Places to Visit in Phuntsholing, Bhutan, Asia

Places to Visit in Phuntsholing, Bhutan, Asia

Situated towards the south of the country, Bhutan, Phuntsholing forms the center of administration for the district of Chukha. Phuntsholing is close to the border of Jaigaon village in Indian country. Phuntsholing is 294 meters above the sea level at latitude 26⁰51’0” N and longitude 89⁰23’0” E. The center of administration of the Bank of Bhutan is located in Phuntsholing. This town forms the most important commercial place in the country of Bhutan and has a population of over 20,600 as per 2006 census.

Food and Shopping Phuntsholing

Restaurants located along the streets of Phuntsholing are specialized in various cuisines such as Mediterrain, Indian, Chinese and Bhutanese cuisine.

Tourist Places in Phuntsholing

Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang

This is a temple sited in the center of Phuntsholing symbolizes the abode of Guru Rinpoche. The temple has three floors. Each floor has statues and paintings dedicated to Buddhism culture.

Kharbandi Goemba

This monastery was built in the year 1967, by the then Grand Mother of the Royals, Ashi Phuntsho Choedron. Sited at a height of 400 meters, the monastery provides a beautiful view of the entire town, Phuntsholing.

Amo Chuu

Mass breeding of crocodile takes place at Amo Chuu which is in the proximity to the river flowing at the rear end of Phuntsholing bus station. This is done in order to increase the population of the crocodiles. Later these crocodiles are released in the wild.

Bhutan Gate

Bhutan Gate is the gate present at the entrance of the Bhutan territory. Bhutan Gate offers picturesque scenes to the amateur photographers.

Means of Commutation to Phuntsholing

Airway:

Paro International Airport at Paro is sited at a distance of 166 km from Phuntsholing city. Bagdogra Airport at Siliguri in West Bengal, India is the closest International airport to Phuntsholing and is 154 km far.

Roadway:

There are government run buses such as the Royal Bhutanese Government bus service which take tourists to Bhutan from India and vice versa. Direct service buses are available at Esplanade Bus Station at Kolkata in Indian country, exactly at 7 pm on weekdays such as Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Return journey from Phuentsholing begins at 3 pm at Phuntsholing office especially on Wednesdays and Fridays. It takes 18 to 25 hours to reach either destination.

There are buses also available at Siliguri which travels to Phuentsholing/Jaigaon. From Phuentsholing, one can opt for a private bus or travel by taxi to the capital city, Thimpu.

Rail link:

Hasimara Railway station is closest to Phuntsholing the time taken to travel is hardly 30 minutes by bus. However, there are plenty of bus services available from Jalpaiguri Station in Siliguri and this railway station is the most preferred one by the travelers moving into Bhutan. The time taken to travel from Jalpaiguri station to Phuntsholing is four hours.

Accommodation Options at Phuntsholing

Apart from wonderful architecture and pleasant environment Phuntsholing is one of the most important trading centers of Bhutan. To cater with the increasing traveler or tourist influx and their accommodation needs, three star and four star hotels at Phuntsholing offer luxurious rooms with world class amenities such as gym, laundry service, cable TV, air-conditioned rooms etc, for a tariff of $ 485 to $ 1685. Economy hotels in Phuntsholing with neat and tidy rooms are rented to tourists for $55 for single room and $75 for double room.