Journal · Thimphu
Buddha Dordenma
A giant bronze Buddha on the hill above southern Thimphu, finished in 2015, with 125,000 smaller Buddhas inside.
The story
The statue was built at Kuensel Phodrang from 2006 to 2015 and completed on 25 September 2015. It marks the 60th birthday of the Fourth King. It is bronze, gilded, and was made by a company in Nanjing, China.
How big
Sources give its height as anything from 51.5 to 54 metres. That makes it one of the largest seated Buddhas in the world. Inside are 100,000 gilded bronze Buddhas about eight inches tall and 25,000 of about twelve inches.
Before you go
Late afternoon gives the softest light over the valley. Look inside the hall under the statue too.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so or leave the detail out. Opening times and rules change, so your guide confirms on the day.