At some distance outside of Punakha a huge Choerten rises on a hill overlooking the Mo valley. The 3-level Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Choerten topped by a dome, was consecrated in 1999 and provides an excellent view over the valley and sloping rice fields.
Several fires, earthquakes and flooding by a bursted glacial lake back in the mountains continuously caused grave destructions, however those have always been repaired in traditional mode.
The steep inclining stairs at the entrance could be hoisted and still today the heavy gate is always closed at night.
Contrary to to the usual two courtyards of other Dzongs the Punakha Dzong has 3 of them.
A temple at the southernmost courtyard contains the sealed caskets of Pema Lingpa and the Shabdrung, but there is no admission. At the southern end is the "hundred-pillar congregation hall" with exceptional wall paintings showing Buddha's life. The Dzong's most trasured relic however is the „Rangjung Kharsapani“, a self-created image of Chenresig, which the Shabdrung brought with him from Ralung Monastery when fleeing Tibet.
Each year the Punakha Dromchoe, a festival lasting several days, reminds the visitor of those events and the siege by Tibetans to recapture the image (see Tshechus and Dromchoe).
A 76km long road connects Thimphu with Punakha via the Dochu La, a 3.000m high pass offering a grand view over the Himalayas. Prayer flags float in the wind at the summit and the hill is clustered with 109 Choertens, errected not too long
ago in honor of the former king's mother.
The Shabdrung had the Dzong built in 1637 and transfered 600 monks from a monastery near Thimphu. The Je Khenpo, highest religious authority, still resides here.
