Visit the Punakha Dzong
There are tons of breathtaking, impressive dzongs (རྫོང; fortress-monasteries found mainly in Bhutan and Tibet) dotted throughout Bhutan. Though we highly recommend them all, a standout is the Punakha Dzong. Its name translates to the “Palace of Great Happiness,” and is the finest of its kind in the country, dating from the seventeenth century and located on the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers.
Constructed by Ngawang Namgyal in 1638, it is the second-oldest dzong in Bhutan, was the seat of the Bhutanese government until 1955, and the place where the current king and queen were married. Visit on the weekend to combine Punakha Dzong with a trip to the Khuruthang Saturday Vegetable Market or Wangdue Market. Wander the stalls to get a glimpse into daily life and maybe haggle with locals for the best deal on locally-grown beans or a bag of chilli.