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Samdrup Jongkhar is located in the southeastern part of Bhutan, which has a small town and a beautiful hill station that is elevated at a range of 3500 m. It is known to be the oldest town in Bhutan. Coal mining is the primary source of livelihood in this town. It is a lesser-known place with very few tourists, which is very calming and ideal to enjoy and have a good time. Visiting this place is the best decision to explore the beauty of this town and have some amazing experiences.
Quick Details About Samdrup Jongkhar
Location: Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan
Dimensions: 1878 square kilometres
Elevation: 172 m
Best Time To Visit: May to March
Climate: Subtropical
Population: 35,079
Location
Photo: Franzfoto / Wikimedia Commons
It is located in the southeastern part of Bhutan, which is in the Samdrup Jongkhar district and also falls between the borders of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It also shares its border with India, which used to be a trading border town in Assam called Gudama. This place was also used by the British to enter the country from Sikkim.
How To Reach Samdrup Jongkhar
Photo: Keith Mason / Wikimedia Commons
By Air: The nearest airport to reach is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, which is in Assam and 110 km away.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to visit here is the Rangiya Junction in Rangia, which is a 90-minute drive away.
By Road: There is one bus daily that travels from Guwahati to Darranga, which is the border town near Samdrup Jongkhar. There are also private taxis and vehicles available to visit this place.
Things To Do In Samdrup Jongkhar
Here are a few things to do in this town and have an amazing trip experience:
1. Wildlife Viewing
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Wildlife viewing is one of the best things to do in this town, which is known for its diverse variety of flora and fauna with many rare animal and bird species like snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan red foxes, and many more. There are various sanctuaries, national parks, and breeding farms in this town that give the visitors an amazing experience to explore animal life.
Places To Visit: Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Royal Manas National Park, Mithun Breeding Farm
Best Time To Visit: September to February
2. Trekking
Photo: Krivec Ales / Pexels /Image For Representation Only
This town offers many trekking opportunities that are in the eastern valleys and also in the wildlife sanctuary. These trekking routes differ, like a short track for beginners and comparatively easier to very hard treks that are ideal for the advanced trekkers. These treks offer an amazing view of the beautiful landscapes of the mountains covered with clouds and a view of the rich flora and fauna of the entire village.
Places To Trek: Druth Path Trek, Salt Route Trek, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Time To Visit: March to May, September to November
3. Exploring The Temples
Photo: Indranii / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Exploring the temples is one of the best things to do here , as this place is known for its various temples and cultural heritage that offer a view of the Buddhist traditions along with the natural beauty. There are a few world-famous temples and also many other small temples and monasteries that are surrounded by rich flora and fauna and deeply rooted in the Buddhist faith.
Places To Visit: Mani Dunkhor, Zangtho Pelri, Bhairab Kund Shiv Mandir
Best Time To Visit: March to May
Places To Visit In Samdrup Jongkhar
Here are some famous places to visit in this town, offering an authentic and memorable experience:
1. Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong
Photo: Wangchuk SK / Wikimedia Commons
Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong is a newly built Dzong in the country that is built on strategic locations that are between the rivers and the top mountains. This Dzong is built on a flat surface and has a wide open area unlike other dzongs in the country. This Dzong is used as an administrative centre of the district, which has two Dungkhangs that are Jomo Sangkha and Samdrupcholing.
Location: Dzong Road, Bhutan
Timings: 9 AM – 5PM, closed on Saturdays and Sundays
2. Zangto Pelri Lhakhang
Photo: Afifa Afrin / Wikimedia Commons
Zangto Pelri Lhakhang is located at the centre of Phuentsholing. It is a Buddhist monastery with three floors that is the perfect example of the ancient architecture of Bhutan built in 1990 by Dasho Aku Tongmi. This monastery is a beautiful structure that has various statues of Buddhist gurus at a height of 4 m. It also has 8 life-size idols of different manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.
Location: V96M+P3W, Phuentsholing, Bhutan
Timings: 24*7
3. Dewathang
Photo: Franzfoto / Wikimdia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The name Dewathang literally translates to a flat area of happiness. This place is a very small village settlement that has not more than 360 households, which is a very peaceful place to visit and is the best place to experience the slow livelihood escaping the busy city life. This place is significant due to the historical events that are associated with the British rule in India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Location: Deothang, Bhutan
Best Time To Visit: March to May
4. Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
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Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous places that is located in the border district of Samdrup Jongkhar in Bhutan. This wild sanctuary is a form of a rich variety of ecosystems and landscapes of the eastern Himalayas. It is also recognised as a part of the UNESCO World Heritage and covers an area of 740 square kilometres. There are a wide variety of animals that are also very rare found in this wildlife sanctuary.
Location: 8W2X+CJR, Merak, Bhutan
Timings: 9 AM – 5PM, closed on Saturdays and Sundays
5. Hanuman Mandir
Photo: Anaviljaiswal / Wikimedia Commons
The Hanuman Mandir is located in NK Darranga. It is a beautiful Hindu temple that is in a sanctuary, with lush greenery that is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This temple is ideal for meditation, prayer and self-reflection. This temple is also known for its attractive architecture that is run by Bhutanese and Assamese devotees that influence diverse cultures.
Location: QGR3+RJV, N.K Darranga, Assam 781360
Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM and 3 PM – 9 PM
Where To Stay
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There are many hotels, lodges and resorts that provide all the necessary facilities for the visitors, like Wi-Fi, parking area, dining options, AC, laundry service, housekeeping, double beds, twin beds, complimentary breakfast, spa, shuttle services and many more. All these hotels are known to have amazing architecture to experience the best stay at affordable prices and in a hygienic environment. Some of these hotels are Menjong Hotel, Phuntso Khangsar Hotel, Damchen Riverside Resort, Zingham Cottages, Hotel Kisa and many more.
Where To Eat
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There are many restaurants available all around the town that offer delicious food. There are many must-try food items of the Bhutanese cuisine, which are a heaven to food lovers. These restaurants also provide various other cuisines with many options of vegetarian and non-vegetarian with beautiful surroundings, amazing ambience and reasonable prices. Some of these famous restaurants to try are PK Restaurant, Tshenum Vegetarian Hotel, Ji Yang Restaurant, TN Restaurant and Cafe, Hotel Zambala and many more.
Other Factors To Consider
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Average Cost Of The Trip
Taking into account the travel charges, accommodation, food and other activities to explore this town, on average, it can cost nearly Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 for the entire trip. The costs may vary depending on the duration of the stay.
Tips For Travellers
- Plan the transportation beforehand.
- Check the climate and carry suitable and comfortable clothing.
- Respect the local traditions and customs.
- Explore the famous tourist attractions.
- Carry water everywhere to avoid waterborne illnesses.
Samdrup Jongkhar, which is located in the southeastern part of Bhutan, is one of the most beautiful places that is a blend of rich culture and nature. This place is known for its rich flora and fauna with many historical temples and monasteries to explore. There are also many trekking areas for adventurous activities. To know more about this town and for further information, visit TripXL.
Cover Photo: Donvikro / Wikimedia Commons
