Cities and regions／Bhutan
Place of interest ·

Punakha Dzong

Built in 1637–1638, Punakha Dzong stands at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. It remains a district administrative seat and the central monastic body’s winter residence.

Punakha Dzong beside the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.
Photo by Jean-Marie Hullot Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY 3.0
The place

What makes it special

  • Notice the courtyards and the complex’s close relationship with the water.
  • The dzong is on Bhutan’s World Heritage tentative list, not the list of inscribed sites.
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten above cultivated fields in the Punakha valley.
Photo by The original uploader was Technopilgrim at English Wikipedia. Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
Suspension bridge and walking trail beside the Mo Chhu in the Punakha valley.
Photo by xiquinhosilva Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY 4.0
Travel atlas

Articles in Punakha Dzong

Guides to this place

1 article

Punakha Dzong

journal.travel Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Punakha Dzong beside the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.

Punakha along the Mo Chhu to Khamsum Yulley

A day linking the dzong beside two rivers, a climb through cultivated fields and a temple best visited with time and respect.

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Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 27/09/2026