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Clock Tower Square in Thimphu is located in the heart of the town, which is known to be an architectural marvel. This tower has four clock faces, which makes it different from any other structure in Bhutan. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions among the visitors, where people usually visit this place in the evening to enjoy the carvings and beautiful paintings. There are also many souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants near this town, making it one of the busiest places.
Quick Details About Clock Tower Square, Thimpu
Location: Clock Tower, Thimphu, Bhutan
Dimensions: Central Square
Elevation: 2,248 m
Architecture: traditional Bhutanese
Best Time To Visit: May – March and September – November
Location
Photo: Md. Aminul Hassan / Wikimedia Commons
Clock Tower Square is a square in Thimphu, Bhutan, which is one of the most famous towers located below Norzin Lam. It is situated about the national football stadium in the heart of the town, surrounded by various shopping centres, markets, food stalls, hotels and many more. It is located in the heart of the city, which is very famous among both the tourists and locals.
How To Reach Clock Tower Square, Thimpu
Photo: Doug Knuth / Wikimedia Commons
By Air: The nearest airport to reach the clock tower square in Thimphu is the Paro International Airport, which is 47.6 km away from the city.
By Rail: There is no direct railway station to visit the clock tower square, but the visitors can take the train to Baghdora and then a private taxi or vehicle to reach the place.
By Road: The nearest bus station is directly at the clock tower square in Thimphu making it the nearest as it is the central hub. There are also various taxis and cabs available from various parts of the city to reach this place.
Things To Do In Clock Tower Square, Thimpu
Here are a few things to do in the clock tower square in Thimphu, for an ultimate authentic experience:
1. Try Bhutanese Food
Photo: Orijit Chatterjee / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Trying Bhutanese cuisine is one of the best things to do in the Clock Tower Square in Thimphu. There are a few food outlets located around the clock tower square that provide delicious dishes of the Bhutanese cuisine at affordable prices. These restaurants serve the nationally famous and favorite Bhutanese dishes like Ema Datshi, momos, thukpa and various items with meat and vegetables.
Places To Eat: Food Tower Restaurant, Shambala Restaurant, Tower Cafe
Best Time To Visit: 9 AM – 8 PM
2. Explore The Views Of Thimphu Valley
Photo: David Broad / Wikimedia Commons
Exploring the beautiful views of the temple valley is one of the best things to do near the clock tower square that is situated in the western part of Bhutan. This valley is surrounded by Steve Hills with stunning views of the landscape by the Wang Chhu River. Exploring the place also offers amazing views of the modern infrastructure with a blend of traditional Bhutanese architecture of the famous tourist destinations in the town.
Viewpoints: Buddha Point, Sangaygang View Point, Dochula Pass
Best Time To Visit: March – May and September – November
3. Attend The Cultural Events
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
The clock tower square in Thimphu, which is one of the most vibrant places and a central hub of various cultural events, happens at the open-air amphitheater in the clock tower square. This place is located in the heart of the city, where many people frequently visit and organise various fundraising events, trade displays, live musical performances, movie award ceremonies and many cultural gatherings. There are also many traditional Bhutanese carvings and paintings to explore during these events.
Best Time To Visit: March – May
Places To Visit In And Around Clock Tower Square, Thimpu
Here are a few places to visit in and around the clock tower square in Thimphu for an exciting experience:
1. Thimphu Dzong
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Thimphu Dzong, known as Tashichho Dzong, is a Buddhist monastery and also a fortress located on the northern edge of Thimphu. This place has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi, who was the head of Bhutan’s civil government. This place was originally constructed in 1216 and underwent many reconstructions. This place now serves as a monastery and the central secretariat of the present government.
