Punakha Dzong
A grand fortress-monastery set where two rivers meet, reached by a covered wooden bridge. Its white walls, gold roofs and courtyards make it one of the most beautiful dzongs in the country.
Punakha
Punakha Dzong rises where two rivers meet in this former capital, near a long suspension bridge draped in prayer flags.
Attractive locations
Chimi Lhakhang
A small temple on a hillock above rice fields, dedicated to the unconventional saint Drukpa Kunley. Couples seeking children come for a blessing, and the walk through the farms is part of the visit.
Dochula Pass
A mountain pass on the road between Thimphu and Punakha, marked by 108 memorial stupas and prayer flags. On a clear day it offers views of the high Himalayan peaks.
Punakha Suspension Bridge
A long pedestrian suspension bridge hung with prayer flags across the Pho Chhu river near Punakha Dzong. Walkers cross it for views of the dzong and the valley, though it sways underfoot.
Pho Chhu
A river that joins the Mo Chhu beside Punakha Dzong. Its calm stretches are used for rafting, and walking its banks gives views of the dzong and the valley.
Airports
Paro International Airport PBH
It is about 50 km in a straight line from Punakha.
Bathpalathang Airport BUT
It is about 87 km in a straight line from Punakha.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan0.9 °C4 mm
- Feb2.2 °C12 mm
- Mar4.5 °C32 mm
- Apr7.9 °C74 mm
- May11.2 °C119 mm
- Jun14.1 °C164 mm
- Jul14.6 °C254 mm
- Aug14.4 °C202 mm
- Sep12.9 °C130 mm
- Oct9.3 °C55 mm
- Nov5.4 °C4 mm
- Dec2.5 °C2 mm
Driest months: Jan, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Your tour operator and guide are your first contact. Reported numbers: police 113, ambulance 112, fire 110 - confirm on arrival.
local government
Royal Bhutan Police emergency hotline 113
Helps with: Bhutan's police emergency hotline, for crimes such as theft or assault. The police site also lists 110 for fire, 111 for traffic and 112 for an ambulance. No tourist police unit is shown.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bhutan who needs the police urgently, including visitors.
Phone: 113
local government
Department of Tourism, Bhutan
Helps with: Bhutan's tourism department. Its visitor FAQ tells travellers to phone it about tourism enquiries or problems with their tourism experience. The FAQ gives 2300 for calls made within Bhutan.
Who qualifies: Visitors to Bhutan with a tourism enquiry or a problem with their trip.
Phone: +975 17661974
ngo
Bhutan Red Cross Society
Helps with: Bhutan's national Red Cross society. It describes services in social work, health and disaster risk management, delivered through a volunteer network across the country.
Who qualifies: People in Bhutan who need its social, health or disaster response services.
Phone: +975-2-339999
Email: info@brcs.bt
Address: Kuenzangkhar Zur Lam 5 S W, Lower Motithang, Thimphu (PO Box 1976)
local government
Disaster Communication Helpline (999)
Helps with: The Royal Bhutan Police emergency page lists 999 as the Disaster Communication Helpline Unit, alongside 113 for police, 110 for fire and 112 for an ambulance.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bhutan affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 999