Trashi Yangtse
Trashi Yangtse is a small town rich in Bhutanese arts and legend. It is also a rapidly growing town and the administrative center for this district. It was carved out from Trashigang district in 1992 as a separate district. The district pushes up to into the north-east Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and elevations range from 1000m to 5000 m. Trashi Yangtse is famous for its handmade, lathed dapa wooden bowls and cups seen all over the country.
- Dongdi Dzong
Trashi Yangtse Dzong is accessible by road and is only 4km away from the main town. It was established in the 8th century by Gongkar Gyalpo, son of Lhasey Tsangma, a Tibetan Prince who sought refuge in Bhutan after his exile from his native country. In the 14th century it was reconstructed by Terton Pema Lingpa and named as Trashiyangtse Dzong. The current structure was renovated in the early 1990’s when the new district was created. Today it houses the monk body and a sacred relic is a statue of Avaloketeshvara that was offered as a relic or nangten by the deity of the river.
- Chorten Kora
Chorten Kora is one of the only two huge chortens in Bhutan done in the Nepalese “eye” style. Constructed near the river, it is based on the stupa of Bodhnath in Nepal and was built in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Loday. Each spring Chorten Kora is the site of one of the most famous festivals in Bhutan. Although quite remote, Chorten Kora Tshechu attracts not only the locals from eastern Bhutan but also attracts the people from Arunachal Pradesh.
- Institute of Zorig Chusum
The Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students study the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, is also worth a visit. The institute started a few years back and with support from the Government, trains many school drop outs in the arts and crafts under the watchful eye of its principal and highly respected teaching staff.
- Bomdeling
About three hour walk from Chorten Kora, Bomdeling is an annual migration place for black necked cranes, which fly over from nearby Tibet to pass the winter months in a warmer climate. It will be fascinating if you camp out a night here. This will enable you to have more time to explore the area.
- Rigsum Goemba
The Sacred temple was founded in the 18th century by Lam Tshering Gyatso, the disciple of Sakya Rinchen, the 9th Chief Abbot of Bhutan. Unlike other structures in eastern Bhutan, the wall is built with pounded mud, a style used in western Bhutan.
- Tshenkharla Dzong
Although we can see only the ruins of the Dzong, still then Tshenkharla Dzong gives the glimpse of the ancient Bhutan. It was built by the important person known as Lhasey Tsangma, a Tibetan Prince who sought refuge in Tshenkharla in the 8th century AD. He is regarded as the founder of many important clan systems in Bhutan that dominated the political scene till the mid 17th century.
- Gom Kora
24 km. from Trashigang, the temple of Gom Kora is set on a small alluvial plateau overlooking the Dangmechu river. Surrounded by rice fields and clumps of banana trees, it looks like an oasis in an arid landscape. It is one of the famous places where Guru Rinpoche meditated in order to subdue a demon which dwelt in a huge black rock. An annual tshechu held for three days in spring draws a lot of attraction with pilgrims coming as far as from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Do not miss Gom Kora festival.
- Duksum
The Duksum is a small weaver’s town located after Gom Kora, a drive towards Trashi Yangtse. The landmark of the town was the original iron chain suspension bridge built by Thangtong Gyalpo or Lama Hazampa in the 1600s. During the heavy monsoon season of 2004, three quarters of Duksum was destroyed and its famous iron bridge was brought down by floods. Since that time the pieces of bridge were gathered, brought to Paro Dzongkhag, and reconstructed over the Paro Chhu at Tamchhog Lhakhang.
