Wangdue Phodrang

Wangdue Phodrang is the last town on the highway before entering central Bhutan and is 76 km away from Thimphu. The town is little more than an enlarged village. The dzong is the town’s most visible feature & a major tourist attraction. It was was built in 1638 by the 1st Shabdrung. The town and Dzong share the same name and is believed to have been named by Zhabdrung himself.

1. Wangdue Phodrang dzong:

This magnificent dzong was built on a hillock that looks like a giant sleeping elephant. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638 at the confluence of Dang chu and Punatshang chu. On 24th June 2012, the dzong caught fire and it was burnt down but much of the historical relics were moved to safety. It is under renovation now and the annual Wangdue festival is held at Tencholing ground.