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The Glossary

goemba - "a monastery."

From Bhutan Glossary

From a lowly settlement of the Bhutanese people, Thimphu is now an urban sprawl, providing a counterpoint to the traditional Bhutan, its former capital, Punakha, and its slow climbing into the fold of modernity. Despite the call of modernization, Thimphu is still not dancing to the beat: neon lights are still virtually non-existent. Its new buildings and apartment blocks feature traditional designs in the form of elaborately-painted windows and nail-less wooden frames, graced by the presence of Buddhist motifs and paintings.

Museums and Buddhist landmarks

The highlight of a visit to Thimphu is the giant temple of Changangkha Lhakhang, set southeast of the steep hillside of Motithang, Thimphu's school for traditional painting and the arts. From here, visitors can get to the Memorial Chorten and the Tashico Dzong, a centuries-old structure built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Other landmarks and museums in Thimphu include Tango Gonpa, Simtoka Dzong, Textile Museum, and National Folk Heritage Museum.

After swimming through artifacts and architecture, visitors may want to explore Thimphu's famous trekking routes like Jhomolhari, where it is possible to hike, raft, and do wildlife excursions.

Traditional crafts and food

Visiting the weekend market in Chubachhu provides the chance for visitors to meet the locals who converge on the bustling area, selling anything from Bhutanese jewelry to a wide range of local arts and crafts coming from Bhutan's its neighboring countries, India and Nepal. Colorful hand-woven textiles and crafts can also become great souvenirs since they capture the spirit of the place. An area in the market is devoted to the selling of fruits, vegetables, and fresh red rice.

Thimphu photography

Thimphu Bhutan, by druk123

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