• The National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Serzhong Lam. Tel:+975 2 324-647 - an excellent place to have any chronic ailments diagnosed and treated using herbal compounds. Ensure to keep the prescription. If the medicine is effective, you might want to order more in the future. Open 9AM-3PM Mon to Sat and 9AM-1PM on Sat.
• The National Library, Pedzoe Lam. Tel:+975 2 322-885 - houses a rare collection of Buddhist texts on the second floor, and there is a small selection of English books on Buddhism (mostly donated from Taiwan) and on Bhutan on the first floor. Open 9:30AM - 1PM & 2PM - 5PM Mon to Fri.
• Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Public Library, Top end Norzin Lam (left side). This small library has a good selection of English books, but appreciates donations of popular titles, especially those on Buddhism and Bhutan.
• Thimphu Drupchen (religious ceremony) 4-8 Oct 2008
• Thimphu Tshechu (religious festival) 9-11 Oct 2008
• Volunteer. Jangsa Animal Saving Trust, 1F. Kuenzang Complex (Next to Hotel Norling), Norzin Lam. Tel:975 2 323-949 or 325-157. [1] This trust is dedicated to saving the lives of animals destined for slaughter and takes care of hundreds of stray dogs picked up from urban areas. Anyone with time or resources are encouraged to contact the trust and offer assistance.

Monasteries are referred to by their Dzongkha title of lhakhang or gompa.

• The National Folk Heritage Museum, located behind the National Library. A traditional house that showcases rural life. Exhibits and cultural shows are held in the museum compound. Open: Mon-Fri 10:30AM to 4:30PM, Sa 10:30Am to 1PM and Su 11:30AM to 3:30PM. Entrance: 150nu.
• Changangkha Lhakhang. Constructed in the 15th century, this is one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu Valley, and is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist emanation of compassion. The temple affords wonderful views over the entire valley.
• The National Memorial Stupa - located off Jangchhub Lam - a good place to visit in the evening when the locals are doing their evening prayers. The stupa was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king.
• The Textile Museum, Norzin Lam, has a display of exquisite Bhutanese textiles from the 1600s to the present day.
• Trashi Chhoe Dzong. The present dzong was built in the 18th century by Shabdrung Rinpoche to house government officials. Later it was enlarged to accommodate both the monastic and civil bodies. Three times suffering severe damage from fire and once from an earthquake in 1897, much of the historic building dates from the rebuilding in 1902. To accommodate the national government and the central monastic body, the dzong was totally refurbished and enlarged in 1962, a year after Thimphu was designated the nation's capital.
• Zangthoperi Lhakhang, lower Thimphu (follow the path down from below the GPO). The present structure was built in 1960s and although lacking the charm of many of the older temples, Zangdopelri still possesses some impressive murals and art treasures and is worthy of a visit. The site of the temple was a former battle ground, and the temple was constructed there in order to pacify energies. Zangthoperi is also the location for the Thimphu lay Buddhist group meetings. Teachings are often given in English and visitors are welcome to attend. Saturday and Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings are the most active, though there are often meetings on other days. Dharma books donated to the library are extremely welcome.
• Takin Preserve, Motithang. The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan, and looks as if it were a cross between a cow and a goat. Legend has it that the animal was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley, and it can be found only in Bhutan and nearby areas. Taxonomists place the animal in a category of its own as it is not similar enough to any other animal to fit any established category.

By plane

Nearly all visitors arrive via plane from Paro, the country's sole airport, a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from the capital.

By bus

All inter-district buses arrive and depart from the city's bus station, located across the river from the city center. It is a six to seven hour drive from the border town of Phuentsholing.

The city center is small enough to negotiate on foot.

• Taxi: There is a set rate for taxis plying city routes. Maximum is around 50nu. There are taxis ranks on Norzin Lam (across from the cinema hall) and at the inter-district bus station. Taxis also cruise and can be hailed at any point.
• Bus. The city operates an efficient, albeit infrequent, public bus service connecting the down town with outer suburbs. The station for local buses is located just east of the the stadium on Chang Lam.

Bhutan's small population means demand for new and innovative goods is small. Basically, Thimphu has three kinds of stores: clothing, handicraft and hardware. Between these, there is a small assortment of stationary-cum-bookstores and supermarkets. Almost all stores stock the same goods, so if you can not find the required items in the first couple of stores it is generally useless to persist. However, what the city lacks in variety, it adequately substitutes with friendliness. As the store keeper informs you that the goods you want are not available and cannot be ordered, you will inevitably be facing a warm and friendly smile.

