If there would be a place where nature and man conjured to create their clearest and cleanest image, it must be the Paro valley in Bhutan. The Paro valley is unique in beauty and in history. The only airport of Bhutan is located in Paro. To the north, Mount Chamolhari (Mountain of the Goddess), reigns in white glory and the waters from its “five sisters” peaks passes through deep gorges, finally meeting in the end to form the Paro Chu river that nourishes the rice fields and apple and peach orchards.

Hotel Olathang is built on a hillside overlooking the beautiful Paro valley. This hotel offers accommodation in the main building and in 14 cottages spread over 43 acres.

The various tourist attractions in Paro are the National Museum, Philatellic Gallery, Taktsang Monastery, Rimpung Dzong and Thongdroel. Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the kingdom’s oldest and most sacred temples and Dungtse Lhakhang are other tourist attractions in Paro.

The National Museum is the main tourist attraction in Paro. The white and brown ringed fortress, built in 1657 was made as the National Museum in 1967. This museum is the country’s only archive. The museum has the collection of old coins and the costumes of the people of Bhutan at various times of its history. The ancient weapons including the bows used in archery and the brass and copper house wares are also there in the museum. These house wares are good examples of Bhutanese craftsmanship. A fragment of moon’s surface brought by Neil Armstrong in July 1969 is also displayed in the museum.

The Philatellic Gallery near the top of the museum is also one of the great tourist interest. This gallery contains a large collection of stamps. Stamps are a big business in Bhutan and are an important source of foreign exchange. The postage stamps are also brought by visitors as they cover a wide range of subjects and are beautifully printed. On 30 October 1967, Bhutan issued the world’s first three-dimensional stamps in commemoration of man’s conquest of space. The world’s first steel stamps, printed on hair thin steel foil, reflects the importance of steel industry in the economic development of Bhutan. Silk stamps with religious motifs of Bhutan were also printed. The king of Bhutan has been featured on a series of gold embossed coin stamps. Bhutan was also the first country to introduce “Talking Stamps” in 1973. These stamps were gummed miniature phonograph records playing Bhutan’s national anthem. However, in spite of having some of the finest postage stamps, Bhutan has no strong postal system. Even today, runners carry messages across the country where no road links exist.

The Taktsang Monastery means the Tiger’s Nest. This monastery has been built around the cave where Guru Rimpoche and later his follower Dubthak Singye meditated. It clings to a cliff of rock which is about 800 meters above the valley. A visit to this monastery is a challenge, exhausting, thrilling and mystical. According to the legend, Guru Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tiger from Tibet to this place. This monastery can be visited by either trekking or on horse.

The Rimpung Dzong is situated across the river, on the knoll that rises from the river. Rimpung means the heap of jewels. This fortress offers the view of the Paro Valley stretched out below. Some centuries ago, it was an unreachable fortress that repelled invasions from Tibet. But, today, it houses the Paro monastic body and the office of the Dzongda (district commissioner) and Thrimpon (district judge).

The Thongdroel is the most sacred giant which is painted and an appliquéd scroll. This giant depicts the eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava with its two attendants, Khendu Yeshey Tsogyel and Khandu Minona Rawa. It is displayed for a few hours on the concluding days of the Paro Tesechu festival held from the 10th to 14th day of the Bhutanese lunar calendar’s second month. It is unfurled before dawn for the few hours before the direct rays of the sun strikes it. This giant is about 400 years old, and can be easily damaged by sun rays.

By Air
Paro can be easily reached by air. It is connected with New Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu.