Journal · Paro
Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong)
Paro's fortress on a heap of jewels, built from 1644 to 1646 above a covered wooden bridge.
The story
In the 15th century a five-storey fortress called Hungrel Dzong stood on this crag. Its lords offered it to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who laid the foundations of the present dzong in 1644 and consecrated it in 1646. A fire in 1907 destroyed most of it, but its great thongdrel, a huge religious painting on cloth, was saved.
Look for
At the Paro Tshechu in spring, the thongdrel is unrolled before dawn on the last day. The covered bridge below, Nyamai Zam, is a rebuilt one: the old bridge washed away in a flood in 1969. Scenes of the film Little Buddha (1993) were shot here.
Before you go
Walk down from the National Museum to the dzong, then on to the bridge, and have the car meet you at the river.
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.