Thimphu, Bhutan

Thimphu is the economic, cultural, and administrative capital of Bhutan, an inland Asian nation in the Himalayan mountains bordering Tibet and Nepal. The city sits on the banks of the Thimphu Chuu (also called the Raidak River or Wong Chuu). Thimphu is one of the most culturally and structurally homogenous cities in the world, as the government maintains strict zoning regulations that dictate the size and design of all building projects. The city is known for its traditional architecture, including many religious fortresses near the borders of the city. Thimphu was essentially a collection of villages until the decision in 1952 to move the national capital there, and life in and around the city follows traditional patterns of Bhutanese life.

Landscape

Thimphu is located in a river valley with a maximum elevation of 2,350 meters (7,656 feet). The urban area occupies approximately 26 square kilometers (10 square miles). Several programs to expand and improve the city have been implemented in the first two decades of the twenty-first century. A major expansion and redevelopment, known as the Thimphu Structure Plan, was approved in 2023 and is designed to boost the city's industry, build new housing, improve infrastructure, and create more public parks and green spaces. The project is expected to be completed by 2047.

The central urban area is surrounded by hills that blend into the Himalayan mountain range. Dzongs, or religious fortresses, are located on many of the surrounding hills providing a structural and architectural ring that surrounds the city. The central area is organized around the Imperial Palace and central government buildings, which blend into commercial and residential zones. The city frequently hosts open-air markets, which offer a variety of arts, crafts, and foods. Most of the government buildings are arranged along the banks of the river. Norzin Lam, the main street of Thimphu, contains a majority of the city’s restaurants and vendors.

The climate in Bhutan varies from tropical in the south to temperate in the north and west. The winter season is from December through February and is marked by low humidity and temperatures falling below freezing. The summer occurs between June and August and is marked by heavy rainfall and temperatures ranging from 8 to 21 degrees Celsius (46 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). In mid-June, Bhutan experiences its monsoon season, which often results in flooding.

People

Bhutan is a sparsely populated country, with approximately 867,181 people according to 2022 estimates. The growth rate for the population was estimated in 2023 at 0.96 percent, just under 1 percent. According to the 2005 national census, the population of Thimphu was just over 79,000; 2018 estimates are around 203,000, constituting more than 26 percent of the national population. As of 2023, an estimated 44.4 percent of Bhutan’s population lived in one of the nation’s urban areas.

The primary ethnic group in Bhutan is the Ngalop (also called Bhote), an indigenous ethnic group from Tibet, which accounts for around 50 percent of the population. Most of the remaining Bhutanese (35 percent) are ethnic Nepalese. Bhutan also has a small population (15 percent) of indigenous tribal groups. Indigenous populations are more common in rural areas. Dzongkha, a Tibetan language spoken by most Ngalop, is the official language of Bhutan and is used in administrative and official functions. Some Ngalop speak other Tibetan languages, while most of the nation’s Nepalese residents speak Nepalese dialects.

The official religion of Bhutan is a branch of Tibetan Buddhism known as Drukpa, which is practiced by approximately 75 percent of the population. The predominance of Buddhism is reflected in the architecture and organization of the cities, which are often arranged around the location of Buddhist temples. Most of the non-Buddhist population practices some form of Hinduism, especially varieties originating in Nepal.

Bhutanese culture is closely tied to the traditional, agricultural lifestyle of the founding population. The government requires that all new buildings follow a traditional design and also maintains laws requiring citizens to wear native dress. Though modernization continues, with many Bhutanese living and working in the cities, Bhutanese life is still closely linked to the nation’s cultural heritage. Though the government is investing heavily in the educational system, as of 2021, an estimated 70.9 percent of the population was literate. School completion rates are low among the rural population.

Though most of Bhutan is devoid of nightlife, Thimphu has a variety of bars, dance clubs, and restaurants that are open late and are frequented by both tourists and residents. Bhutanese cuisine is closely related to Nepalese and Tibetan food, with a focus on using rice with a variety of peppers, spices, and curries. Restaurants in Thimphu serve native food as well as a variety of international cuisines.

