10 Best National Museums In Paro One Must Visit And Explore The Culture Heritage Of Bhutan!

23 Mar 2023

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Bhutan is a small, landlocked country that has numerous places to visit. If you are planning to visit Bhutan then you definitely need to prepare a list of all the places that are a must visit in Bhutan. Every year thousands of tourists from all corners of the world visit the land of Bhutan in order to dive into its beauty. One of the main attractions of Bhutan is Paro. Here at Paro, you can come across several museums that hold the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan.

10 Top National Museums in Paro

There are numerous museums and art galleries in Paro, Bhutan. Each of these museums is dedicated to something significant. If you wish to know the place and the culture of Bhutan closely then it is important for you to visit all the places that are mentioned below. We have prepared a list of the top 10 national museums in Paro that you definitely need to pay a visit so that you can learn about the rich history and the culture of the Bhutanese. Just so you know, the National Museum in Paro, Bhutan is the most important museum in Bhutan.

1. Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan

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This is where you get the chance of discovering the diversity and beauty of the living textile arts of Paro. Here you can explore the finest examples of embroidered, woven and appliqued textiles. In this textile museum, you can also witness the relevant production techniques. Not only that, but you can also watch embroiders and weavers at work at the weaving center of the royal textile academy.

Location: Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan, P.O. Box: 1551 Chubachu, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: Mon to Fri 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Sunday – closed)
Entry Fees: Free

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2. National Museum of Bhutan

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Established in the year 1968, the National Museum of Bhutan in Ta Dzong at Paro is home to more than 3000 masterpieces and artworks. These artworks are the fine example of 1500 years of the cultural heritage of Bhutan. The various disciplines of arts and crafts can be very well witnessed in these masterpieces. These artworks are the reflection of the Bhutanese creative traditions. Here in this museum, you can witness the eclectic mix of both past and present forms of art along with a glimpse of future artworks in Bhutan. The National Museum in Paro is a must visit for all the tourists.

Location: Tag-Dzong | Rinpung Dzong, Paro 12001, Bhutan
Timings: Everyday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Entry Fees: Free

3. Folk Heritage Museum

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At the Folk Heritage Museum of Bhutan, you can get the glimpse of lifestyle, artifacts, and items which are created by the rural and village people of Bhutan. The museum also arranges for demonstrations of rural skills, traditions, customs and habits along with educational programmes for children, documentation, and research on the life of the rural people in Bhutan.

Location: Thimphu 11001, Bhutan
Timings: Everyday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Entry Fees: For SAARC Nationals- 30 Nu and for Foreign Nationals- 150 Nu

4. Ta Dzong Museum

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Ta Dzong is known to serve as a watchtower for over centuries. This five storied building has 11 galleries. Each of the galleries is dedicated to a specific category of display of items. One of the galleries is dedicated to the Wangchuck dynasty. One of the other galleries is dedicated to the significance and history of the Trongsa Chhoetse Dzong. You can also witness some of the important items on display which include the Namza and the crown of the first Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck. The 500-year-old robes of the Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk who is the founder of the Trongsa Dzong dynasty is a prized possession of the museum.

Location: Tag-Dzong | Rinpung Dzong, Paro 12001, Bhutan
Timings: Tue to Fri 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Sat 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Sun 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM and Monday closed
Entry Fees: 10 Nu for Locals, 5 Nu for Students, 50 Nu for tourist from SAARC, and 200 Nu for the Foreign Nationals

5. Institute Of Traditional Medicine Museum

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The institute is known to collect traditional herbal and non-herbal forms of medicines from the different corners of the Bhutanese-Himalayan region. The main regions that are explored by the institute include Laya, Lingzhi and Lunana. Here at the museum, you can explore the various minerals, herbs and animal parts that are used by the Bhutanese people to heal. You can gain a lot of knowledge about the herbal and non-herbal medicines used in Bhutan by visiting this museum.

Location: Sherzhong Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: Mon to Fri 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sat – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and Sunday closed
Entry Fee: Free

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6. Ogyen Choling Palace Museum

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When visiting Bhutan you definitely need to visit this spectacular museum once. The museum is located in Tang valley in Bumthang and is known to hold great significance to both Tibetans and Bhutanese. The heirs of the Choling family decided to turn the palace into a museum in order to share their history with the world. By visiting this museum you can get a good insight into their heritage. People who have a natural inclination towards history is sure to love this place.

Location: Ogyen Choling, Tang, Bumthang, Jakar, Bhutan
Timings: Mon to Fri 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sat – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and Sunday closed
Entry Fee: 150 NU

7. Terton Gallery

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Located in the heart of Thimpu, this place is a must visit. The place is known to feature numerous artworks which include the works of actor Kelly Dorji. The gallery is also home to many of his antique Tibetan boxes along with other interesting lifestyle products. The museum stays open till 10 am to 7 pm in the evening.

Location: Wongzin Lam | 5th Floor, Zimchu Apartments, Thimphu 00975, Bhutan
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free

8. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s Residence Memorial House

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The museum is located just outside the Kyichu Lhakhang complex. The museum is dedicated to Dilgo Khyentse, who is the Tibetan Buddhist Rinpoche. He is known to have spent several years of his life here. the museum is home to a number of rinpoche’s photos and personal effects which include his sinus medication and palanquin. You can also get a look at his Mercedes along with his teaching throne that is laid on the ground. From this place, you can get a very good insight into the life of Dilgo Khyentse. This is one of the most important museums of Bhutan which you simply cannot afford to miss.

Location: Kyichu, Paro 12001, Bhutan

9. Bhutan Postal Museum

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Opened in the year 2015, this museum attracts several tourists from all over the world. here you can explore the evolution of transportation, communication and postal services in Bhutan’s history. People who are fond of studying the history of other cultures will find this place very interesting. The story is narrated with the help of various artifacts and anecdotes along with the rich assortments of stamps that are found in Bhutan for over the years now.

Location: Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: Mon to Fri 9:00 Am to 5:00 PM, Sat to Sun closed
Entry Fees: 50 Nu for Locals, 25 Nu for Students, 150 Nu for tourist from SAARC, and 250 Nu for the Foreign Nationals

10. Simply Bhutan Museum

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This is yet another museum in Bhutan that you cannot afford to miss. Here you can witness the traditional household culture of the Bhutanese people. if you are interested to get a glimpse into the life and culture of the Bhutan people then this is the place that you need to visit. Simply Bhutan is basically a photo studio and a living museum. It was established with the hope of promoting the culture of Bhutanese people.

Location: Genyen Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: Everyday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fees: 300 NU for SAARC tourists and $200 USD for foreigners

Further Read: 9 Soul-Satisfying Things To Do In Paro On Your Bhutan Getaway

So these are the top 10 national museums that you need to visit in Paro, Bhutan. These are the places from where you can gather a very good idea about the lifestyle, history, and culture of the Bhutanese. Out of all the museums the national museum in Paro, Bhutan is perhaps the most important one. If you are someone who enjoys exploring the past then the mentioned places are a must visit for you while you’re holidaying at Bhutan.