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All
visitors are now required to enter the kingdom at Paro
by the national airline, Druk
Air. It may be more convenient for some visitors
to leave the kingdom via the southern outlets of Samdrup
Jongkhar in the east or Phuentsholing in the west. Twenty-five
years ago all visitors would have had to walk for five
days across the mountains to reach Paro from the Indian
border. Now the journey by air is only 45 minutes from
Calcutta, Kathmandu or Dhaka.
If you come to Bhutan by air, you'll probably land in
Paro.  Western
Bhutan is the heartland of the Drukpa people and you
will be confronted with the largest, oldest and most
spectacular dzongs in the kingdom. You will immediately
realise you are off the beaten track of world tourism.
The town of Paro lies in the centre of the rich, fertile
Paro Valley, with beautiful landscapes, scenic villages
and historic buildings all within a few kilometres.
Immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture in the National
Museum close to the town center - the building itself
was completed in 1656.
The
valley of Paro contains a wealth of attractions and
required a few days to be properly explored. Casting
a shadow across the town of Paro and controlling all
secular and religious activities in its valley is the
elegant and perfectly symmetrical Rinpung Dzong. Built
in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual
and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic
body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative
head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro District.
Behind
Ringpung Dzong, on the high hillside, is the castle-shaped
Ta Dzong. One time
watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley
wars of the 17th Century, Ta Dzong has housed the nation's
heritage in Bhutan's National Museum since 1967. The
museum's circular shape augments its varied collection
displayed over several floors.
In
April 1998 a fire destroyed the main structure of Taktshang
Monastery, perhaps Bhutan's most photographed
and famous site, perched on the side of a cliff 900m
(2952ft) above the valley floor. It is also known as
'Tiger's Nest' because Guru Rimpoche is said to have
flown to the site on the back of a tigress in the eight
century. It has been one of the kingdom's most sacred
sites ever since, and will be rebuilt in its original
style once an auspicious date has been chosen.
From
Buddhist's point of view, Paro was the first stop of
Guru Rimpoche on his crusade from Tibet to Bhutan over
one thousand years ago. Guru Rimpoche is said to have
arrived on the back of a tigress and meditated at a
monastery overlooking Paro Valley. That monastery is
now a hallowed shrine for Bhutanese pilgrims who travel
from all over the land to pray at its temple. Tourist
are usually not allowed into the temple itself but they
can and should climb the mountain that leads to a spectacular
look out onto Tiger's Nest. The trail from the road
takes a good walker about three hours to climb an about
half that time to descend. A cafe at the lookout provides
well-earned tea and snacks.
Eighteen kilometers from Paro town on the south side
of the  valley
are the burnt ruins of Drugyel
Dzong (victorious fortrees). It was from
this monastery that the Bhutanese repelled several invading
Tibetan armies during the 17th century.
A
sprinkling of shops decorate the high street that marks
Paro town. This is good place to buy a packet of biscuits
and some drinks before a journey.
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