Location: FJRM+2VR, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM, closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Distance From Clock Tower Square: 0.6 km
2. Changangka Temple
Photo: Christopher J. Fynn / Wikimedia Commons
Changangka Temple is one of the most ancient temples located in Thimphu that was built in the 12th century and was chosen by the founder of the Drukpa lineage in Bhutan. It is a traditional Bhutanese monastery that has large prayer wheels that also have incredibly huge Tibetan texts and fine interior murals. This temple is also considered to be the spiritual form for the children who are born in the Chang Valley. Tamdrin is known to be the protected deity of this temple, which is located over the central Thimphu mountain ranges.
Location: FJFH+C9V, Changangkha Lhakhang Footpath, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Distance From Clock Tower Square: 2 km
3. National Textile Museum
Photo: Christopher J. Fynn / Wikimedia Commons
The National Textile Museum in Thimphu is one of the best places to visit to get a glance of the Bhutanese history in terms of clothes and textiles. There are many artefacts like wedding gowns worn by former kings and queens and the conventional nomadic textiles and many more displayed in this museum. This place is a storehouse of information and knowledge about the textile history of Bhutan with diversity in its style moving from one region to another in the entire country.
Location: Royal Textile Academy, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM, closed on Sundays
Distance From Clock Tower Square: 2.7 km
4. Dechen Phodrang Monastery
Photo: Stephen Shephard / Wikimedia Commons
Dechen Phodrang Monastery is a Buddhist monastery, which literally means a palace of great bliss, located in Thimphu in the northern part of the city. In 1971 this monastery became a school and currently it has 450 student monks with a staff of 15 people. This monastery also has various important historical Bhutanese artefacts that include the 12th-century paintings that are monitored by UNESCO and the statue of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and a central Sakyamuni Buddha.
Location: GJ2J+FX9, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
Distance From Clock Tower Square: 4.8 km
5. Dochula Pass
Photo: Arian Zwegers / Wikimedia Commons
Dochula Pass is a beautiful mountain pass located near the city of Thimphu in Bhutan. This beautiful mountain pass is a concentration of 108 memorial stupas that are known as Druk Wangyal Chortens. This place has a historical and religious importance, which is also famous among the tourists for its picture-perfect views of the snow-covered Himalayas.
Location: Dochula Pass, Dochula, Bhutan
Distance From Clock Tower Square: 21.8 km
Where To Stay
Photo: Christopher J. Fynn / Wikimedia Commons
There are many hotels and resorts that are available near the clock tower square in Thimphu that provide beautiful views of the scenery around the lush green mountains with various facilities like free parking, Wi-Fi laundry service, dining service, housekeeping, and clean surroundings, pet-friendly rooms, child-friendly activities, shuttle service and many more. Some of these famous hotels at reasonable prices near the Clock Tower Square in Thimphu are Hotel Thimphu City, Khamsum Inn, Hotel Samye, Hotel White Tara and many more.
Where To Eat
Photo: K8 / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
There are many restaurants and cafes located in the complex of the clock tower square in Thimphu that provide delicious Bhutanese cuisine dishes that are famous around the nation. There are also various other restaurants around the clock tower square that offer amazing ambience with a beautiful view of the mountain landscapes and provide delicious food of various other Asian cuisines at reasonable prices. Some of these famous restaurants are Tower Cafe, Food Tower, Ambient Cafe, The Zone, Zombala Restaurant and many more.
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Christopher Fynn / Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit the clock tower square in Thimphu is especially during the evening because it is more lively to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere with various cultural events. The best months to visit the clock tower square in Thimphu are between the months of September to November and March to May, which are the spring and fall seasons ideal for exploring many places around the city without much hassle about the climatic conditions.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Average Cost Of The Trip
Taking into account the accommodation, food, travel expenses and exploring various other activities, it costs nearly ₹ 50,000 for the entire trip. The prices may vary according to the duration of the stay.
The clock tower square in Thimphu, located in Bhutan, is a vibrant landmark in the central part of the city, which is a four-faced clock tower. This place is a hub for many tourists and locals to shop, relax and explore the city’s culture with various activities to do around and places to visit. So book your trip to see this renowned landmark in Bhutan with TripXL!
Cover Photo: Christopher J. Fynn / Wikimedia Commons
