By air
Bathpalathang, Bumthang (BUT), domestic flights from Paro
Nepal & Bhutan · Bhutan
Bumthang, Bhutan
Bhutan's spiritual heartland of valleys
Getting there
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November — clear and mild
Don't miss
Jakar Dzong
Jambay Lhakhang
Kurjey Lhakhang
Tamshing Monastery
Things to do
Temple walks
The festivals
Local cheese and craft-beer tastings
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Warm layers
A quieter corner
The Burning Lake (Mebar Tsho)
Questions travellers ask
How do I get to Bumthang, and what should I pack?
Take a domestic flight from Paro to Bathpalathang (BUT) in Bumthang, and pack warm layers.
Which temples should I visit in Bumthang?
Take temple walks to Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Monastery, and visit Jakar Dzong.
What should I eat and drink in Bumthang?
Buckwheat pancakes (khuli) and local cheese, with a craft-beer tasting to follow.
Is there a lesser-known sight in Bumthang?
The Burning Lake, Mebar Tsho.
About Bumthang
- Mountains
Where it is
Bumthang is a district of central Bhutan made up of four high valleys, Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chumey, lying at around 2,600 m and above, with the town of Jakar as its centre.
History
Tradition says the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo founded Jambay Lhakhang in the 7th century and that Guru Rinpoche meditated at Kurjey in the 8th century, leaving the imprint of his body in the rock. The treasure revealer Pema Lingpa was born here in the 15th century and founded Tamshing Monastery in 1501, and the Wangchuck family, Bhutan's hereditary kings since 1907, originated in Bumthang.
People
Bumthang's people speak Bumthangkha as well as Dzongkha, and grow buckwheat, wheat and potatoes in the cold valleys. Villages weave yathra, woollen cloth with bright geometric patterns, and the Jambay Lhakhang Drup each autumn honours Guru Rinpoche.
Known for
- Jambay and Kurjey lhakhangs
- Jakar Dzong above the valley
- The Burning Lake (Mebar Tsho)
- Yathra woollen weaving
- Local cheese and craft beer
Did you know?
At Mebar Tsho, the Burning Lake, Pema Lingpa is said to have dived in holding a burning lamp and resurfaced with a hidden treasure, the lamp still alight.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.