Thimphu

Thimphu

The capital and largest city of Bhutan, Thimphu is located in the west-central part of Bhutan, and the surrounding valley is one of the dzongkhags of Bhutan, the Thimphu District. In 1955, the ancient capital Punakha was replaced by Thimphu as the capital, and in 1961, Thimphu was declared the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan by the 3rd Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The city runs north-south along the western bank of the valley formed by the Wang Chhu River, which flows into India as the Raidāk River. Thimphu is the world's fifth highest capital, with an altitude of between 2,248 meters and 2,648 meters. As the political and economic center of Bhutan, Thimphu has a strong agricultural and livestock base. Tourism, while contributing to the economy, is strictly regulated, balancing tradition, development and modernization. In Thimphu, Bhutanese culture is fully represented in literature, religion, customs, national dress, monastic practices in monasteries, music and dance, and the media. Thimphu's traditional architectural monuments, like those in the rest of Bhutan, are monasteries, dzongs, chortens, gates, lhakhangs and royal palaces. In the urban agglomeration of Thimphu, Prayer Flags, Mani Walls and Prayer Wheels provide a conducive environment. Located in Thimphu, Motithang Takin Preserve is the wildlife reserve of the takin, Bhutan's national animal. The reason for the takin's designation as Bhutan's national animal on 25 November 2005 can be traced back to a legend that the animal was created in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley.