Paro valley has maintained its rural character, rice fields line the Paro river reaching up to the slopes of confining hills, painted houses with wood carved wide window frames glance from inclining fields protected by the Rinpung Dzong and the overlooking Ta Dzong, the former watch tower now housing the National Museum.
Passing huge Choertens the road from the airport coils into the town, founded only in 1985 together with the airport. The appearance rouses a slight remembrance of settlements in the Wild West. Traditionally built facades open to shops and stalls, offering a topsy-turvy diversity of goods bundled and put up partly outside or swallowed in dark interiors.
Further north the valley narrows, up a steep cliff the eye catches one of the most remarkable sights of Bhutan, the Tiger’s Nest, a 14th century monastery perched 3000m on a vertical rock. It was built in honor of Guru Rinpoche, who was said to have come here on the back of a tigress to medidate in a cave more than 2.000 years ago. Below the rock lies Kyichu Monastery, founded already by Songtsen Gampo, the first ruler of Tibet, therefore one of the oldest buddhist monastery in the country.
Where the road ends Drukgyel Dzong (victorious fortress) rises as a defiant ruin. Built in 1649 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to fend off invading Tibetans, it burned down to the bare walls due to an overturned butterlamp.
On clear days one can see the holy mountain Jhomolhari towering over the remains of the Dzong. The 7.300m high icecone borders Tibet and is home to Godess Jhomo.
Cheli La
A quite interesting excursion is a drive of 35km to 3.800m high Cheli La pass (the stated 4.000m on top of the pass are incorrect). It may also be a varied alternative route to Haa (26km down from the summit).
A relatively well maintained road passes through dense forest and offers excellent sights of Jhomolhari and surrounding peaks.
Add an alpine flora with "Edelweiss" carpeting the pastures, gentian and mountain anemones as well as grand views over Haa valley to round off the trip.
There is also a day trek from the pass down to Drukgyel Dzong.
