Paro
| Summer: | 14.5°C – 0.6°C |
| Monsoon: | 23°C – 1.4°C |
| Post monsoon: | 20°C – 22°C |
| Winter: | 13°C – -1.7°C |
Paro charming small town lies on the banks of the Paro chhu and a short distance northwest of dzong. The Paro is a historic town with a many sacred site and historical buildings through the area. The paro valley is without doubt one of the loveliest in Bhutan. Willow trees and apple orchards line many of the roads, white washed farmhouse and temples complements the green terraced fields and forested hills rise on either side to create a beautiful, organic and peaceful whole. The road from Chhuzom and the airport enters the town from the south, and then makes a left turn at a T- junction into the main street near the archery practice field. The new street, only built in 1985, is lined with colorfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants. Paro is one of the nicest Bhutanese towns to explore and is worth an hour or two’s stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing.
National museum
Dumtse Lhakhang
Ugyen Pelri Palace
At the top of the hill above paro dzong is an old watchtower that was renovated in 1968 to house the national museum. The unusual round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell, the museum is a, as well as a tourist, attraction and is managed by the special commission for cultural affairs, which has recently rearranged its exhibitions with help from UNESCO and other sources. There are six floors of galleries, each with a special emphasis. Among the exhibits are a spectacular collection of Thangkas , both ancient and recent of particular importance are Thangkas depicting shabdrubg ngawang namgyal, the first je khempo and the first Druk desi.
To the west of the road is Dumtse Lhakhang, a Chorten like temple that is closed to tourists. This unusual building was built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangtong gyalpo. It has three floors representing hell, earth and heaven and the paintings inside are said to be same of the best in Bhutan. It’s essential to bring a good torch. Beyond Dumtse Lhakhang, to the east of the road, the tiny Pana Lhakhang is quite old and believed to have been built at the same time as kyichu Lhakhang.
Ugyen pelri palace is in a secluded wooded compound on the south side of the river just west to the dzong. This palace is built by paro penlop tshering penjor in the early 1900s and is now a residence of the queen mother. It is designed after guru rimpoche celestial paradise, Zanto pelri, and is one of the most beautiful examples of Bhutanese architecture. On the road beside Ugyen pelri palace are five square chortens that were built in memory of the first king, Ugyen Wang Chuk. Remember, walk to the left of these Chorten.