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High above the Paro Valley in Bhutan sits the National Museum.
Housed in a former watchtower called the Ta Dzong, this museum offers a captivating look into Bhutanese art, history, and culture.
Imagine a museum inside a historic watchtower, where the walls whisper stories of past battles and the echoes of history fill the galleries.
That’s what awaits you at the National Museum of Bhutan.
People who visit the National Museum love its unique character, amazing views, and fascinating collection.
Many are impressed by how the museum brings Bhutanese history and culture to life through its exhibits.
The views of the Paro Valley from the museum’s top floor are also a big hit.
One visitor shared their experience on YouTube, calling the museum an “interesting place” and saying they enjoyed filming the scenery of the Paro Valley.
Another visitor mentioned the museum’s wide-ranging collection, which includes everything from ancient artifacts to stuffed animals and butterflies.
The National Museum is in Paro, a beautiful town in western Bhutan.
It’s located on a hilltop above the Rinpung Dzong, with amazing views of the valley below. Its address is P.O. Box No. 1227, Paro, Bhutan.
The National Museum is open every day except for government and local holidays.
The opening hours change a bit depending on the season:
Summer (March – October): 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Ticket counter closes at 4:00 PM)
Winter (November – February): 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Ticket counter closes at 4:00 PM)
Here’s how much it costs to get in:
Tourists: Nu. 500.00 (about US$7)
Locals: Nu. 100.00
Monks, nuns, and students: Free
The National Museum has an extensive collection of over 3,000 works of Bhutanese art, covering over 1,500 years of the country’s cultural heritage.
The exhibits are spread across seven floors, each focused on a different part of Bhutanese culture and history.
Here are some of the things you shouldn’t miss:
Thangkas: Colorful religious silk or cotton paintings showing Buddhist deities, mandalas, and scenes from Bhutanese folklore.
Bronze Statues and Ritual Objects: Explore Bhutan’s spiritual side through beautiful bronze statues and objects used in religious ceremonies.
Ancient Masks and Costumes: See the detailed work on masks used in religious ceremonies, traditional dances, and Bhutanese clothing.
Textiles and Handicrafts: Discover the skill of Bhutanese weavers and artisans through intricate textiles and handmade items.
Natural History Gallery: This shows Bhutan’s diverse plant and animal life, including preserved crocodiles, birds, animals, and butterflies.
Religious Artifacts: Learn about spiritual rituals with a collection of robes, drums, daggers, cymbals, and other objects used by monks in ceremonies.
Prehistoric Items: See artifacts from the Stone Age, like earthen pots and utensils, to learn about Bhutan’s early history.
An egg laid by a mule: A strange and rare artifact.
A horse horn attributed to Guru Rinpoche: A crucial religious object.
Ancient coins and jewelry: Glimpse Bhutan’s old money and jewelry traditions.
Tshogzhing Lhakhang: A temple on the sixth floor with important religious artifacts representing the four primary schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Namsey Lhakhang: A temple on the fifth floor dedicated to the wealthy deity Namthoesey.
Unique Bhutanese stamp: A special stamp that plays Bhutan’s national anthem.
Statue of “Kongtse Denmo”: A great example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.
The Ta Dzong, where the National Museum is located, has a fascinating history.
Built in 1649 by the first governor of Paro Valley, it was a watchtower to protect the Rinpung Dzong from invaders.
Its hilltop location gave a broad view of the area, allowing soldiers to see and defend against threats.
Like a conch shell, the Ta Dzong’s round design is beautiful and practical.
The thick stone walls, 2.5 meters thick, provided strong defense.
The spiral inside and the windows offered 360-degree views of the valley so soldiers could keep watch.
Historical records say the Ta Dzong wasn’t damaged by a massive earthquake in 1714 that lasted for fifteen days.
This is because of its strong structure, especially its thick walls and the use of large stones to hold the masonry together.
The Ta Dzong shows Bhutanese architectural skills.
Its round design, inspired by the sun and moon, symbolizes victory.
The building’s strong construction reflects how vital defense was in Bhutanese history.
In the 1950s, the watchtower was in bad shape, but King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck saw its importance and renovated it.
In 1968, the Ta Dzong became Bhutan‘s first national museum.
The renovation kept the building’s unique features while creating galleries for the museum’s collections.
Over time, the Ta Dzong was used for different things, like a military post, a prison, and even a reformatory.
There may have been a tunnel connecting it to a water source.
In 1872, Ugyen Wangchuck, who later became the first king of Bhutan, was held hostage there.
The museum was damaged in an earthquake in 2011 but reopened in 2016 after repairs.
This shows how dedicated people are to preserving this critical place.
While the National Museum in Paro is a must-see, Bhutan has other museums and cultural attractions.
Some good options include:
The Royal Heritage Museum in Trongsa: Housed in a renovated watchtower, this museum shows the history of Bhutan’s monarchy.
The Textile Museum in Thimphu teaches about Bhutanese weaving and textile production.
The National Museum of Bhutan is a great place to visit if you want to understand this Himalayan kingdom’s unique culture and history.
Housed in a historic watchtower with amazing views, the museum takes you on a journey through time.
Its diverse collection gives a complete overview of Bhutanese heritage.
Don’t miss the National Museum if you love history or art or want to learn about Bhutanese culture.