Travel to Thimphu

more like a rural market town than a capital city

Thimphu is located in western Bhutan.

The town of Thimphu was declared the capital of the country in 1961, taking over from Punakha.

At this time, it was little more than a scattering of small rural settlements, but over the intervening years the place has grown considerably, now having a population of around 120,000 people, around a sixth of the national total.

By the standards of most capital cities, Thimphu remains a relatively small and intimate place, more like a rural market town than a throbbing metropolis. It is the fifth highest capital in the world and is perhaps unique in not having a single set of traffic lights.

The city lies on the west banks of the Wang Chuu River, constrained by the flanks of a steep-sided north-south valley. It is centred around a modest main square with a clocktower and an extensive showground.

For most visitors to Bhutan, the more rural and remote valleys tend to be of most interest and Thimphu tends to be visited for just one night or even skipped completely. However, if you are interested in the culture of the country, then there are some historic sites, medical institutes and craft centres that may warrant a longer stay.

Lying only 50km (30 miles) east of the main international airport at Paro, Thimphu often features at the front end of a trip, often for just one night, before heading east to the lower altitude Punakha Valley.

The best time of year to visit Thimphu is Sep-May, avoiding the warm and wet Jun-Aug monsoon season.

At 2300 metres (7500’), Thimphu is one of the mid-elevation valleys and experiences a relatively mild climate, occasionally with freezing temperatures at night during the Dec-Feb winter season.

For a more detailed overview of seasonality, please refer to the country page.

Getting around

Thimphu is the second most westerly of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips to Bhutan.

The main international airport for Bhutan (PBH) is located in the most westerly Paro Valley, around 50 km (30 miles) distant from the capital.

All of the other main locations in Bhutan are usually reached by means of a private guided overland safari.

Since it is such a short drive from the airport to the city, Thimphu often features as the first night in an itinerary, before heading off to the more remote valleys further east.

Where to stay

Accommodation in the Thimphu area falls into two distinct categories.

The first option is to stay at one of the three more upmarket properties set in peaceful elevated locations above the city.

The second option is to stay at one of the many hotels down in the city centre, which you may choose to do if you specifically want to be able to walk out and about at all hours, or if you are looking for a lower cost option.

the usual first stop on an exploration of Bhutan