Currencies
Background

Discover Tranquility at the National Memorial Chhorten

Embrace the serene beauty and spiritual essence of Bhutan at the National Memorial Chhorten in Thimphu, a revered Buddhist temple and cultural landmark.

4.5

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

  • FJ8Q+J47, Chhoten Lam, Thimphu, Chang Khorlo, BT

The National Memorial Chhorten, located in the heart of Thimphu, is a beautiful testament to Bhutan's rich Buddhist heritage and is one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. Built in 1974 in memory of the third king of Bhutan, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, this stupa is adorned with intricate designs and sacred symbols, captivating visitors with its architectural brilliance and tranquil setting. As you approach the Chhorten, the sight of its white dome topped with a golden spire creates an inviting atmosphere, perfect for reflection and spiritual contemplation. Visitors to the National Memorial Chhorten will find themselves surrounded by a serene environment, with locals often engaging in traditional practices such as circumambulation and prayer. The temple grounds are alive with the sounds of chanting, the scent of incense, and the sight of vibrant prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, creating a deeply immersive experience. Whether you are a spiritual seeker or a curious traveler, taking part in the rituals or simply observing the local devotees can provide a unique window into Bhutanese culture. Photography enthusiasts will also delight in capturing the stunning scenery and the intricate details of the Chhorten. As the sun sets, the stupa is illuminated, providing a picturesque backdrop for memorable photographs. The location is easily accessible, making it a perfect stop during your exploration of Thimphu. With its peaceful aura and cultural significance, the National Memorial Chhorten is more than just a tourist attraction; it is a heartwarming reminder of Bhutan’s devotion to its spiritual roots.

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning to enjoy a quieter atmosphere and witness the locals performing their daily prayers.
  • Dress modestly and respectfully; wearing traditional Bhutanese attire is encouraged.
  • Take your time to stroll around the stupa, observing the beautiful details and engaging with local worshippers.
  • Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the stunning architecture and panoramic views of Thimphu.
widget icon

Experience National Memorial Chhorten རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྗེས་དྲན་མཆོད་རྟེན།

Getting There

  • Car

    If you are driving from Zhemgang Town, head northeast on the main road (National Highway 2) towards Wangdue Phodrang. After approximately 70 km, take a right turn onto the road leading towards Thimphu. Continue for about 120 km until you reach Thimphu. Once in Thimphu, follow the signs to Chhoten Lam, where the National Memorial Chhorten is located. The monument is situated near the center of Thimphu, and you can easily find parking in nearby areas.

  • Public Transportation

    To reach the National Memorial Chhorten by public transport, first take a bus from Zhemgang to Thimphu. Buses depart from Zhemgang's main bus station and the journey takes around 3-4 hours. Once you arrive in Thimphu, disembark at the main bus terminal. From the terminal, you can take a taxi or a local bus to Chhoten Lam. The Chhorten is a short distance from the main bus terminal, and most local taxis will know how to get there.

  • Walking

    If you are already in Thimphu, you can walk to the National Memorial Chhorten from the city center. Head south on Norzin Lam, continue straight until you reach the T-junction. Take a right turn onto Chhoten Lam. The Chhorten is approximately a 20-minute walk from the city center. Enjoy the scenic views along the way as you walk through the heart of Thimphu.

Popular Experiences near National Memorial Chhorten རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྗེས་དྲན་མཆོད་རྟེན།

Popular Hotels near National Memorial Chhorten རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྗེས་དྲན་མཆོད་རྟེན།