Punakha

Location: Between Thimphu and Wangdi

Distance from Thimphu: 77 km (3 hrs 15 mins)

Elevation: 1,350m, 4,430ft
Punakha Dzongkhag has nine Geogs with a total of 2001 households. Except for Talo and Guma Geogs, most Geogs are located along the banks of Pho-chhu and Mo-chhu. Despite favorable climatic conditions and very fertile agricultural land, farm productivity is low. Majority of the farm households still lack direct access to motor roads which pose considerable difficulties in transporting farm surplus to market.

Punakha has many religious sites manifested with monasteries, temples and chhortens with significant historical values. The most spectacular view is the diversion of the Pho-chhu and the Mo-chhu and their meeting again, to form the Puna Tsang-chhu. The Dzong stands majestically on the little island formed by the two rivers. It was in Punakha, the first hereditary Monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck was enthroned on 17 December 1907. Punakha served as the winter capital till 1955 and Punakha Dzong continues to be the winter residence of the Central Monk Body.