|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phuentsholing
is a
border
town
in
southern
Bhutan,
opposite
the
Indian
town
of
Jaigaon,
situated
in
Chukha
Dzongkang.
Cross-border
trade
has
resulted
in a
thriving
local
economy;
the
town
serves
as
headquarters
for
the
Bank
of
Bhutan. |
|
|
|
Approachable
only
by
road,
the
city
is
connected
to
major
Indian
Railways
node,
NJP
(
New
Jalpaiguri
) .
From
the
west
Bengal
northern
town,
one
has
to
take
a
bus
ride,
from
any
of
the
local
bus
terminals
to
Phuentsholing.
Buses
are
run
both
by
travel
operators
in
India
and
Bhutan
government
run
buses.
Travel
time
is
approximately
6-8
hours
and
prices
range
below
Rs.
500 |
|
|
|
The
border
clearly
separates
two
very
different
peoples
and
cultures.
Jaigaon
is
bustling
and
loud,
similar
to
many
other
West
Bengal
centers
of
commerce,
albeit
with
many
conspicuous
Bhutanese
shoppers.
Phuntsholing
is
uniquely
more
urban
than
other
Bhutanese
towns,
having
absorbed
the
neighboring
culture,
but
distinctly
far
more
quiet
and
orderly
than
its
neighbor.
Simply
looking
at a
satellite
photo,
Jaigaon
is
packed
with
small
buildings
whereas
Phuntsholing
is
dominated
by
larger
edifices
placed
in
rows.
Phuntsholing
also
hosts
Bhutan's
housing
projects
for
Nepalese
refugees. |
|
|
|
As
the
majority
of
goods
traded
go
into
Bhutan,
and
as
it
hosts
the
most
accessible
Indian
marketplace
to
Bhutan,
Jaigaon
is
much
larger
and
receives
far
more
visitors.
All
Indians
are
free
to
enter
Bhutan,
though,
and
the
currencies
(which
are
actually
equivalent)
are
treated
equally. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
