See

Simtokha Dzong

Semtokha Dzong

Built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha was the first dzong to be built in a unified Bhutan. It houses the country's main Dzongkha language learning institute.

Getting there: 5 km south of Thimphu

Directions Suggest a nearby place

Listing from Wikivoyage: Thimphu, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Eat
Madam Yen
Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Stylish interior. Large picture windows. Friendly and efficient service. Excellent coffee and desserts.
Drink
Bingsu
A small cosy cafe inside a resort courtyard. Open to non-resort residents. Serves cappuccino and Americano. Specializes in East Asian shaved-ice desserts and custard tarts. A wide rage of homemade ice-cream.
Open Wed-Sun
See
Botanical Gardens
On lush hillside about 10 km from the city, the gardens offer a peaceful and relaxing environment to spend a few hours. Botanists will find the wide selection of indigenous trees and plants of interest.
See
Statue of Dordenna Buddha
Sitting on top of Kuensel Phodrang hill is a 51.5-m bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. The site also offers unobstructed views over the Thimphu Valley, which are especially stunning at sunset.
Nu500 for all non-Bhutanese