LHUENTSE Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Lhuentse Dzongkhag A Valley with Enchanting Legends, Myths, Histories and Culture Traveler’s Guide Published by: Research & Policy Department, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Telephone No. +975 2 322742/324254, URL: www.bcci.org.bt & Planning Unit, Dzongkhag Administration, Lhuentse Telephone No. +975 4 545182, URL: www.lhuentse.gov.bt Year 2017 Layout & Design: ICT Division, BCCI MESSAGE FROM DZONGDAG, LHUENTSE DZONGKHAG The Lhuentse Dzongkhag has unexplored yet several potential tourist attractions spread across every Gewog. It is, therefore, with the aim of providing a clear guide in exploring and presenting these tourist attractions, we are pleased to collaborate with the BCCI (Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry) in publishing this traveler’s guide titled, “A valley with enchanting legends, myths, histories and culture”. Hence, this valuable guidebook will definitely provide travel enthusiasts a clear portrait of potential tourist attractions in Lhuentse. This booklet details the historical background of the Dzongkhag and potential tour- ist destinations such as important local festivals and sacred places in the Dzongkhag. In nutshell, the Dzongkhag is blessed with the visit of numerous holy figures like Guru Rinpoche, Terton Pema Lingpa, Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk, Khedrup Kuenga Wangpo, Lama Sonam Zangpo and many other sacred Drukpa Lamas in the past. It also takes pride in being the ancestral home of our beloved Kings with splendid Jigme Namgyel Nagtshang restored to its original grandeur. The Dzongkhag is en- riched with deep rooted tradition and culture with every Gewog endowed with its own unique local cultural festivals which are celebrated around the year. The Chha festival of Tangmachhu is one such example. The Dzongkhag is also the home of sacred religious sites such as Singye Dzong, Takila Guru Statue, Rinchen Bumpa, Khenpajong, Sangwai Dadru, etc. Similarly, Kishuthara, the most coveted Bhuta- nese women’s attire is produced in the Dzongkhag, at Khoma, which is 10km away (paved road) from the Dzongkhag headquarter. Taking this privilege, let me thank the BCCI for the collaboration in the research and funding of the booklet. I also express my gratitude to my Planning Officers, Mr. Tshering Dendup (2008-2013) for taking enormous initiatives in research of the historical places/sacred sites of the Dzongkhag and Mr. Dawa Tshering (2014 – till date) for updating and editing the document in collaboration with the BCCI. It would also be unfair on my part without thanking the previous Dasho Dzongdags of Lhuentse, Dasho Tshering Kezang (24/10/2007 to 29/03/2013) and Dasho Sonam Wangyel (30/03/3013–28/06/2016) for their continuous support and reminder to the Planning Officers in undertaking the research and publication of the booklet. Therefore, I do hope that this traveler’s guide will provide immediate information, on travel destinations in Lhuentse, to all the readers. I too wish, in advance, every traveler a wonderful adventure and pleasant stay in the Dzongkhag. Trashi Delek! Jambay Wangchuk DZONGDAG MESSAGE FROM BCCI SECRETARY GENERAL The Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) in collaboration with Lhuentse Dzongkhag Administration is pleased to bring out this publication on tourists attractions of Lhuentse Dzongkhag. The Chamber believes that there is a potential to package each district as an exclusive tourists destination. As a step towards heading to this endeavor, it is essential to profile the attractions and document it, which will guide the visitors as well as the tour service providers. To this end, the Chamber and Lhuentse Dzongkhag has undertaken pro- filing of tourists attractions of Lhuentse Dzongkhag to organize in the form of information booklet. This information booklet attempts to put together all the information useful for the visi- tors coming to Lhuentse and those facilitating to manage tours within the Dzongkhag. This information booklet, which is expected to serve as a guide for the travelers and to those packaging the tours, carries profiles of historical sites and their significances. It also has information on various myths, community-based ethnic festivals, their significances and when these festivals are held. What tour activities one could undertake while in Lhuentse is also detailed out in this booklet. I hope this booklet will provide readers with adequate first-hand information that would enable planning of activities while visiting Lhuentse Dzongkhag. Phub Tshering SECRETARY GENERAL Lhuentse at your fingertips When to Visit Lhuentse? Indian state of Assam. The distance between Bhutan, with its busy festival calendar Guwahati and Samdrup Jongkhar is 100 spread throughout the year, is considered to KM. A relaxed drive uphill passing through be a destination one could visit