Buddha Dordenma (Kuensel Phodrang)

Bhutan

Seated serene and golden on a forested ridge, a fifty-metre Buddha gazes out over Thimphu, catching the sun so brightly it can be seen from across the valley.

Rising above the capital at Kuensel Phodrang, Buddha Dordenma is a colossal gilded bronze statue of Shakyamuni and one of the largest Buddha statues in the world at roughly 50 metres. Within its vast throne hall are housed over a hundred thousand smaller Buddha figures, each gilded and glinting in the quiet light. Approached through a wide plaza, the Great Buddha Dordenma offers sweeping views across Thimphu and the surrounding hills, the air cool and touched with incense. As one of the more serene places to visit in Thimphu, this Buddha statue Bhutan is a place for both photography and reflection. Among the essential things to do in Thimphu, it stands apart. Plan your visit via the official Bhutan Tourism portal: bhutan.travel.

March to May and September to November for clear skies, and late afternoon when the statue glows in the softening light.

Come towards sunset for the finest light over the valley and fewer crowds, dress modestly and remove footwear to enter the throne hall, and take a moment on the plaza to look back over Thimphu spread out below.

This attraction can be easily woven into BreakBag Holidays' customised Bhutan tour packages, pairing Buddha Dordenma with Thimphu's dzong, markets and hilltop viewpoints.

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