Bumthang is one of the most scenic valleys in Bhutan, with town of Jakar at its centre. More a cluster of villages than a real town, Jakar has a few points of interest that include the Jakar Dzong (Fortress of the White Bird), Wangdicholing Palace, and half a dozen monasteries. Jakar also hosts a number of colourful festivals between July and December. Visitors to Bumthang Valley (also known as Choekhor Valley), will want to try the beer Red Panda Wheat, which is brewed locally and is the only beer made in Bhutan.
Serving as the winter capital of Bhutan, Punakha is only 45 miles (72km) from Thimphu. However, it has a much warmer climate than the latter, allowing for the patchwork of red and white rice fields to cover the surrounding valleys. The serene atmosphere of the city is personified in the Punakha Dzong, also known as the Palace of Great Happiness. The palace is the winter residence of Bhutan's Central Monastic Body and home to several sacred relics. Punakha makes a good base for exploring nearby attractions like the Guru Rinpoche Cave and Koma Tsachu hot springs.
Known as the Tiger's Nest and the Taktsang Palphug Monastery, Paro Taktsang is considered one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Located in the Paro Valley, the monastery is perched on a cliff 2,950 feet (900m) above the valley floor. The monastery has been an important site for pilgrimage and meditation in Mahayana Buddhism since it was built in 1692 around a cave believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Bhutan. Tourists can reach Taktsang Monastery via a 20-minute drive from Paro to the base of the mountain, followed by a two-hour hike (or pony ride) to the monastery.
The geographic centre of Bhutan, Trongsa is a historical village built around a monastery that was established in 1543. Small enough to easily explore on foot, Trongsa's main attractions include the Trongsa Dzong and the Thruepang Palace, as well as the markets in the centre of town that sell handmade textiles and traditional carpets for prices lower than those in Thimphu. Trongsa is a popular rest stop on the journey between Thimphu and Bumthang.
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