Wangchulo Dzong

Situated at the entrance to the breathtaking Haa Valley, the magnificent Wangchulo Dzong greets tourists with its exquisite modern construction on a gentle slope that leads to the pristine Haa Chhu River, and peaceful ambience amidst the stunning emerald Himalayan Mountains of the Haa Valley. It sits between the valleys of Haa and Paro. Unlike other Dzongs of Bhutan which were built as defensive structures against invasion, the Wangchulo Dzong was built to be the administrative center of the Royal Government. According to a local legend, this Dzong was constructed to protect the people and their livestock from the evil influences of the 108 serpent deities that live around this area.

Established in 1915 to replace the smaller Dumcho Dzong that burned to the ground due to an accident in 1913, the Wangchulo Dzong was commissioned by Gongzim Ugyen Dorji, the grandfather of the royal grandmother Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuk, and it is considered to be one of the newest Dzongs of Bhutan. During the 1950’s, Bhutan handed over the Dzong to the Indian Military and the building now rests inside the massive Indian Army compound which also boasts an impressive two-legged khonying chorten marking the entrance. This wonderful structure bears a stark resemblance to the marvelous Wangdicholing palace in Bumthang, popular for being the seat of the first two Kings of Bhutan.