Journal · Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong
The fortress at the north end of Thimphu. It holds the throne room and the King's office, and in summer the country's central monk body.
The story
The first fortress here was Do-Ngon Dzong, built in 1216 by the lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa, on the hill where Dechen Phodrang stands today. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal took it over in 1641 and renamed it Tashichho Dzong, the fortress of the glorious religion.
Fire destroyed most of it in 1772, and it was rebuilt on the valley floor where it stands now. When Thimphu became the capital, the Third King had it rebuilt again from 1962 to 1968 by master craftsmen working in the traditional way. Only the central tower and two temples survive from the older building.
What it is today
The south part holds the throne room, the King's office and government ministries. The north part is the summer home of the Je Khenpo, the chief abbot, and the central monk body, who move to Punakha for the winter.
Before you go
On weekdays visitors are usually let in only after the offices close, around 5 pm. At weekends it is open in the day. There is no published timetable, so your guide confirms. Wear long sleeves and a collar.
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.