jakar Dzong using public transportation, take a bus from the Trongsa bus station to Jakar. Buses generally depart in the morning and the journey takes about 2 to 3 hours. Upon arrival in Jakar, you can either walk or take a local taxi to Jakar Dzong, which is a short distance from the main bus stop. Ensure to check the bus schedule ahead of time as the frequency may vary.
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Taxi
For those preferring convenience, hiring a taxi from Trongsa to Jakar is an option. This will allow you to travel at your own pace. The fare can range from 2000 to 3000 Ngultrum depending on negotiation and the condition of the vehicle. After reaching Jakar, the taxi can drop you off at the entrance of Jakar Dzong.
Attractions Nearby to Jakar Dzong བྱ་དཀར་རྫོང་།
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Jakar Nagtshang
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Jakar Lhakhang
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Bumthang Valley
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Chokhor Chorten
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Bumthang Brewery Red Panda Beer
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Chamkhar Bridge ལྕམ་མཁར་ཟམ་པ།
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Airport viewpoint B
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Airport Viewpoint A
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Jamphel Lhakhang བྱམས་་པ་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Könchogsum Lhakhang དཀོན་མཆོག་གསུམ་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Kurjee Zangdopelri
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Tamshing Lhakhang གཏམ་ཞིང་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Kurjey Lhakhang སྐུ་རྗེས་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Padtselling Monastery
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Choedrak ཆོས་བྲག།