Thimphu and Dochula pass, Bhutan

Dochula Pass stands an hour and a half away from Thimphu, along a lovely Rhododendron and conifer forest (with trees festooned with orchids) and lies along the highway to central Bhutan, with a road leading to Punakha.

Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. The pass is popular for tourists for its ideal location from where one can enjoy 360 degree of beautiful panoramic view of Himalaya mountain range, especially on clear winter days. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chortens-108 stupa built by the eldest Queen Mother Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. The pass is also popular spiritual place for both locals and tourists because of an important temple that is located on the crest of Dochula pass.

Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck has achieved a fine blend of history and mythology in the construction of The Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple) to honor His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the lhakhang (temple) that tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distant future.

Besides the spirituality of the place many Bhutanese families visit the pass during holidays and weekends to simply enjoy the scenery of the place with their pack lunch and hot tea. For the tourist the place is an ideal location to capture beautiful pictures of Himalaya mountain range during clear warm days.

Source: http://www.tourism.gov.bt/where-to-go...

Thimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital city of Bhutan. Thimphu is in a constricted linear valley of the Wang Chuu, also known as the Thimphu Chuu (Chuu means: "river") and Raidak River. Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion and the dominant ethnic group is Drukpa of Kargyu Buddhism, while in Southern Bhutan Hindus of Nepali ethnicity are dominant. The Main Monastic Body with membership of 1160 monks is headed by a Chief Abbot (presently Je Khenpo) who spends 6 months in Tashechhoe Dzong in Thimphu and the other 6 months in Punakha

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