Thimphu Chorten & Buddha Point, Thimphu, Bhutan

Sunday October 26, 2025  

We were up early for our 3:30 pick up of our breakfast boxes so we would be able to leave by 4:00, we met with only 2 breakfast boxes. We were first and thought perhaps they had put each couple’s breakfast in one box, but we were told to take both. So, Tom & Cathy showed up to no breakfast boxes. They scurried around and got them coffee and put together fresh boxes. Between the 4 of us we had way more than we needed. We appreciated the fresh chocolate croissants they shared with us, even after we were full.

We arrived before 10:00 on Royal Bhutan Airline in Paro International Airport and were blown away by how beautiful their airport was. It has beautiful and colorful architecture. The scenic side of plane could see Everest and the Himalayan Mountain range.

Paro International Airport is considered one of the most dangerous airports as it is located at an elevation of 7,332 feet and is surrounded by peaks as high as 18,000 ft. With no instrument landing system, pilots rely solely on visual flight rules and precision hand-flying skills to navigate through the narrow valley and safely land or take off. It is also known to have very unpredictable weather and winds need to be just right and visibility clear to land and take off. Only around 50 pilots in the world are qualified to fly there. It does make for a very scenic descent as the wings of the plane seem to just barely clear the mountains as you make deep descents into the valleys.

Bhutan is also known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon and is nestled between India and China. (for the thunder heard in the Himalayas)

inside the airport

line for immigration

baggage claim

We were greeted by Tashi, our guide, and Tashi, our driver. We had an hour and a half drive from airport that followed the river with views of the mountains and valleys along the winding road.

leaving the airport

we stopped for a short photo stop

back in the van

they were herding cattle in the street

don't drink and drive

After checking in, Tashi took us to a restaurant for traditional Bhutanese food. It was quite a feast of chicken, beef, rice, veggies and chiles in cheese sauce and rice milk tea, which was quite gross. The tea, not everything else. The chilies in cheese were tasty, but quite spicy hot.

Norkhil Boutique Hotel

they were performing in front of the restaurant

the restaurant

rice milk tea

rice milk tea with puffed rice

Our first stop was Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten). This large Tibetan-style chorten is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu, and for many Bhutanese it is the focus of their daily worship. It was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–72).

entry gate

views from the point

We then drove to Buddha Dordenma (Buddha Point). It is a massive golden statue of Shakyamuni on the top of a hill near Thimphu. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue, and the basement that he sits upon is a large meditation hall. As we drove past, we saw approximately 288 steps up, and we thought, “Oh hell, no!”. However, we were able to drive all the way to the top. Yay!

Norkhil Boutique Hotel - from across the street

After dinner at the restaurant, we went for a walk to check out the local area and try to find some snacks at a convenience store. It wasn't easy finding a Coke Zero, but finally found one where we could get wine, sodas and some dessert.

No photos were allowed inside of most religious places on this trip, so none here either.

Tomorrow, we have a full day tour of Thimphu.

Photo Album: Thimphu Day 1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qcps4HqBWnfVD2uq9