Handicrafts

• Yarkay Central. This shopping center located across from Hotel Norling on Norzin Lam has four good quality craft stores: Kelzang Handicrafts (Tel: 322-469) is the most commercial and sells a range of goods, including 'T' shirts; Druk Handicraft (Tel: 322-258) and Kurtue Handicrafts (Tel: 325-883) specialize in woven goods and Karchung (Tel: mobile 17607724) sells a small, but good quality range of art work and wood carvings.
• Blue Poppy Bhutanese (PO Box 1296. Tel:+975 2 326-752) is a handicraft store specializing in woven fabrics and paintings located in the Kawajangsa area of the city, near the indigenous medicine hospital. There are also other handicraft stores in that area - so if you are looking for souvenirs, it is a good place to visit.
• The weekend market in Chubachhu (across the river from the main town) has over 100 stalls selling hand woven cloth and other handicrafts.
• Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre, Changzamtog. A weaving center employing around 20 professional weavers. Showroom on top floor.
• Handicrafts Emporium, top end of Norzin Lam (right side). A government run craft shop with a wide range of goods. Set prices. Specialized selection of books on Buddhism and local subjects on second floor.
• Traditional Carpets. Yangkhil Home Decor, KMT Building, Norzin Lam (diagonally across from Taj Hotel). Tel:+975 2 336-247. Probably the best selection of hand woven carpets in town.

Books

• Book World in alley behind immigration office. A good selection of English books, especially on Bhutan and Buddhism. Tel:+975 2 328-539. E-mail:bookworld@druknet.bt
• DSB Books Enterprises in Jojo Building near Druk Hotel has a wide selection of books in English - novels and children's books are a specialty. PO Box 435, Thimphu. Tel:+975 2 326-275, 326-276. E-mail:dsb@druknet.bt
• Pekhang Books, next to cinema. Possibly the best selection of English books in town. Don't be put off by the small and unassuming entrance.

It is important to note that most restaurants (including those in hotels) in Thimphu stop serving food between 9PM and 9:30PM.

Budget

• MK Restaurant, Centrepoint Shopping Centre (next to the main cinema hall). Popular with Japanese and serves Bhutanese, India and Japanese dishes. Open until around 10-10:30PM.
• Hotel Tandin, Norzin Lam (restaurant on the first floor). Delicious Bhutanese and Indian dishes at very reasonable prices.
• Cypress Restaurant, Norzin Lam (second floor - opposite Taj Hotel). A simple restaurant serving Bhutanese and Indian dishes - huge helpings at reasonable prices.

Mid range

• Jampa, 2F., Peling Building (directly behind Hotel Norling). Tel:+975 2 327-506. A pure vegetarian restaurant. Excellent Indian, Taiwanese, European and Bhutanese dishes served with great service in a tranquil and elegant environment. Closed on Sundays.
• Swiss Bakery, Chorten Lam (above the traffic roundabout). Sells tasty sandwiches, pies and other baked items - but decor drab and uninteresting - best use as a take-out.
• Jichu Drakey Bakery, Doebum Lam (a two minute walk from the swimming pool in the direction of the Memorial Chorten). An excellent selection of cakes and pastries. Take-out only.
• Chopstick, 2nd floor, Centre Mall, Norzin Lam. Tel:+975 2 333-601. A small restaurant specializing in Chinese dishes.
• Conifers, 1F, Tashi Rabten Building (above Zangthoperi Shopping Complex), Phendey Lam. Tel: +975 2 332-000. A pleasant restaurant offering local and international cuisine.
• The Seasons Restaurant Pizzeria, Namsay Shopping Complex, Phenday Lam. Tel: +975 2 327-413. One of a few places in town that serve authentic pizza and Italian salads. Pizzeria also offers a good selection of filter coffees and has an outdoor patio.
• Jikss Trokhang, 5F., S.D. Plaza, Norzin Lam. Tel:+975 2 333-099. A cool place to chill out. Main dining hall offers a relaxing and cozy environment, while the bar-cum-cafe (across the hall) offers live music (mostly Bhutanese and Indian rock). Serves Indian and Bhutanese dishes.
• Druk Pizza, behind Bhutan Observer Building (also known as KMT Building) at the top end of Norzin Lam. Tel:+975 2 334-543. Good quality pizzas with small selection of milk shakes and hot beverages.
• R. Penjor Guest House, Norzin Lam (between Traffic Circle and Clock Tower). Tel:+975 2 325-578. The unattractive decor and lack of charm is more than compensated for by the innovative and delicious food prepared by the Chennai trained chef. The restaurant serves Bhutanese, European, Chinese and Indian cuisine. Service is fast and friendly.
• Hogdog, 2F, Karma Place (complex with bowling alley). Thimphu's first Western-style fast food joint. Wide range of hot dogs and fillings, including a vegetarian variety made from soya beans.

Bhutan is not a place for coffee lovers as most cafes only sell the instant variety. Seasons Restaurant Pizzeria (see eat section) probably has the best selection of ground coffees in town. Others are listed below.

• The Art Cafe, a block over from the main traffic circle, just below the Swiss Bakery. Tel:+975 2 327-933. A bright, airy and elegant cafe with courtyard. Serves simple and wholesome meals, though the delicious cakes and excellent filter coffee are the main draw.
• Khamsa Coffee, top floor, Cham Lam Plaza, Lower Thimphu. A smart cafe offering views over the surrounding mountains. Serves a variety of filter based coffees.
• Twilight Lounge, follow road down from Norzin Lam traffic circle. This bar-cum-karaoke is located in an alley on the left. A good place to meet young locals.