Monastery · Buddhist
Paro Taktsang
Guru Rinpoche·1692 CE (cave tradition: 8th century)·Paro
Bhutan's iconic cliffside monastery, dramatically set above Paro Valley and central to the country's sacred geography.
Dedicated to
Guru Rinpoche
Period
1692 CE (cave tradition: 8th century)
Hours
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Admission
Free
Neighborhood
Upper Paro Valley
Paro Taktsang — Tiger's Nest — clings to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley floor. According to tradition, Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated in a cave for three months, subduing local demons and establishing Buddhism in Bhutan. The present monastery complex dates from 1692, was severely damaged by fire in 1998, and was painstakingly restored by 2005. The approach hike through blue pine forest takes two to three hours and passes a cafeteria viewpoint, a waterfall, and several smaller shrines before reaching the monastery itself. Photography is prohibited inside the temple buildings.
Folio III
Situation
Coda