Places to visit in Trashiyangtse
Chorten Kora, woodcraft traditions and black-necked cranes in the far northeast.
7 places in this guide
About Trashiyangtse
Trashiyangtse lies in Bhutan’s far northeast, a quiet district of forested valleys, known for its woodturning tradition and for the great stupa of Chorten Kora. In winter, black-necked cranes come to the Bumdeling Valley.
- RegionEastern Bhutan
- Known forChorten Kora, woodcraft, Bumdeling cranes
- Combine withTrashigang, Lhuntse
Places to see
Chorten Kora
Chorten Kora is a large white stupa on the bank of the Kulong Chhu in Trashiyangtse town, built in the 18th century by Lama Ngawang Lodro. It is modelled on the great Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, and according to tradition the lama travelled to Nepal and carved a model of Boudhanath from a radish to bring back the design.
A local legend also tells of a young girl from Arunachal Pradesh who volunteered to be entombed within the stupa for the good of all beings. Each spring the stupa hosts two festivals of circumambulation, Dakpa Kora and Drukpa Kora, which draw pilgrims from eastern Bhutan and from the Dakpa communities across the border in Arunachal Pradesh. Walking around the stupa among the pilgrims is a moving experience.
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary protects a large area of forest, wetland and alpine country in the north of Trashiyangtse district, stretching towards the Tibetan border. It ranges from subtropical forest in the lower valleys to high mountain terrain, and supports a wide variety of wildlife.
The sanctuary is best known as the second wintering ground in Bhutan, after Phobjikha, for endangered black-necked cranes, which arrive from the Tibetan plateau in late autumn. Its forests are also home to species such as the red panda, and the area is rich in birds and butterflies. Visits involve guided walks in the Bumdeling valley, and local guides can explain conservation work that involves the communities living within the sanctuary. It is a peaceful, little-visited corner of Bhutan.
Trashiyangtse Dzong
Trashiyangtse Dzong is a relatively new dzong, built in the 1990s when Trashiyangtse became a district in its own right. It stands above the Kulong Chhu and serves as the administrative centre of the district and the home of a monastic community.
The older dzong of the area, Trashiyangtse’s former fortress, stands a few kilometres away and was once an important stop on the route between eastern Bhutan and Tibet. The new dzong follows traditional architectural principles, with whitewashed walls, carved woodwork and painted temples, and shows how dzong building continues as a living tradition. A visit can be combined with Chorten Kora and the nearby woodcraft institute, which together make a full and rewarding day in the town.
Rigsum Goenpa
Rigsum Goenpa is a temple on a forested hillside above the Bumdeling valley in Trashiyangtse district, reached on foot from the valley floor. Its name refers to the Rigsum Gonpo, the three great bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri and Vajrapani, who represent compassion, wisdom and power.
The original website describes the temple’s peaceful hilltop setting and its views over the valley, which in winter is home to black-necked cranes. The walk up takes a couple of hours through forest, and the temple is a quiet place visited mainly by local people. It makes a rewarding excursion for walkers combining a visit to Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary with some exercise. Ask your guide about the current condition of the trail and the time needed for the round trip.
Institute for Zorig Chusum (woodcraft)
Trashiyangtse is famous throughout Bhutan for its woodcraft, especially the turned wooden bowls known as dapa, used for serving food, and the small cups called phob. The town is home to a branch of the Institute for Zorig Chusum, a school dedicated to the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Students here train in woodturning, painting, sculpture and other crafts, and visitors can watch them at work with their teachers. Bowls are traditionally turned from maple burls and other hardwoods, and finished with natural lacquer, producing beautiful grain patterns. Local workshops sell bowls and other wooden items, which make meaningful and lasting souvenirs. A visit to the institute shows how Bhutan preserves its craft heritage while training a new generation of artisans.
Nature and community
Black-necked crane viewing
From late autumn to early spring, endangered black-necked cranes migrate from the Tibetan plateau to winter in the Bumdeling valley, one of only a few wintering sites in Bhutan. The original website suggests November to March as the season for viewing.
The cranes feed in the fields and marshes of the valley floor and roost in the river shallows, and watching them in this quiet, remote setting is a memorable experience. Local guides can explain their behaviour and the conservation efforts that involve farming communities in protecting their habitat. Visitors should keep a respectful distance and avoid disturbing the birds, especially at roosting sites. Bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, and allow time in the early morning or late afternoon when the cranes are most active.
Community-based cultural tours
The original website describes community-based tourism in Trashiyangtse, with village homestays, farming experiences and cultural exchanges in this remote eastern district.
Trashiyangtse’s villages keep strong traditions of farming, woodcraft and religious devotion, centred on Chorten Kora and the local temples. Spending time with a family, joining in daily work or learning about crafts such as woodturning and paper making offers an authentic and personal experience of eastern Bhutan, and brings income directly to rural households. Facilities are simple and arrangements depend on local families, so these experiences are planned individually. Tell us what interests you when you enquire, and we will explore the possibilities with our local contacts.
Visiting Trashiyangtse
None of our published itineraries include Trashiyangtse yet, but we can build it into a private journey. Ask us to include Trashiyangtse in your trip.
Festivals in Trashiyangtse
The two Chorten Kora festivals take place each spring at the stupa.
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