Bhutan
Tharpaling Goemba was founded by the Tibetan Nyingma (Dzogchen) philosopher and saint Longchen Rabjampa (1308–63). It has several temples and the compound sprawls over a steep mountainside.
It's possible to visit the goemba by driving 10km up a sealed road from the village of Gaytsa or by trekking over the hill from Jakar.
11.34 MILES
This commanding dzong, high above the roaring Mangde Chhu, is perhaps the most spectacularly sited dzong in Bhutan, with a sheer drop to the south that…
Tower of Trongsa Royal Heritage Museum
11.16 MILES
This watchtower (ta dzong) overlooking the dzong now houses an excellent museum. The five floors of displays tell the history of the monarchy through such…
3.78 MILES
Jakar Dzong is in a picturesque location overlooking the Chokhor valley; the current structure was built in 1667. Its official name is Yuelay Namgyal…
4.73 MILES
This large, active and important temple complex is named after the body (kur) print (jey) of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest…
5.1 MILES
This goemba, formally the Tamshing Lhendup Chholing (Temple of the Good Message), is 5km from Jakar. It was established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the…
4.97 MILES
Just 400m below Tamshing, this towering, recently constructed and brightly painted building completely envelops the restored remains of the original…
4.25 MILES
Up a short side road about 1.5km past Sey Lhakhang, this fabulous temple is believed to have been built in 659 by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, on the…
9.99 MILES
A bumpy 10km drive up the Chokhor valley from Thangbi Goemba is the small region known as Ngang-yul (Swan Land). The site was visited by Guru Rinpoche,…
2.52 MILES
This small but atmospheric temple was completely rejuvenated from an almost abandoned ruin to the lively Nyingma school and lhakhang it is today. The…
3.78 MILES
Jakar Dzong is in a picturesque location overlooking the Chokhor valley; the current structure was built in 1667. Its official name is Yuelay Namgyal…
4.01 MILES
This chorten containing a large water-driven prayer wheel marks the intersection between Jakar's main thoroughfare and the road that follows the Chamkhar…
4.07 MILES
Beyond the hospital north of Jakar is the Sey Lhakhang ('sey' means 'golden'). Properly known as Lhodrak Seykhar Dratshang, this is a monastic school that…
4.19 MILES
The palace of Wangdichholing was built in 1857 on the battle-camp site of the penlop of Trongsa, Jigme Namgyal. It was the first palace in Bhutan that…
4.25 MILES
Up a short side road about 1.5km past Sey Lhakhang, this fabulous temple is believed to have been built in 659 by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, on the…
4.29 MILES
Originally built as a residence by Dawa Gyaltshen, a son of the famous Pema Lingpa, Prakhar Lhakhang hosts the annual Prakhar Duchoed festival in the…