Trongsa Dzong

Trongsa Dzong is the largest dzong in Bhutan — not a single block but a long chain of courtyards, temples and quarters running down a narrow ridge, with the Mangde Chhu gorge falling away on two sides. Cloud comes up the valley through it for much of the year.

Why it matters

The dzong was built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa under Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, on the site of an earlier temple. Its position is the whole point: the only road between western and eastern Bhutan once passed through the dzong itself, so whoever held Trongsa held the country.

That made the Trongsa Penlop — the governor here — the most powerful office in Bhutan, and it is from it that Ugyen Wangchuck became the first King in 1907. The connection is still formal: a Crown Prince is invested as Trongsa Penlop before taking the throne.

Visiting

Allow an hour for the courtyards and the temples that are open. The dzong is best seen twice — from inside, and from the road on the far side of the gorge, where the whole ridge is visible at once. Ta Dzong, the watchtower above it, holds the Royal Heritage Museum and is the natural companion visit.