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Our SE Asia Tour 2013
Today we visited Trongsa Dzong, built in 1644, which is a spectacular sight being situated at a strategic location on a mountain spur high above the Mangde Chu (river). For centuries the Dzong controlled the east-west trade and the only road or path connecting east and west Bhutan passed through the courtyard of the Dzong. The Trongsa Penlop (governor) was so powerful that he could close off the massive doors of the Dzong cutting off all communication between eastern and western Bhutan. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of Bhutan's royal family. The first two hereditary kings ruled from this dzong and tradition still dictates that the crown prince serve as Trongsa Penlop before acceding to the throne.
On the hill above the Dzong is a watch tower called the Ta Dzong which has been converted to a National Museum. The watch tower was built to guard the main Dzong and to keep watch for possible invasions. The restoration was carried out by an Austrian team. The state of the art displays focus on Buddhist art and the history of the monarchy. The tour started with an audio visual presentation which was very informative. There are several floors displaying statuary and royal memorabilia.
Then it was a fairly long drive (3.5 hours) over 2 passes to Bumthang and the town of Jakar, then a further 7 km to our hotel.
On the hill above the Dzong is a watch tower called the Ta Dzong which has been converted to a National Museum. The watch tower was built to guard the main Dzong and to keep watch for possible invasions. The restoration was carried out by an Austrian team. The state of the art displays focus on Buddhist art and the history of the monarchy. The tour started with an audio visual presentation which was very informative. There are several floors displaying statuary and royal memorabilia.
Then it was a fairly long drive (3.5 hours) over 2 passes to Bumthang and the town of Jakar, then a further 7 km to our hotel.
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