Where to go for your autumn adventure
Autumn travel is for colour, culture and smaller crowds – as these six destinations prove. When Britain’s summertime ebbs away to autumn,
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The beautiful Paro valley encompasses a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, the country’s only airport, and the National Museum. At 7,300-metres-high, Mount Chomolhari reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro river). The Paro valley is one of the Kingdom’s most fertile regions, producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its terraced fields.
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The beauty of Paro’s valley is embellished by a cluster of quaint farmhouses, which are very colourful, decorative and traditionally built without the use of a single nail. All farmhouses follow the same architectural pattern and a visit allows guests to learn about agrarian traditions and Bhutanese culture. Easily combined with other trips around Paro, a visit to one of these houses is a culturally enriching experience.
A rewarding experience when in Paro is a hike up to the Taktshang monastery. En route to the main viewpoint, enjoy stunning views of the monastery and surrounding landscape. Perched on the side of a cliff, 900 metres above the Paro valley floor, the monastery is often used as the promotional image of Bhutan. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, thus giving it its alternative name of 'Tiger's Nest'. This site is recognised as a sacred place and is visited by all Bhutanese people at least once in their lifetime. In 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but it has now been restored to its original splendour and is well worth the hike.
Take a full day to explore Paro’s Rinpung Dzong and its watchtower, or Ta Dzong. On a knoll that rises from the river’s edge, Rinpung Dzong has a commanding view of the Paro valley and is a true testament to Bhutanese architecture. Centuries ago, it was an impregnable fortress that repulsed successive invasions from Tibet and since then has also survived the 1897 earthquake. Today it houses the Paro monastic body and the office of the Dzongda (district commissioner). A guided walk around the many quarters and chambers offers an insight into the culture and secrets of this impressive Dzong. A visit during the last two days of Paro Tsechu are regarded as the best time to visit, and on the last day you can witness the raising of the impressive giant Thangka with pomp and festivity. The unfurling of the Thangka is done before sunrise, but is worth getting up for. The nearby Ta Dzong is a watchtower built to protect the Rinpung Dzong; renovated in 1968, today it houses the National Museum of Bhutan.
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