Discover the Majestic Jakar Dzong
Explore Jakar Dzong, a stunning fortress in Bhutan offering rich history, breathtaking views, and a glimpse into local culture amidst the Himalayas.
A brief summary to Jakar Dzong བྱ་དཀར་རྫོང་།
- Jakhar Dzongkhag Office, Jakar, BT
- +9753631200
Jakar Dzong, often referred to as the 'Castle of the White Bird', is a breathtaking example of Bhutanese architecture and a symbol of the rich history of the Bumthang Valley. This majestic fortress, with its towering walls and intricately carved wooden windows, commands a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. Built in the 17th century, it has served both as a religious and administrative center, making it a focal point of local governance and culture. Visitors can explore the spacious courtyards and the beautifully adorned temples within the dzong, which are filled with striking murals and sacred artifacts that tell stories of Bhutan's spiritual heritage. The dzong is not only a government office but also a vibrant tourist attraction, drawing visitors with its historical significance and picturesque surroundings. The site is enveloped in lush greenery, with the serene Chamkhar Chu river flowing nearby, offering a peaceful atmosphere for reflection and exploration. The annual festivals held here, such as the Jakar Tshechu, showcase traditional music, dance, and rituals, providing tourists with an immersive cultural experience. Jakar Dzong stands as a testament to Bhutan's architectural brilliance and enduring traditions, inviting travelers to step back in time while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Himalayas. For those planning a visit, it’s important to note that the dzong operates during specific hours, typically from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. Although there is no admission fee, donations are welcomed to help maintain this historical site. The best time to visit is during the spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the surrounding landscapes are at their most vibrant, creating a picturesque backdrop for exploration and photography.
Local tips
- Visit during the Jakar Tshechu festival for an unforgettable cultural experience.
- Bring a camera to capture the breathtaking architecture and scenic views.
- Respect local customs and dress modestly when visiting religious sites within the dzong.
- Plan your visit during weekdays to avoid larger crowds.
- Take time to explore the surrounding areas and enjoy the serene landscapes.
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་།
- Jakar Nagtshang
- Jakar Lhakhang
- Bumthang Valley
- Chokhor Chorten
- Bumthang Brewery Red Panda Beer
- Chamkhar Bridge ལྕམ་མཁར་ཟམ་པ།
- Airport viewpoint B
- Airport Viewpoint A
- Jamphel Lhakhang བྱམས་་པ་ལྷ་ཁང་།
- Könchogsum Lhakhang དཀོན་མཆོག་གསུམ་ལྷ་ཁང་།
- Kurjee Zangdopelri
- Tamshing Lhakhang གཏམ་ཞིང་ལྷ་ཁང་།
- Kurjey Lhakhang སྐུ་རྗེས་ལྷ་ཁང་།
- Padtselling Monastery
- Choedrak ཆོས་བྲག།