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Thimphu — travel, stays & events guide
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Thimphu, BhutanOpen-Meteo forecast.
Thimphu city overview
Thimphu is a city in Bhutan shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Airport baseThimphu Paro (PBH)
Known forThimphu, Capital city in Bhutan, Thimphu planning base 3, Thimphu planning base 4
RegionBhutanBhutan
Time zoneAsia/Thimphulocal time
Founded1885historical origin
City history
In 1885, a battle was held at what is now the Changlimithang sports ground in Thimphu.
Reforms continued and in 1952 the decision was made to shift the capital from the ancient capital of Punakha to Thimphu.
The fourth king, who had established the National Assembly in 1953, devolved all executive powers to a council of ministers elected by the people in 1998.
Before 1960, Thimphu consisted of a group of hamlets scattered across the valley including Motithang, Changangkha, Changlimithang, Langchupakha, and Taba, some of which constitute districts of the city today (see below for district details).
In 1961, Thimphu officially became the capital of Bhutan.
Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan in 1962, the Universal Postal Union in 1969 and became a member of the United Nations in 1971.
The modern Changlimithang Stadium was built on the site in 1974.
The National Constitution Committee in Thimphu started drafting the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan in 2001.
In 2005, the fourth king of Bhutan announced his decision to hand over the reins of his kingdom to his son Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk.
In 2008, this paved way for the transition from absolute monarchic rule to a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy, with Thimphu as the headquarters of the new government, with the national defined objective of achieving.
The decisive victory opened the way for Ugyen Wangchuck, the first King of Bhutan, to virtually control the whole country.
Since this time the sports ground has been of major importance to the city; football, cricket matches and archery competitions take place there.
The fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, opened the country for development and India provided the needed impetus in this process with financial and other forms of assistance.
Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan, is on the windward side with broad-leaved trees dominating the topography.
Worth seeing
Thimphu
Thimphu is a practical Thimphu planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Bhutan
Capital city in Bhutan is a practical Thimphu planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Thimphu planning base 3
Thimphu planning base 3 is a practical Thimphu planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Thimphu planning base 4
Thimphu planning base 4 is a practical Thimphu planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Thimphu planning base 5
Thimphu planning base 5 is a practical Thimphu planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Thimphu planning base 6
Thimphu planning base 6 is a practical Thimphu planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Thimphu before booking Thimphu hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Thimphu by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Thimphu, BhutanFlights & airports
Thimphu Paro (PBH) arrival plan
- Thimphu Paro (PBH)Thimphu Paro (PBH), Thimphu
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Rental cars
Thimphu day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Thimphu events in the shared event index yet.