Journal · Bumthang
Jakar Dzong
The dzong on the hill above Jakar, Bumthang's main town, which began where a white bird landed.
The story
In 1549 Ngagi Wangchuk was looking for a place to build a monastery when a white bird landed on this spur. He took it as a sign and built a temple, and the name Jakar comes from the white bird. The temple later grew into a dzong, whose outer walls run more than 1,500 m around.
Before you go
It looks down on Chamkhar town and the Chokhor valley, the heart of Bumthang's temple country.
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.