Punakha Valley
A warmer central valley known for Punakha Dzong, jacaranda bloom, and a gentler pace than the capital.
- Altitude
- 1,242 m
- Coordinates
- 27.591°, 89.877°
Current Weather
Punakha sits at 1,200 meters in a subtropical valley where the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers meet — warmer and greener than most of Bhutan. Punakha Dzong, built at the river confluence in 1637, is widely considered the most beautiful dzong in the country and served as the capital until the 1950s. The surrounding valley is terraced with rice paddies, dotted with farmhouses, and framed by forested ridges. In spring, jacaranda trees bloom purple along the riverbanks. The Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike and the long suspension bridge over the Mo Chhu are easy half-day additions.
Location
Help us get it right
Know Punakha Valley better than we do?
We write from research and reporting, and the ground changes faster than we can keep up. If something here is out of date, or you have been and would tell it differently, we would rather hear it.