Bhutan has a lot to offer. Among other things to do, here are top museums in Bhutan.
Bhutan is known for its unique culture and authentic traditions that were inspired by its beliefs in Buddhism. There are numerous museums that you can visit while in Bhutan from over a 370 years old watch tower to living museums and heritage museums. Check out our list of the best museums to visit in Bhutan.
National Folk Heritage Museum
This heritage museum is located to the northern side of Thimphu at just a 5 minutes drive from the main town. The museum is basically a 150 years old traditional Bhutanese house set with 18th-century interior furnishing style. The structure signifies the type of architecture that was prevalent in the area during that time, a three-story structure built with rammed mud and wooden posts for pillars. The house has been restored as a national folk heritage museum. The museum exhibits a collection of medieval tools and artifacts to provide the visitors a glimpse of medieval Bhutan.
Simply Bhutan Museum
Simply Bhutan is the only living museum in Bhutan where the whole place is ‘live’ with activities of interactive nature. The museum structure resembles a medieval Bhutanese house which has been built with rammed mud. The museum has been built in such a way that it resembles a traditional Bhutanese house and all the interiors have also been staged with ancient utensils, tools, and artifacts. One glance at the museum would make anybody feel like they have traveled back to prehistoric times. The living museum aims to preserve and promote the ancient traditions and cultural values of Bhutan.
Paro National Museum
The Paro national museum was originally built as a watchtower to protect the Paro Rinpung Dzong. The watchtower was built as a circular structure with irregular placements of small windows and is strategically built above the Dzong on a ridge. The walls of the tower are two and a half meter thick. The tower has now been recognized as a national museum. The museum is one of the must-visit attractions in Paro valley. Legend has it that the museum was also used as a prison cell once upon a time. The structure also had a secret passage that led directly to the Pachu River for water supply during times of war. The museum now exhibits ancient artifacts like weapons, tools, utensils and some of the rarest objects include an egg laid by a mule, a horse horn, stone ax dating back to Stone Age and many such rare artifacts can be found for display at the museum.
Trongsa Ta Dzong Museum
Ta Dzongs are basically watchtowers built in olden days to look for dangers approaching the main Dzong. Trongsa Ta Dzong was built in 1652 by the first Governor of Trongsa districts. Today the watchtower has been restored as a Royal heritage museum. It has some of the rarest Buddhist arts and Royal memorabilia for display.
Bhutan Postal Museum
The Bhutan postal museum is located on the ground floor of the Bhutan post office in the main town in the capital. The museum celebrates the evolution of communication in Bhutan. The Bhutan Postal Museum aims to inform the visitors of how the stamps played a great role in the postal era. It flaunts a plethora of stamps of different shapes and sizes. The museum even has other artifacts like uniforms of the first ever mail runner and different modes of transportation used during the postal era. There is also a small stamp shop just next to the museum where the visitors are given the liberty to custom print their personal photos into stamps as souvenirs.
How to book a tour to Bhutan
“Anyone wishing to travel to Bhutan must book their tour with an authorized travel agent in Bhutan according to the tourism policy of Bhutan. Travel agents of your choice will help you with the visa processing and all the other necessary documentation. You are required to make an advance payment of your booked tour which is set on a daily tariff of $250 per person/per night during peak seasons and $200 during lean seasons. The tariff rate includes a 3-star accommodation, three meals a day, all ground transportation and an English speaking tour guide along with a driver”.