Trashigang

Trashigang Dzong.

Trashigang (also spelt 'Tashigang') is an administrative town of 4,500 people in Eastern Bhutan. The traditional architecture and narrow streets give the town a quaint and snug feel, not unlike an Italian or Cornish fishing village.

The nearby village of Kanglung is included in this article.

Understand

Trashigang is the largest town in the district, and serves as a convenient base for tourists venturing into the surrounding villages and mountains. It was once the centre of an important trade route with Tibet.

Kanglung is a village about a 30-minute drive from Trashigang. It is primarily known as the site of the government college, Sherabtse, which has a student population of around 1,300.

Get in

By plane

Yongphula Airport: Drukair ply the 45-minute Paro route every Tu, Th, and Su. However, due to the swift changing weather conditions at Yongphula, the airport has a high rate of flight cancellations, and so it is recommended to check flight updates before leaving for the airport.

By bus

From Thimphu there are two routes, both requiring two days:

• On the northern route, there are direct buses that make a night stop at Bumthang and pass through Mongar.
• The southern route starts in Phuentsholing and passes through the Indian states of West Bengal and Assam. From Samdrup Jongkhar, there are direct buses to Trashigang. It is a two-day journey, with buses departing from Phuentsholing at around 06:00. There are also direct buses from Thimphu to Samdrup Jongkhar, a journey of around 13-14 hours.

Get around

The small town can easily be covered on foot.

See

• 1 Trashigang Dzong. Built in 1659. Functions as the administrative headquarters of Trashigang district. Houses the local branch of the monastic body. (updated Sep 2024)
• The town's old bazaar area around the prayer wheel.

Do

Street scene

• Trashigang Tshechu. A colourful religious festival held annually in either November or December.

Eat

• Druk Deothjung Hotel offers local cuisine and some international dishes.

Drink

Coffee

• 1 Tashi Gaylek Bakery, Kanglung Lower Market (after driving past Sherabtse College from Trashigang through Kanglung), ☏ +975 17616411. In an area bereft of real coffee, Tashi Gaylek is an oasis. Excellent pastries. (updated Sep 2024)

Sleep

Mid-range

• 1 Druk Deothjung Hotel (in the town centre). A tourist standard hotel with clean, spacious rooms. Views over the town. Restaurant and bar. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 Lingkhar Lodge, Kanglung (midway between Trashigang and Yongphula Airport), ☏ +975 77116767. The closest tourist standard hotel to Yongphula Airport. Uninhibited views over rice paddies and mountains. Individual cabins. Bar and cafe. Outdoor seating. Friendly and helpful service. (updated Sep 2024)

Go next

• Bartsham and Bidung. Twin villages on facing mountain slopes. Chador Monastery in Bartsham is impressive and houses a revealed spiritual treasure. A 90 minute drive from Trashigang town.
• Khaling - a small town famous for its weaving center operated the National Women's Association of Bhutan.
• Pasaphu Village in Thrimshing district - famous for its handmade cane baskets and other cane products (ringshu).
• Rangjung - a quaint village about 16km from Trashigang. Home to Woesel Chokling Monastery.
• Sakten, in the northern most part of Trashigang district. A great area for trekking. Yak and dzo (female yak) are common in this area.