EXPLORE HIMALAYA TRAVEL NEWS & REPORT Paro Valley in Bhutan PARO ±Most doted travel destination in BhutanPopularly known as "Land of the Thunder Dragon", Bhutan lies between China on the North and Northwest and India on the South, Southwest and East.With the advent of21st century, Bhutan became more open to promoting its tourism potentials and in the process introduced several attractive travel options. As a result of which Bhutan began receiving numbers of tourists every year. With this grew t he popularity of Paro Valley. For travellers wishing to unveil the religious uniqueness, historical richness, intrin sic culture and pristine custom of Western Bhutan, Paro has become a favourite travel destination. Paro Valley lies amidst the majestic panorama of Mount Chomolhari overlooking the captivating view of deep go rges, Paro Chu River and lush vegetat ion of rice fields, apple and peach orchards and willow trees. Paro is 65 km away from Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan and it normally takes a two-hour drive from Thimpu to reach Paro. Many festivals and discourses can be witnesses at the temples and monasteries ofhistory laden Paro. Its cultural heritages, religious significance and landscape nevercease to fascinate travellers. Paro has an airport, several hotels, restaurants, internet cafes and handicraft centers to cater well to tourists' requirements. While travelling to Paro, one should not miss visi ting the fo ll owing p laces: Drugyal DzongHistory has it that in 1647 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel erected t his fortress as the commemoration of his victory over the T ibetan invaders. This dzong safeguarded Bhutan from invasions for centuries. Tragically, Drug yal dzong caught fire in 1951 a nd consequently its structures were badly ruined. So overpo wering was its historical significance that even in to day's time it still remains a historical monument for locals and tourists. On a favorable whether, t his dzong offers a visual treat of Mt. Jomolhari view from a perfect vantage point. Taktsang MonasteryNestled against the granite cliff, Takstang monastery stands 900 meter high above the Paro Valley. This monastery gained its popular nickname, "Tiger¶s den", from a local mythological tale which says that in the 8th century Guru Pad masambhava arrived at this place riding on the back of a tigress to mediate. A temple was built at the place where Guru Padmasambhava meditated and later his devotees built a monastery which was named Takstang Monastry. In 1998, the monastry was engulfed by fire and this ruined many paintings and re ligi ous objects. Government of Bhutan renovated this sacred monastery. Local people visit this place for religious discourses.
