🏯 Rinpung Dzong
Bhutan
About This Sacred Site
Rinpung Dzong ('Fortress on a Heap of Jewels') is a large dzong in the Paro Valley, overlooking the town of Paro and the Paro Chhu river. Originally built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on the foundations of a 15th-century monastery, it serves as both a fortress and the administrative and monastic center of the Paro district. The dzong houses approximately 200 monks and is the venue for the famous Paro Tshechu, one of Bhutan's most celebrated annual festivals. The traditional cantilevered bridge leading to the dzong is one of the finest examples of Bhutanese bridge construction.
Key Facts
- •Built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on 15th-century foundations
- •Houses approximately 200 monks and the Paro district administration
- •Host of the Paro Tshechu, one of Bhutan's most famous festivals
- •The traditional covered bridge (nyamai zam) is an architectural masterpiece
- •Featured in Bernardo Bertolucci's 1993 film 'Little Buddha'
Location
Coordinates: 27.4297, 89.3903
Related Holy Sites
☸️Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple)
Where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha.
🛕Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument in the world, originally Hindu then Buddhist.
🪷Shwedagon Pagoda
Myanmar's most sacred Buddhist pagoda, gilded with 60 tons of gold.
☸️Lumbini
The birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha.
🪷Borobudur
The world's largest Buddhist temple, with 2,672 relief panels.
🏯Potala Palace
Former winter residence of the Dalai Lama, towering over Lhasa.