Punakha
| Summer: | -17°C – 4°C |
| Monsoon: | 3°C – 13°C |
| Post Monsoon: | -5°C – 13°C |
| Winter: | -1°C – 13°C |
Punakha Dzongkhag has been linked with momentous occasions in Bhutanese history. It served as the capital of the country from 1637 to 1907. It is also the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. Punakha valley has a pleasant climate with warm winters and hot summers. The punakha is located at an average elevation of 1200 meters above sea level. Punakha dzong is built at the confluence of these two major river pho chhu and mo chhu is an especially beautiful sight on sunny days with sunlight reflecting off the water onto its white washed wall. The favorable climatic condition, rice grows very well in this region and is the main cash crop cultivated here.
Punakha Dzong
Wangdue Phodrang
Phobjikha valley
The Punakha Dzong was the second dzong to be built in Bhutan. it’s arguably the most beautiful dzong in the country. The construction of dzong was foretold by guru Rinpoche, the person name Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant, the dzong characteristically towering whitewashed walls. Elaborately painted gold, red and black carved woods add to the artistic lightness of touch. There is also a small building called chug housed a statue of the Buddha here as early as 1326.
Wangdue Phodrang is one of the largest dzong in the country. Legend says that Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal met a small boy named wangdi playing in the sand on the banks of the punak tsang chhu and was moved to name his new dzong wangdi. The small town of white washed clapboard shops and funky restaurants. It is still known colloquially as wangdi. The phodrang is usually windy and dusty, particularly in the afternoon.
The Phobjikha is a bowl-shaped glacial valley on the western slopes of the black mountains, bordering the Jigme singye wang-chuck national park. Ninety percent of the valley floor is protected by dwarf bamboo which helps to distribute river flow, prevent erosion. Phobjikha in central Bhutan is a home to more than 400 black necked cranes. It is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country. In addition to the crane there are also Muntjacs, wild boars, sambars, serows, Himalayan black bears leopard and red fox in the surrounding hills.