Bhutan Tsenden Travel
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Known as the "Fortress on a Heap of Jewels," this massive structure is one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well-known dzongs. It serves as both a monastic body and the administrative center for the Paro district.
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<p>Originally built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Rinpung Dzong was constructed on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. Historically, it served as a vital bastion of defense, successfully repelling numerous Tibetan invasions throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. The dzong is famous for its towering exterior walls and its fine woodwork, which survived a major fire in 1907 and was meticulously restored.</p> <p><br /> The dzong is the site of the colorful Paro Tshechu, held annually in the spring, where a giant silk thangka (thongdrel) is unfurled at dawn. Visitors reach the dzong by crossing the traditional Nyamai Zam cantilever bridge, offering a classic Bhutanese view that has been featured in international films. Inside, the courtyards are filled with vibrant murals depicting the life of the Buddha and the legends of the Zhabdrung.</p>