Economy

Bhutan has close economic ties to India. Trade with India, to which Bhutan exports hydropower, among other commodities, tripled from US$484 million in 2015 to US$1.42 billion in 2022, accounting for 80 percent of Bhutan's total trade. The nation’s other chief export partners are China and Bangladesh. Over 60 percent of the population is employed in agriculture and forestry. Commercial farms produce rice, wheat, and a variety of vegetables. Spices, including cardamom, are among the nation’s chief export commodities.

Industrial manufacturing is more common in the areas surrounding the larger cities. Manufacturing plants in and around Thimphu produce concrete and other mineral products. In addition, Thimphu has a number of timber mills that produce wood products and furniture. Bhutan’s economy relies on economic aid, most of which is distributed from India. To accommodate commuter traffic, Thimphu has a public bus system and has plans to construct a light rail along the Thimpu Chuu.

Landmarks

The traditional dzongs, or religious fortresses, are among the most famous landmarks in Thimphu. The Tashichho Dzong, located on the banks of the Thimphu Chuu, is the largest dzong in Thimphu. Once the location of the National Assembly, the Tashichho Dzong houses the administrative offices of the monarch. The Simtokha Dzong, located approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Thimphu, was built in 1629 and is the oldest dzong in the nation that has survived as a complete structure. The Simtokha Dzong houses a school for religious education.

The Mini Zoo, located at the northwest edge of the valley, provides visitors with a glimpse of the takin, an endangered animal related to the cow, which is one of the nation’s symbols. The zoo is located near the area known as Sangaygang, a popular spot for hiking and picnicking that offers some of the best views of the valley.

The Memorial Chorten, a religious monument in the shape of a tower, stands in the center of the city. The tower was built in 1974 to commemorate the third king of Bhutan and contains a wealth of traditional Bhutanese sculptures and paintings. Thousands of Thimphu citizens gather at the Chorten for their daily worship practices, as the tower is among the most visible religious structures in the city.

Thimphu has one of the nation’s largest libraries, the National Library, which was established in 1964 to preserve the national collections of Tibetan and Dzongkha texts. The library building is constructed in a traditional Bhutanese style and contains a large collection of books related to Bhutanese history and culture. In addition, the National Library has a collection of international and foreign language books.

The Royal University of Bhutan, which is the national university system, is headquartered in Thimphu and is composed of eight separate institutions. The university center in Thimphu accommodates approximately 500 students, though the department of education has plans to expand the student capacity. The university center in Thimphu is located within one of the city’s most vibrant entertainment districts, making it an excellent spot for visitors.

History

Though some of Thimphu’s monasteries were built in the sixteenth century, the city was not the seat of the Bhutanese government until 1961, at the end of a government relocation project initiated a decade earlier. Little is known about Bhutan before the introduction of Buddhism from Tibet in the seventh century CE. For centuries, the Bhutanese government used a unique system in which a shabdrung, or religious leader, served as head of state; the shabdrung was assisted by an appointed Druk Desi, or prime minister. The shabdrung system was abolished in the early twentieth century, when the country adopted a monarchic system centered behind a single leader known as the Druk Gyalpo (dragon king).

Thimphu began as a small, agricultural village near the nation’s first dzong. From the fifteenth to the twentieth centuries, Thimphu served as one of two national capitals and was generally used during the spring and summer; the city of Punakha was used as a winter capital. In 1960, the third Druk Gyalpo set forth a decree calling for all administrative functions to be relocated to Thimphu. The following year, Thimphu became the administrative and cultural capital of Bhutan. It has since grown to become the economic center of Bhutan as well.

In 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck held a national referendum on the nation’s first constitution, which instituted several democratic reforms. The following year, the king abdicated his throne to allow his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to succeed him. And, in 2008, the nation held its first parliamentary election.

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