Way out east of Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan, the small kingdom on the slopes of the Himalayas, surrounded by China (Tibet) and India, Wangdu Phodrang, known to be the cleanest village of the country, is situated. It is the starting point to Central and Eastern Bhutan, but also to the Phobjikha Valley, where Gangte with its famous Goemba is situated, to Khuruthang, Punakha and Chimi Lhakhang below Metshina.
Favourite spots:
Bhutan, Gangte, Salesperson
Overlooking the Phobjikha Valley Gangte comes into view. It is advisable to take the time to walk through the village up to the Goemba to admire the ensemble of old houses, a bit run down but beautiful. People are talking without shyness to the foreigner. In their small shops cum living- and bedrooms women are waitung for customers and in front of the Goemba a group of monks is curiously observing the newcomer. The Goemba is under construction, but the grandeur of it is still recognisable. - The walk through the centre of Wangdu Phodrang in the late afternoon when the place is scrubbed and cleaned is hilarious. These tiny shops one beside another offer all what you can think of. - But the most impressive Dzong I have seen is Punakha Dzong (1637), the winter residence of the central monk body, built as a defence work against the Tibetans, before Thimpu became the capital a civil, and now a religious centre.
What's really great:
Bhutan, Khuruthang, Market
The market of Khuruthang, fascinating with all the different looking people - Bhutanese, Indian, Nepalese -, the proud and self-assured children, the old women with their short white hair, exchanging the latest news, and in between the young monks earnestly proving the offer and paying for their purchases - the state pays for their keep-.
Sights:
Bhutan, betwen Wangdue Phrobang, Prayer flags in Fog
Royal Society for Protection of Nature Crane Observation & Education, near Gangte, where Information about the blue-necked crane are on display. Khuruthang, built after the flood 1960, which destroyed part of Punakha, in the traditional way as demanded by law, has all the shops and facilities of Punakha. Wangdu Phodrang Dzong, on a promontory high above the Chang Chhu
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