Nepal & Bhutan - Day 4 - Journey to Bhutan - Thimphu and the Great Buddha Dordenma

Day 4 - Journey to Bhutan - Thimphu and the Great Buddha Dordenma

Day 4 of our Nepal and Bhutan adventure began before dawn in Kathmandu as we prepared to catch the 9 AM flight to Paro, Bhutan. The flight itself proved to be an unforgettable experience, offering breathtaking aerial views of Mount Everest—the world’s highest peak at 8,849 meters—before our descent into Paro’s remarkable valley airport, considered one of the most challenging yet scenic approaches in the world.

Our first impressions of Bhutan were overwhelmingly positive. Paro Airport, despite its dramatic mountain setting, operated with impressive efficiency, and the warmth and friendliness of the Bhutanese people immediately set the tone for our time in this Himalayan kingdom. After clearing customs, we embarked on a scenic drive to Thimphu, the capital city.

Thimphu: A Capital Like No Other

Thimphu holds the unique distinction of being one of only two capital cities in the world without traffic lights (the other being Ngerulmud in Palau). Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,320 meters (7,710 feet) in the western Bhutan Himalayas, Thimphu became the capital in 1961, replacing the ancient capital of Punakha. The city beautifully balances modernity with tradition—while it serves as Bhutan’s political and economic centre, all buildings are constructed in traditional Bhutanese architectural style, creating a harmonious cityscape that respects the nation’s cultural heritage.

The Great Buddha Dordenma

After checking into our hotel, we visited one of Bhutan’s most iconic modern landmarks: the Great Buddha Dordenma. This magnificent gilded bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha stands 51.5 meters (169 feet) tall, making it one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. Perched atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park overlooking the Thimphu Valley, the statue commands a powerful presence against the mountain backdrop.

The statue’s history is as fascinating as its scale. Constructed to fulfill an ancient prophecy and commissioned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Buddha Dordenma was consecrated in 2015. Perhaps most remarkable is what lies within: the statue contains over 125,000 smaller Buddha statues, each also made of bronze and gilded in gold. These inner statues range from 8 to 12 inches in height, creating a literal Buddha within Buddhas.

The Great Buddha symbolizes peace and happiness, and according to the prophecy, it is said to “bestow blessings and bring peace and happiness to the whole world.” Standing before this colossal figure as the afternoon light played across its golden surface provided a profound moment of reflection and an auspicious beginning to our Bhutanese journey.

Twilight in Thimphu

As the day drew to a close, we captured photographs of Thimphu at twilight. The city’s lights began to twinkle against the darkening valley, creating a magical atmosphere. The traditional architecture illuminated against the mountain silhouettes offered a perfect visual summary of Bhutan’s philosophy—a nation consciously choosing to measure its success not by Gross Domestic Product but by Gross National Happiness, where ancient wisdom and modern development walk hand in hand.

Though it was a relatively short day of photography, the quality of experiences far exceeded the quantity of hours. From the morning’s flight past Everest to the evening’s golden Buddha overlooking a peaceful valley, Day 4 served as a powerful introduction to the Kingdom of Bhutan—the Last Shangri-La.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​