At the sacred confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers stands Punakha Dzong, arguably Bhutan’s most magnificent architectural masterpiece. Known as “Palace of Great Happiness,” this 17th-century fortress served as Bhutan’s capital for over 300 years and remains the winter residence of the Je Khenpo, Bhutan’s chief abbot. The dzong’s strategic location protected the kingdom from Tibetan invasions while its stunning whitewashed walls and golden roofs create breathtaking reflections in the converging waters below. Every spring, the surrounding valleys burst into purple bloom as jacaranda trees frame this UNESCO World Heritage candidate site. Punakha Dzong isn’t just a tourist destination—it’s where Bhutan’s first and fourth kings were crowned, where the current king wed his queen, and where ancient traditions continue to shape modern Bhutanese life
