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Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
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This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
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Nai Mong Hoi Thod
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Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
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All Bhutan

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Bhutan

19 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Bhutan

Updated January 11, 2023

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Cities

Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, at Motithang Takin Preserve.
Thimphu
Facing east.
Punakha
Taktsang Palphug Monastery
Paro
View of Trongsa Dzong from Trongsa village
Trongsa
Attractions
Trips
Map
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Stories

Unusual Attractions in Bhutan

Taktsang Palphug Monastery

Paro, Bhutan

Paro Taktsang

The small cliffside monastery known as the Tiger's Nest is said to be the meditation site of an 8th-century Buddhist master.
The meditation caves.

Dochula, Bhutan

Dochula Pass Meditation Caves

The small sanctuaries lie just off the beaten path near one of Bhutan's most famous attractions.
Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, at Motithang Takin Preserve.

Thimphu, Bhutan

Motithang Takin Preserve

Strange, gentle beasts resembling goat-cow hybrids roam within this patch of forest.
Head on view of the Buddha Dordenma statue

Thimphu, Bhutan

Buddha Dordenma Statue

This giant Buddha statue has 125,000 smaller Buddhas hidden inside it.
Garden of Phallus.

Thimphu, Bhutan

Garden of Phallus (Wangchuk Chenmoi Dümra)

This garden is very fertile.
View of Trongsa Dzong from Trongsa village

Trongsa, Bhutan

Trongsa Dzong

The largest and, arguably, most scenic fortress in Bhutan.
Facing east.

Punakha, Bhutan

Punakha Suspension Bridge

This colorful overpass is one of Bhutan's longest suspension bridges.
Chimi Lhakhang

Punakha, Bhutan

Chimi Lhakhang

This penis-focused monastery is dedicated to Buddhism's "Divine Madman."
See All 19 Things To Do in Bhutan
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Festivals & Temples of Bhutan

Festivals, astrology, and epic landscapes in Bhutan.

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Explore Bhutan

19
Buddhism 9
Religion 5
Sacred Spaces 5
Legends 4
Temples 3
Statues 2
History 2
Bhutan 2

Bhutan Leaderboard

Places Added

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    6
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    5
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    2
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    1
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    1

Places Edited

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    6
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    3
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    3
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    2
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    2
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Recent Bhutan Activity

  • ashehab333

    wants to go to Chimi Lhakhang

    9 days ago
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    wants to go to Motithang Takin Preserve

    9 days ago
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    wants to go to Garden of Phallus (Wangchuk Chenmoi Dümra)

    8 days ago
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    wants to go to Gangteng Gompa

    8 days ago
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    wants to go to Gangkhar Puensum

    8 days ago

Stories About Bhutan

At a Festival in Bhutan, Some Dancers Bare All to Ward Off Evil Spirits

One of the many traditional dances at the annual Jambay Lhakhang Drup involves performers in masks—and nothing else.
by Erika Fatland
January 11, 2023
Sange Norbu milks a yak in Northeast India.

The Last Cheesemakers of the Eastern Himalayas

India and Bhutan's yak herders face steep challenges.
by Jitaditya Narzary
June 8, 2022
A tiger painted on a building in Thimphu; tigers are particularly revered in Bhutan.

In Bhutan, a Rare Tiger's Mysterious Illness Had a Surprising Source

Local vets collaborated with an international team to figure out why the animal was dazed and wandering near the capital city.
by Madeline Bodin
February 23, 2022
Chillies hanging out to dry in Bhutan.

Decoding Bhutan's Love Affair With Chili Peppers

In the small mountain country, spicy peppers dominate breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
by Charukesi Ramadurai
November 2, 2017

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