Information about Thimphu

Thimphu (Tibetan script: ཐིམ་ཕུག།) is the capital of Bhutan, and also the name of the surrounding valley and dzongkhag, the Thimphu District. With a population of 98,676 (2005 PHCB), it is the largest population centre in the country. Thimphu is located at , altitude of 2320m/7656ft.

Tashichoedzong, the fortress monastery on the northern edge of the city, built in the 17th century, has been the seat of Bhutan's government since 1952.

The city sprawls across the western slopes of the Wang Chhu river valley, with a government quarter centred on Tashichoedzong. Rapid expansion following the pattern of rural exodus has resulted in considerable rebuilding in the city centre and mushrooming suburban development elsewhere. Norzin Lam, the recently upgraded main thoroughfare, is lined with shops, restaurants, retail arcades and public buildings. Elsewhere, there is a mix of apartment blocks, small family homes and family-owned stores. By regulation, all buildings are required to be designed in traditional style with Buddhist paintings and motifs. A lively weekend market near the river supplies meat, vegetables and tourist items. Most of the city's limited light industry is located south of the main bridge. Thimphu has a growing number of commercial services and offices which provide for ever-growing local needs. The city is surrounded by forests which make the city look even greener. With on going construction for the 2008 celebrations of 100 years of Monarchy and Bhutan's transition to Parliamentary Democracy, more and more construction is seen throughout Thimphu.

Dechenphu, Tango and Cheri monasteries, and Dechenchoeling Palace, the official residence of the King, are located to the north of the city.

Public transport

Thimphu is served by a 'City Bus' service which operates throughout the day. Plans have also been made to construct a light tram along the banks of the Wang Chhu that is both environment-friendly and efficient.

Landmarks in Thimphu

Tashichoedzong hosts a colourful masked-dance festival (tsechhu) at the end of summer, which is popular with tourists. A new Tsechhu ground is said to be constructed that can take in the capacity of both tourists and the locals as well.

Thimphu is the only national capital in Asia, other than Pyongyang in North Korea, that does not have traffic lights. When local authorities installed a set of lights a few years ago, people complained that they were too impersonal. The authorities gave in, and took them down. Instead of traffic lights, the city takes pride in its traffic police that directs the oncoming traffic with their dance-like movement of their arms and hands.

The Memorial Chorten dominates the skyline of Thimphu. This Chorten is dedicated to the Third Druk Gyalpo(King), Jigme Dorji Wangchuck after his sudden death while travelling abroad. A great amount of renovation is taking place for the 2008 celebrations to mark the Century of the Monarch in Bhutan.

The National Library (1967) built in the style of a traditional temple contains a large collection of religious books and manuscripts in Dzongkha and Classical Tibetan and a collection of English-language books. It also contains a copy of the largest published book in the world.

A large Buddha statue (largest in the world) is under-construction which will be finished on 2008. It will be overlook the city from a mountain top called Kuensel Phodrang.

The National Post Office, along Chang lam, is an institute itself where famous Bhutanese export is seen and sold: the various stamps. Stamp collectors all over the world know that Bhutan is the first country to diversify and export quality stamps. Old and expensive stamps are exhibited at the National Museum in Paro.

The Clock Tower Square is a recently renovated square surrounded by shops and restaurants. Fountains and traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (prayer wheels) make the place more comfortable. On one side, the luxurious Druk Hotel is situated. Various programmes and activities are held here. It was also the check point for the SAARC Car Rally.

Museums

Along the end of the Norzin Lam(Lam - road/street), Thimphu's own Textile Museum that displays various Bhutanese textiles that are extensive and rich in traditional culture. It also exhibits colourful and rare kiras and ghos(traditional Bhutanese dress, Kira for women and gho for Men)

The National Folk Heritage Museum displays traditional Bhutanese ways of life in a traditional Bhutanese house. It is an interesting view in to Bhutanese culture and domestic lives of the Bhutanese. There is also Bhutanses Dances and exhibits that are held in the Museum Compound.

VAST (Voluntary Artist's Studio, Thimphu) located along Chang Lam is a busy place with after-school and weekend drawing and painting classes for youngsters conducted by volunteer artists. A gallery on the top floor exhibits a mixture of both traditional and contemporary works. There is also a small library and coffee shop where budding artists are encouraged to meet.

TheNational Institute of traditional Medicine has also a small museum on its premises.

Every monastery and temple in Thimphu is alive and well. These are some institutions where one can see how Buddhists pray and their daily routines.

Institutions

Thimphu is the center for various educational institutions:

The city is the home for the office of the Royal University of Bhutan (Commonly known as the RUB).

The Institute for Language and Culture Studies (ILCS) which is part of the Royal University is a college for Dzongkha teachers and researchers.

The National Institute for Zorig Chusum is a training institute that trains students in the thirteen traditional arts known as the Zorig Chusum. Many visitors take time to look at the works and arts and even watch how a piece is made.

The National Institute of Traditional Medicine (Estb. 1988) contains an impressive, large laboratory and production facilities that ensures quality of the products, the components of which includes plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. The Institution produces traditional Bhutanese medicine towards the needs of the public. There is a day-care facility and clinic where doctors diagnose patients and prescribe appropriate medicines or treatments. The institute also researches the use or herbs and plants and has a plot(trial) on the premises. A small museum and a gift shop(where the famous herbal tea -Tsheringma- is produced) is also present in its compounds.

The Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) is the home of the Royal Dance troupe.

Thimphu Structure Plan

A new plan for the city, called the Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP)[1] , was prepared and approved by the Council of Ministers in 2003, and subsequently by the elected Thimphu Municipal Corporation, that is implementing the plan. The TSP was prepared by the well-known architect Christopher Charles Benninger, who won the American Institute of Architect's Award 2000 for his design of the United World College of India. In 2006 the British Society for Design made him the first Indian Architect to receive the Recognitiion of Excellence Award. In 2007 he became the sixth Indian Architect to win the Golden Architect Award for Life Time Achievement. He has recently won the Indian Institute of Architects Award for the Best Institutional building in India (2006).

The TSP is directed at protecting the fragile ecology of the valley, including its rivers and forests. Considering the rapid growth of automobiles and pressure on the public health infrastructure in the town centre, restrictions on plot coverage and building heights were imposed. Critical to the plan are fifteen Urban Villages created through participatory land pooling, each having its own Village Square with amenities, garden, creche and an express bus link connected by the proposed Urban Corridor (under construction). The planning approach became widely known as the Principles of Intelligent Urbanism.

Challenges facing the TSP from large land owners were considerable, but were resolved through Public Consultations and meetings with Stakeholders. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are funding the plan, which the planners feel is visibly improving the city. Planners and urban managers from other countries are visiting the Kingdom to learn how an urban fabric can be well managed with limited funds. The Structure Plan is noteworthy for its participatory approach in which there were city wide consultations and grass root meetings with the local land owners. The plan was given a dedicated web page by the government so that it could be downloaded in its entirety by anyone wishing to analyse it. Unlike many other such plans in the sub-continent, this plan is rapidly being implemented.

References

External links

• Department of Tourism, Bhutan
• Bhutan Travel Information and Travel Tips
• City map RAO online
• Thimphu Dzongkhag
• Five year plan 2002-2007
• The Thimphu Classifieds
• Thimphu City Information and Pictures

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