Between Paro and the Capital of Bhutan, Thimpu, the road takes you over the Dochula Pass (3140 m) with its 108 chortens. A chorten is a kind of stupa, often built at crossroads and passes to ward off evil. And all chortens contain religious relics.
The Druk Wangyal Khang Zhang Chortens are red-band or khangzang chortens, built in a central hillock at the pass, under the patronage of the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. In local language they are called ”chortens of victory”, because they were built as a memorial in honour of the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in the December 2003 battle against Assamese insurgents from India. It also marks the victory of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck who dislodged the rebels from their camps in Bhutanese territory.
This is a peaceful place for slow walks – contemplating life, feeling the fresh air and nature’s beauty.
Circumambulating clockwise.
When the sun comes shining through – my heart shines too.
The rhododendrons and magnolias touch the sky.
After the completion of the chortens, the temple known as the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang was built in June 2008 – as a memorial to celebrate 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.
From the Dochula Pass you will, on a clear day, have a panoramic view of the Himalayan range. The best time is in October/November, but we were still quite lucky this day.
On the far right you will find the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, Gangkar Puensum, 7564 meters. It is also the highest mountain in Bhutan.
Since 1994, climbing of mountains in Bhutan higher than 6,000 meters has been prohibited out of respect for local spiritual beliefs, and since 2003 mountaineering has been completely forbidden.
But somewhere, far away behind the treetops, these enigmatic giants are waiting…
Leya 
this is amazing
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Breathtaking vistas and serenity.
Yes – I guess you thought the same when you visited!
Wow! Mountaineering is forbidden by law? 😮 I hope no Slovenian goes there with the idea to break this law (because they would!).
Ha – you must stop them;-D I fear it would cost them…
Thank you for sharing your magnificent adventure! Great photos!
I am glad you enjoy it as well!
After recently seeing the debacle that Everest base camp has become, I can understand these people wanting some respect for their natural resources. How dare we go traipsing in with all our gear just because the mountain is tall and we wish to climb it? Gorgeous photos of the chortens, Ann-C.
Thank you for your comment, Amanda – I agree. How can we still, in modern times, just walk in and take things for granted. Shame on those who do.
I feel it is so disrespectful of the indigenous people’s rights. It seems almost like a mentality from colonial times where the West subjugated the ‘new’ worlds.
Yes – and I don’t think people realize that. They just do and take what they believe is rightfully theirs to use and take advantage of.
This is when education can play a role in shifting attitudes.
The more you tell us about this amazing place Leya the more I hope they can keep their serene way of life and not be taken over by any other countries.
I only wish that too – amazing country and people.
What an amazing place. The landscape, the buildings, the culture. I have always wanted to go to Bhutan, so I am thrilled by your photos.
Otto, I hope you will go there – it is more than you really can take in…more than you can imagine. And now – I am only making up plans to return there in the not to faraway future. I have to.
Oh, what wonderful sights, A C!
Sue, another dream come true.
You’re ticking them off the list!
Oh, I think I never had a list, really. But the two or three last years we have visited places I thought was beyond my possibilities to reach. I am very grateful. Bhutan holds a special place in my heart – forever.
Wonderful! I’m very pleased for you, A C. Sadly not a place I would dare go to know with my health….
Well, you might go if you stay away from the trekking and take it easy. We had a lady on our trip who fell ill and could only participate in some of the activities. She had had surgery some weeks before going, and I guess she should have stayed and not taken on this ordeal. But, Bhutan had been a dream of hers for so long, so she went anyway. Unfortunately I don’t think it was worth it for her – she missed out on too much.
Yes, maybe….but I still think that would be a risk too far with my immune system.
You know yourself best.
Beautiful photographs of what looks like an amazing place
Thank you – yes, amazing it was. Unbelievable really.
What a wondrous place, Ann-Christine. Loved your photos. 🙂
Thank you, my friend. I can still hardly believe I really was there. It will stay with me forever.
What a backdrop for those chortens! Such a beautiful place 🙂 🙂
I can only agree. I can still hardly believe I was there…
I understand why I have been seeing and reading so much about Bhutan. It is beautiful.
I can only agree. Surreal.
The chortens are lovely but don’t the Himalayas just take your breath away (even at a distance)!
The Himalayas – yes. My husband and I shared the same feeling. It fills your whole body and soul. Only once before we felt this as clear…and that was when we landed in Nepal in 1986.
Yes that was how I felt when I saw them in Nepal.
🙂
Vilken fantastisk plats att vandra runt på, så otroligt vackert, både byggnader och omgivande nature. Den sista bilden är bara så helt underbar, mäktigt!
Mäktigt var det. Nog den bästa beskrivningen.
You seem to had a beautiful visit to bhutan
It was – as beautiful at it can be. To me.