Day 7 – The cradle of the monarchy

Today we leave the Bumthang valley with destination Trongsa.

We will make our first stop in the village of Zugne. The women here weave the famous Bumthang Yatha from pure wool with traditional drawing and colours. The yatha is a roll of heavy woolen fabric that can be used to make a blanket, pillowcase or clothing. The village itself is now also known for something else. The parents of the current and also very popular queen, Jetsun Pema, live here. She is an commoner girl who married the king in 2011. She enjoyed a Western upbringing and studied in London, among other places.

Then we start the climb of the Yuto-La. The top of the pass is also at a decent 3,300 m.

Along the way we get a first look at the snow-capped peaks of the higher Himalayas. But on the pass itself it is too cloudy to get a good view of them.

We descend to Trongsa. Trongsa literally means 'new city'. The city lies smack in the middle of the country and is considered the cradle of the monarchy. Indeed, it was the governor of Trongsa who became the first king of Bhutan. As a matter of fact, the crown prince is still given the position of governor of Trongsa as part of his training for kingship.

We first stop at the watchtower, the Ta Dzong. 

This defense tower is strategically located on a mountainside along the only road connecting east and west. In the watchtower we first watch a movie about the history and especially the monarchy of Bhutan. The museum of the monarchy is located in the tower itself.

After lunch we walk further into the city of Trongsa. There is not much to see. We descend further to the dzong. This is the largest dzong in the country with a record number of no fewer than twenty-two temples and the end is not yet in sight. 

It is an impressive dzong, with delicate carvings and with majestic, grand, phenomenal temples, worthy of a king and a coronation. It will therefore not surprise you that the kings are crowned here.

Our hotel is just up the hillside. From my terrace I look straight at the dzong. Too bad it's just starting to rain to really enjoy it. The dzong is an architectural masterpiece with a labyrinth of corridors and galleries. From my point of view you cannot miss its grandeur and it lies like a divine work in the middle of the green surroundings. For once, that divine work is at my feet. I am in seventh heaven.