any time of diverse vegetation and landscape will take the year to explore and enjoy its attractions. one to Lhuentse Dzongkhag. Samdrup Jongkhar to Lhuentse will be approximately However, spring and autumn are considered a full-day drive journey. to be the best time to visit Bhutan. Spring and autumn seasons in Bhutan are consid- Weather ered to be the most ideal time for touring Lhuentse valley experiences cold and dry and hiking. Autumn is also the time for winters and wet and hot summers. One popular festivals of Bhutan. could plan trip packing considering the av- erage temperatures for different seasons. With its pristine forest and rugged hills, Lhuentse Dzongkhag offers an excellent Accommodation location for some of the best day hikes and Unlike other tourist affluent districts in trekking. Like any other places in the coun- the country, Lhuentse does not have tour- try, spring and autumn is the best time to ist standard hotels with modern amenities. visit Lhuentse. One could also visit Lhuentse However, the accommodation experience during summer and winter to witness some while in Lhuentse will be one of the exciting of the distinctive and unique ethnic festivals. memories of the visit that should make the Most of the rare and unique traditional festi- tour a complete one. vals of Lhuentse also happen during winter. There are number of home-stays spread How to get into Lhuentse Valley across Lhuentse, which would give a per- Since Lhuentse is in the far-east, it takes fair- fect experience of life in the rural settings. ly longer days to reach there. Unlike other The “Bed & Breakfast” style accommoda- western and central districts, one would tions are coming up in Lhuentse. One could have to go through long hours of drive. choose to stay in such accommodation ar- However, such drive for sure will give visi- rangements. tors an incredible experience to appreciate at all times to come. Getting around Lhuentse Visitors would not require a car to go around For international visitors, particularly, after small Lhuentse Town. However, a comfort- landing at Paro International Airport, one able car (probably 4WD) will be required as could either take a domestic flight directly the attractions are spread wide across, going to Yonphula and drive to Lhuentse or take through mostly farm roads. a flight to Bumthang and drive from there. Those adventurous travelers could enter The tour agent will arrange the transpor- Lhuentse from Bumthang via Rodung La tation for sightseeing if you have come trek route. And those wishing to see the through an organized channel (Tour agent). glimpse of other districts en-route could Local taxis are also available to ferry the visi- consider undertaking journey by road. tors around for sightseeing. The alternate route could be to fly to Gu- wahati and enter via Samdrup Jongkhar, a district in the east which shares border with 1 Lhuentse weather in breif Month Temperature Average Average Rainfall (Degree Celsius) Temperature (Milli meter) Jan Max 17.3 6.85 Min 7.3 Feb Max 19.8 26.35 Min 9 Mar Max 23.5 37.35 Min 12.2 Apr Max 25.9 141.15 Min 15 May Max 27.1 268.08 Min 17.1 Jun Max 28.3 239.7 Min 19.8 Jul Max 28.7 456.65 Min 20 Aug Max 28.9 475.03 Min 20 Sept Max 27.6 173.13 Min 19 Oct Max 25.4 120.7 Min 15.4 Nov Max 22.4 2.78 Min 11.6 Dec Max 18.2 4.05 Min 8.6 2 Essential Information Currency & 4G connectivity service is also accessible The official currency of Bhutan is Ngultrum in Lhuentse. (Nu). Bank notes are available in denomina- tions of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Postal Services Indian Rupee is a legal tender in Bhutan Bhutan Postal Corporation Ltd, an under- and can be used for payments. US Dollars taking of the Royal Government of Bhutan are also accepted for payment. However, it is has its branches all over the districts and advisable to have some amount of currency sub-districts. These branch offices provide changed to Bhutanese Ngultrum for small wide range of postal services, both domestic payments. and international. Foreign Exchange Facility There are only a few authorized provate money exchangers in the country. Lhuentse does not have private authorized money ex- change counter. Therefore, you will have to exchange money either from the Airport or the Banks. Some hotels do provide currency exchange facilities. Some shops do buy for- eign currency but rates they offer may fluc- tuate. Banks and Automated Teller Machines Bank of Bhutan Limited and Bhutan Devel- opment Bank Limited have their branch of- fices in Lhuentse. Lhuentse Dzongkhag also has Bhutan National Bank Limited’s exten- sion office, which provides banking services. ATM facilities for these banks are located within the bank premises or at separate loca- tions within a walking distance. Instructions are generally displayed in English. Mobile services Bhutan has two mobile service providers, Bhutan Telecom Ltd and Tashi Cell.