THIMPHU
<p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565">Thimphu, which is located at the altitude of 2380 m, is the
capital city of Bhutan. It takes about one hour by car to reach Thimphu from
Paro. The Wangchu river flows across the valley. With the change in time, the
agricultural and natural vegetation are giving way to modern buildings of
traditional architectural design. However, the ancient monuments remain
unchanged.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565">Places of Interest</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565">Memorial Chorten</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#656565">Memorial Chorten was built in
the year 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji
Wangchuk. It islocated in the heart of the city and is visible from most of the
places in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565">Thimphu's largest Vegetable Market: Thimphu's largest vegetable
market is opened during the weekends. The above picture shows that the
vegetables are displayed for sales.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565">Sitting Buddha</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#656565">The statue of Buddha is
located on the hilltop. It will be one of the tallest sitting buddhas in the
world. The spectecular view of the Thimphu valley can be seen from here.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565">Tashichho Dzong</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
color:#656565"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#656565">It was in the year 1216 that
the original dzong was built by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. It went through several
fires and was rebuilt. It was, however, expanded later to house the government
offices for the new capital after Punakha. Tashichho Dzong houses the Throne
Room, His Majesty's secretariat, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and
the Ministry of Finance now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
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