Journal · Paro
National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong)
Bhutan's national museum, in a round watchtower built in 1649 above Paro Dzong.
The story
Ta Dzong means watchtower. It was built in 1649 by Tenzin Drukdra, the first governor of Paro, to guard Rinpung Dzong below. The Third King had it turned into the National Museum, which opened in 1968.
An earthquake in 2011 damaged the tower. The collection moved to a temporary hall while the tower was conserved with help from the Government of India, work finished in 2019.
Look for
Masks, thangkas, old arms, stamps and natural history. It gives you the names for much of what you will see in temples later.
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.