Photogallery of pictures taken during Bhutan journeys and expeditions - Thimphu and its surroundings.
Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961. As of 2005 it had a population of 79,185, with 98,676 people living in the entire Thimphu district.
The city is spread out longitudinally in a north-south direction on the west bank of the valley formed by the Thimphu Chhu River. Thimphu is spread over an altitudinal range between 2,248 metres and 2,648 metres. Unusually for a capital city, Thimphu is not served by an airport, but relies on the airport at Paro, connected by road some 54 kilometres away.
The Thimphu Chhu raises in the snow fields at an altitude of about 7,000 metres. It has many tributaries that flow from the Himalayan peaks that largely dictate the topography of the Thimphu valley. The Thimphu valley, so formed, is delimited by a steep eastern ridge that rises from the riverbed and a valley formation with gradually sloping topography, on the western banks of the Thimphu Chhu. The north-south orientation of the hill ranges of the valley means that they are exposed to moist monsoon winds which engulf the inner Himalayas and its lower valleys.
The city experiences a southwest monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate of a warm, temperate climate. The southwest monsoon rainfall occurs during mid-June to September. Lightning and thunder often precedes rainfall in the region. Continuous rainfall for several days occurs resulting in landslides and blockage of roads.
The most prominent landmark in Thimphu is the Tashichhoe Dzong (meaning: "Fortress of the Glorious Religion") located on the west bank of the Wang Chhu. The imposing white washed structure, as seen now, has undergone several renovations over the centuries following fires and earthquakes. During this time the practice of using a Dzong both as a religious centre for lamas and administrative centre for civic administration was introduced. Also the throne room and offices of the King of Bhutan are located here.
Dechen Phrodrang means "Palace of Great Bliss." It is a Buddhist monastery located to the north of Thimphu. In 1971, it was converted into a monastic school with 450 student monks enrolled for eight-year courses. The monastery contains a number of important historical Bhutanese artifacts including 12th century paintings monitored by UNESCO.
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