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This
is
the
capital
of
Bhutan
with
a
population
of
approximately
100,000
people.
It
lies
at
an
elevation
of
2,320m.
Thimphu
became
the
capital
in
1961
and
the
town
is
the
largest
in
Bhutan.
It
is
about
1.5
hour
from
the
airport
in
Paro.
As
you
enter
the
valley
you
drive
on
Bhutan’s
first
four-lane
expressway
which
takes
you
right
into
the
heart
of
town,
over
two
dramatic
flyover
bridges. |
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Places
to
visit
in
Thimphu
include
the
Textile
Museum,
the
Folk
Heritage
Museum,
the
Trashichho
Dzong,
the
National
Memorial
Chorten
(a
stupa
dedicated
to
the
third
king
of
Bhutan),
and
the
Centenary
Farmer’s
Market
- a
colorful
market
full
of
local
produce
and
handicrafts.
Buddhists
can
visit
numerous
monasteries
around
the
valley
as
well
as a
vibrant
nunnery. |
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The
district
of
Thimphu,
however,
stretches
beyond
the
town
and
goes
past
Dochu-la,
the
first
mountain
pass
in
the
western
part
of
Bhutan.
The
108
Druk
Wangyal
chortens
and
the
Druk
Wangyal
Lhakhang
on
the
top
of
the
pass
where
the
ridges
are
draped
in
colourful
prayer
flags
provide
a
scenic
view.
On a
clear
day,
you
can
see
a
panorama
of
the
Himalayan
mountain
range. |
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