Eastern Bhutan (Lhuentse/Mongar/Trashigang).

Eastern Bhutan – Making up the eastern part of the nation, these four districts boasts the most diverse elevations and climatic zones. From lush sub-tropical forests to extreme alpines and mountains that form the natural formidable border, the east is a must visit. Here, rivers teem with Mahseer, tigers roam the rich forests and the Black Necked Crane roosts in highest climes. Trashigang and Lhuentse have spectacular Dzongs replete with ancient history. The people of the east are also distinct in their way of life and culture.

Lhuentse is the first town one will come across as you travel east from Bumthang. It was called Kurtoe and is the ancestral home of Wangchuck dynasty. Dasho Jigme Namgyal was born here in 1825.

Most of Lhuentse district is part of the environmentally protected areas of Bhutan. The district contains parts of Wangchuck Centennial Park in the north, Thrumshingla National Park in the south and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in the east. These three parks are connected by biological corridors that crisscross the central and southern regions of the district.

Popularly known as Lhundub Rinchentse, this mighty fortress sits upon a hill overlooking the Kurichu River. It was constructed in 1654 by the Trongsa Penlop, Chogyal Minjur Tempa. Today the dzong is the administrative and the religious centre of the district. It houses many sacred artifacts that were installed by the 4th Druk Desi Tenzin Rabgay.

An hour walk from the main road leading to Lhuentse Dzong is Khoma village famous for intricate woven clothes made of silk called Kishu Thara. The other pilgrimage sites around this area are Beyul Khenpajong and Singye Dzong.

The tiny village of Kilung is a twenty-minute drive from the Dzong on the route towards Kurtoe Dungkhar. In the village you will come across the Kilung Lhakhang situated on a ridge overlooking the Kuri Chu River. 

This village is inhabited by the Tshanglas who migrated and settled here during the late 1880’s. It was built on the former site of the Kilung Gyalpo, a regional chieftain. This temple houses the sacred chain mall that was once used to recapture a statue that miraculously flew away from the Lhuentse Dzong.

The world’s largest statue of Guru Rinpoche, with the total height of 173 feet, stands imposingly on the Takila mountain slope. This is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Lhuentse district, overlooking the entire valley of Tangmachu. Belonging to the Tangmachu community, an old monastery (Lhakhang) exists at the site of Guru Statue. 

Mongar is the fastest-developing dzongkhag in eastern Bhutan. The road approaching Mongar is one of the most spectacular journeys in the country. It passes over sheer cliffs and through beautiful fir forests and green pastures. Travelers to Bhutan passing this route will have the opportunity to visit the Rhododendron garden. There are countless varieties of rhododendrons here and on clear days you can even catch a glimpse of Gangkhar Puensum (7541 m), a strong candidate for the world’s highest unclimbed mountain.

The Dzong in Mongar was built (1930), it was constructed the same way as all earlier dzongs, without plans or nails.

However, unlike the earlier dzongs, that are located in strategic positions, Mongar Dzong is located on a small gently sloping area just above the town. A visit to Mongar Dzong demonstrates how traditional Bhutanese architecture has continued to thrive through the centuries.

One of the most notable religious sites is the Dramitse Lhakhang. It was built in the 16th century by Ani Cheten Zangmo, the daughter of the renowned Terton (religious treasure seeker) Pema Lingpa. The Dramitse Ngacham or the “Dance of the Drums of Dramitse,” was created in this lhakhang in the 16th century. Today, it is a popular dance performed at all major festivals. It is also on the esteemed UNESCO World Heritage list. 

The ruin of Zhongar Dzong endures to this day as a testimony to the skill of its builders, most notably the renowned master craftsman, Zowo Balip. It is located on a hilltop overlooking the village of Themnangbi and is visible as one descends to Lingmenthang from the highway. Constructed in the 17th century, the Dzong is believed to have been built at a site where the master architect Zow Balip saw a white bowl. A visit to the ruins can be a memorable experience and will give you a sense of medieval Bhutanese administration.

The Yagang Lhakhang is located in a small village next to the town is another sacred monument of the Dzongkhag. It was built in the 16th century by Sangdag, the youngest son of Tertoen Pema Lingpa. It was built after the Kupijigtsam Lhakhang in Yangneer village in Trashigang was completed. Today, the lhakhang plays an important role in the religious life of the people

One of the newest dzongkhags in the country, Trashi yangtse was established as a distinct district in 1992. With its wealth of natural, historical and cultural resources Trashi yangtse is a destination that visitors to Bhutan will never forget.

Trashi yangtse is an ethnically and culturally diverse district. The people of the region have developed incredible skill at woodworking and paper making. The items they produce such as traditional wooden bowls are prized throughout the country.

A two hour drive from Trashigang is Chorten Kora, modeled after Boudhanath stupa in Nepal. The local people and Dakpa people from Arunachal Pradesh gather in February/March for a festival to circumambulate the chorten.

A similar festival in Gom Kora takes place 10 days later. Bumdeling to the north is home to wintering black necked cranes and to Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory, the national butterfly of Bhutan.

Trashigang, “The Jewel of the East”, spans the easternmost corners of the kingdom, skirting up to the edge of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is the country’s largest district, with an altitude ranging from 600 m to over 4000 m.

Bhutan’s largest river, Dangme Chhu, flows through this district. Trashigang town is set on a scenic hillside and was once a bustling trade centre for merchants looking to barter their goods in Tibet. Today, it is the junction of the East-West highway with road connections to Samdrup Jongkhar and the Indian state of Assam. Trashigang town is also the principle market place for the semi-nomadic people of Merak and Sakteng, whose unique way of dressing stands out from the ordinary Bhutanese Gho and Kira.

Trashigang is home to the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, one of ten protected areas of Bhutan. It was created in part to protect the migoi, a type of yeti, in whose existence most Bhutanese believe. The sanctuary covers the eastern third of the district (the gewogs of Merak and Sakteng). It is connected via biological corridor to Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary in Samdrup Jongkhar District to the south.

Trashigang Dzong or ‘The Fortress of the Auspicious Hill’ was built in 1659 to defend against Tibetan invasions. This imposing fortress is strategically situated high atop a spur overlooking the Dangmechu River.

According to legend, it is said that upon seeing the Dzong, invading Tibetan armies remarked that the Dzong was “not on the ground. It is a “Sky Dzong” before retreating. It has been the political stronghold of Eastern Bhutan for over 300 years. 

Mount Meru is the site of the palace of the Druk Chhoglay Namgyal, which translates to “Victory of Bhutanese over enemies in all directions”. It is accessible only from the north, via a narrow road, paved by blasting through the cliff-side. Due to its location, Trashigang Dzong is one of the most strategically placed Dzongs in Bhutan. The present Dzong was enlarged by Dzongpon Dopola in 1936.

Radhi village is famous for two things, its rice fields and the skill of its weavers. It is often known as the ‘Rice Bowl of the East’ because of its verdant rice fields that supply most of the grain to eastern parts of the country.

The village has around 200 households, all of which the people make living from fine raw silk or bura textiles during the off-agricultural seasons. All textiles produced in Radhi are made using the traditional back-strap loom and traditional dyes. As a result, Radhi village produces some of the most authentic high quality raw silk textiles to be found anywhere in Bhutan.