Paro is one of those places in Bhutan that instantly makes you feel calm. It’s a small town in the Paro Valley, surrounded by green hills, traditional houses, and wide fields of rice. The air feels cleaner, the sky looks brighter, and everywhere you go, you’ll hear the sound of prayer flags moving with the wind.
Paro is not just beautiful, but also an important part of the history of Bhutan. It’s a home to more than 150 temples and monasteries, some as old as the 14th century. Bhutan’s only international airport is also in Paro, and people say it is one of the hardest airports in the world for planes to land. If you are going to Paro these are some of the best places you should see.
If you are going to Paro these are some of the best places you should see.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang)
Even if you’ve never been to Bhutan, you must have definitely seen a picture of this place. The Tiger’s Nest is built right on the edge of a cliff, it looks like as if it’s almost hanging there and has a long history. The hike to reach is not at all easy. It takes about two to three hours, depending on how many times you stop. But honestly, stopping often is worth enough. As you climb up, views of the valley keeps getting better
When you finally reach the top, the silence feels heavy, but peaceful. Inside, there’s the smell of incense and old wood. You can almost imagine the monks from centuries ago who prayed in the same spot.
Timings : 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Entry Fee : BTN 500
Rinpung Dzong
This is a big old fortress right in Paro town. It’s literal meaning is “Fortress of a Heap of Jewels”. It’s not just for tourists, people still use it for government work and religious programs. From the top, you can see the river flowing down below. If you visit in spring, you might see the Paro Tshechu festival, where people wear colorful clothes dances with wearing masks. At night, when the lights glow, the Dzong looks golden and beautiful.
Timings : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee : No Entry Fee
National Museum of Bhutan
Right above the Dzong, there’s the National Museum. It’s located inside an old round watchtower. It was made to protect against Tibetan soldiers and was later converted to Museum in 1968. Inside you’ll find masks, weapons, old clothes, artifacts, and more than 3,000 paintings that tell about Bhutan’s past and culture. The museum is small but really nice if you want to understand the country a bit more.
It’s a must-visit for anyone who is curious about history and culture. From the museum, you can also enjoy a great view of Paro town and the valley below.
Timings : Summers: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM,
Winters: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Entry Fee : Bhutanese: BTN 10,
SAARC Nationals: BTN 25,
Non-SAARC Nationals: BTN 150,
Monks, Nuns, Children (under 10): No Entry Fee
Chele La Pass
If you love mountains, you must visit the Chele La Pass. It is the highest motorable road in Bhutan, located at around 13,000 ft. The drive is long and twisty, but the view is amazing. You can see snow mountains including Mount Jhomolhari. and even yaks sometimes. The air is cold and thin, but it feels so pure. If you go early morning, it looks like you’re standing above the clouds. It connects Paro Valley with Haa Valley. It’s a great place to take photos, literally!
Entry Fee : None
Tachog Lhakhang Bridge
When you travel from Paro to Thimphu, there’s an old iron bridge built over the river. It’s said to be made by Thangtong Gyalpo in the late 1300s, who e built 108 bridges all over Tibet and Bhutan. The bridge shakes a little when you walk, but that’s fun! From the middle, the view of the river and fields looks perfect, especially when the sun is going down.
Entry Fee : None
Druk Choeding Temple
Also called Tshongdoe Naktsang, this is a small temple in Paro town. It’s not crowded, very quiet, and if you go at sunset time, you can hear monks chanting. The main attraction in this temple is the statue of Future Buddha called Jhampa. It’s a simple place but gives a calm feeling inside. It was built in the 15th century by Ngawang Chogyel. It is one of the most beautiful monasteries of Bhutan.
Timings : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee : No Entry Fee
Paro Chhu
The Paro Chhu river is like the heart of Paro. It flows quietly through the valley and makes everything around it look more beautiful. This river is actually a branch of the bigger Wong Chhu river. It passes by the famous Tiger’s Nest and Paro Dzong, giving both places such a grand look from far away.There’s also a small bridge called Nyamai Zam built over the river.
If you like some adventure, rafting in the Paro Chhu river is really fun to do. The water is cold and clear, and it looks very fresh. Many local travel groups plan rafting and kayaking here, and they give you all the safety stuff like life jacket and helmet, so you don’t need to be scared.
Timings : Anytime
Entry Fee : No Entry Fee
Zuri Dzong
Zuri Dzong is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in the 12th century. It stands on a hill above Paro and can be seen from many parts of the valley. There is also a cave near the dzong where Buddha is believed to have meditated in the 8th century.
The fortress is surrounded by strong walls and connected by a bridge. The five-storey building looks grand and peaceful at the same time. Many people visit it for a short hike, and from the top, you can see the wide and beautiful view of Paro Valley with its green fields and small houses.
Timings : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee : No Entry Fee
Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang Temple
If you are finding some different or less known places in Paro, then Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang Temple is one you should see. It is made on a small hill between Paro and Dopchari valleys. The special thing about this temple is that it looks like a chorten, not like a normal temple. This is quite rare in Bhutan.
There are many stories about this temple. People say it was made by a Tibetan lama named Thangton Gyalpo. The story tells that he built this temple to stop bad spirits and to show the win of Buddhism.
The temple has three floors and each floor means something. One is for earth, one for hell and one for heaven. It is small but really different from other monasteries you see in Paro.
Timing: 09:00AM – 05:00PM
Entry Fee: None
Airport View Point
The Paro Airport Bird’s Eye View Point is one of those spots that you just shouldn’t miss. From here, you can see the whole Paro town spread out below you. Since Paro Airport is counted among the top ten most beautiful airports in the world, you can already guess how amazing the view must be.
Surrounded by tall green mountains, the scene looks so colorful and bright that it almost feels unreal. Watching planes land or take off between the hills is something you don’t get to see every day. It’s one of those views that make you stop and just say “wow.” Indeed, it’s an instagram worthy place.
Timing: Throughout the Day
Entry Fee: No Charge
Paro is a small town but it leaves a strong memory. The people are simple and friendly, and life moves slowly here. You can walk around, see the hills, visit the temples, and feel close to nature. The air is clean and everything looks fresh.
When you go back home, you will still remember how calm this place felt. Just like many parts of the Himalayas, from Paro to Sikkim, every spot has its own kind of peace that stays with you long after you leave. Paro is not just a place to see, it is a place to feel.
