Changangkha – Buddha Dordenma Biking Trail
Sonam Dendup • June 6, 2020
An Hour Biking Experiences Overlooking Thimphu City
The Changangkha – Buddha Point Hiking and Biking trail spans about 5 kilometers, 2 hours by hike and around a little more than half an hour by biking. The trail starts from near the Changangkha temple and make sure to visit the temple and circumambulate the customary three rounds around the temple for blessings.
The trail will take you through sparsely populated blue pines with view of the Thimphu valley and as you enter further, the jungle gets thicker with thick leaved coniferous trees like oak and shrubs of bamboo. The trail especially in winter is carpeted with Oak and Blue pine leaves and in the spring beautiful with colorful cherry blossoms and rhododendron flowers. It can also get a bit tricky during the monsoon due to heavy rain, but your tour guide will help you on the muddy stretches.
The path leads through gentle slopes as well as steep rugged mountain paths between the placid woods and you can also sight some birds along the way. The trail ends at the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, open space from where you will see the giant statue of Buddha Dordenma – the biggest sitting Buddha in the world.
Through this undisturbed tropical, sub-tropical and Alpine regions of virgin forests, waterfalls and lakes, highland nomadic villages, undisturbed nature and views of the Greater Himalayas and Snow Capped Peaks, Bhutan offers some of the best trekking experiences all year round.
The view from there is the panoramic sight of almost all the tallest Himalayan Mountain of Bhutan like majestic Gangkar Puensum, formidable Table Mountain and Tiger Mountain. As it is located at the top, the view of the Himalayan ranges is better than anywhere in the area, even as compared to famous Dochula Pass.
For Bhutanese, Gross National Happiness means a good government that creates an enabling environment for people to pursue happiness in a meaningful way. The result is a country at peace with itself, and people at peace with themselves!
To Experience True Zhemgang
The Healing Power of Nature
Bird Watching in the Hotspot of Oldest National Park
The Crown Jewel of Bhutan's National Parks
Trong Village - To Promote Eco-Tourism in Zhemgang
Clinging on a huge rock towards the north end of the Tang valley lies the Thowa Drak Hermitage just like the famed Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro. From the valley or road point it is a stiff 3 hours hike uphill through the serene and peaceful forest. Sweeping views of the Tang valley and the landscape can be enjoyed along the way with a bird’s eye view from the main site.
A quick visit to the Swiss Cheese Factory and Brewery is a refreshing alternative after visiting many temples and religious sites in the Bumthang valley. The Factory was started in the late 1960’s by a Swiss national Mr Fritz Maurer who visited Bhutan and settled in Bumthang.