Paro

Linked to the high Himalayas of Tibet by the lingering trodden paths of ancient traders and pilgrims alike, the entire Paro Valley in which the town of the same name sits, is oft-hailed as one of the most picturesque in the entire nation. Jagged peaks frame it from the north, cloud-covered, tree-clad hills rise on all sides, and the gushing flow of the Paro River provides the endless natural backing track. As the home of Bhutan’s only international airport, it’s hardly surprising that Paro is on the rise, with new clusters of hotels and shops popping up around its old town core every year. But the charm stands firm, and visitors can still wander amidst the adobe-cum-timber homes that seem to juxtapose Alpine and Oriental in equal measure, or head to the monastery of Rinpung Dzong, a focal point of local Buddhist worship since the 15th century. A little away from the centre, and Paro tour guides lead visitors to the soaring temple tops of Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, perched precariously on a steep cliff above the Paro valley.