Paro Ringpung Dzong

Overview

Originally built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Rinpung Dzong was constructed on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. Historically, it served as a vital bastion of defense, successfully repelling numerous Tibetan invasions throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. The dzong is famous for its towering exterior walls and its fine woodwork, which survived a major fire in 1907 and was meticulously restored.

The dzong is the site of the colorful Paro Tshechu, held annually in the spring, where a giant silk thangka (thongdrel) is unfurled at dawn. Visitors reach the dzong by crossing the traditional Nyamai Zam cantilever bridge, offering a classic Bhutanese view that has been featured in international films. Inside, the courtyards are filled with vibrant murals depicting the life of the Buddha and the legends of the Zhabdrung.