Landmark of Thimphu City, Kuenselphodrang, statue of Lord Buddha

Buddha Dordenma

Thimphu

LoginSave

The huge 51m-tall steel statue of Buddha Dordenma commands the entry to the Thimphu valley. The massive three-storey base houses a large chapel full of thousands of donated Buddha statuettes, while the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. The chapel roof has some particularly fine mandalas. The Buddha looks amazing when illuminated at night. The area is called Changri Kuensel Phodrang after the former palace of the 13th Druk Desi that once stood here.

The statue was made in China, cut into pieces and then shipped and trucked in from Phuentsholing – we would've loved to have seen the faces of the local farmers as the super-sized features of the Buddha drove by! The paved road to the site, also known as 'Buddha Point', passes a new Hindu temple and is a popular biking route. A 3.5km mountain-bike trail branches off from just below the Buddha site to Depsi, near Babesa; in the other direction, you can continue as far as Pangri Zampa.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Punakha Dzong located at the junction of the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and Pho Chhu (Father River) in the Punakha Valley, Bhutan, Asia

    Punakha Dzong

    16.43 MILES

    Punakha Dzong is arguably the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring a lush sensuality to…

  • Trashi Chho Dzong

    Trashi Chho Dzong

    3.24 MILES

    This splendid dzong, north of the city on the west bank of the Wang Chhu, dominates the valley, looking out over a cascade of terraced fields. It's…

  • A local guide standing still while wearing a traditional clothing for men called Gho a knee length and kimono-like cloth held in place by a belt called Kera. Rinpung Dzong is an architectural feat housing a network of courtyards, temples and offices. Its full name is Rinche Pung Dzong which literally means Fortress on a Heap of Jewels.

    Paro Dzong

    13.68 MILES

    Paro Dzong ranks as a high point of Bhutanese architecture. The massive buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley,…

  • Taktshang Goemba(Tigers Nest Monastery), Bhutan, in a mountain cliff

    Taktshang Goemba

    17.64 MILES

    The 'Tiger's Nest Monastery' is one of the Himalaya's most incredible sights, miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the floor of…

  • Simtokha Dzong

    Simtokha Dzong

    1.54 MILES

    About 5km south of Thimphu on the old road to Paro and Phuentsholing, the handsomely proportioned Simtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang…

  • Watchtower Ta Dzong now houses the National Museum.

    National Museum

    13.55 MILES

    Perched above Paro Dzong is its ta dzong (watchtower), built in 1649 to protect the undefended dzong and renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum…

  • Masks on display at Handicraft Market

    Weekend Market

    2.18 MILES

    Thimphu's Weekend Market fills a maze-like pavilion on the west bank of the Wang Chhu, just north of Changlimithang Stadium. Vendors from throughout the…

  • Kyichu Lhakhang

    Kyichu Lhakhang

    16.58 MILES

    Kyichu Lhakhang is one of Bhutan's oldest and most beautiful temples. The main chapel has roots as far back as the 7th century, with additional buildings…

View more attractions

Nearby Thimphu attractions

1. Royal Botanical Garden

1.3 MILES

Above the Thimphu–Paro road at Serbithang, the Royal Botanical Garden is a little untidy but there are rock sculptures, water features, ornamental beds,…

2. Simtokha Dzong

1.54 MILES

About 5km south of Thimphu on the old road to Paro and Phuentsholing, the handsomely proportioned Simtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang…

3. National Memorial Chorten

1.65 MILES

This large chorten is one of the most visible landmarks in Thimphu, and for many Bhutanese it is the focus of daily worship. The Tibetan-style stupa was…

4. Goldsmiths Workshop

1.7 MILES

This government workshop, behind Thimphu's long-distance bus station, is a good place to see metalworkers producing repoussé work (with designs hammered…

5. Changlimithang Archery Ground

1.76 MILES

Most days of the week you'll find arrows flying at the city's most important archery ground, just down from Changlimithang Stadium. Teams compete to hit…

6. Coronation Park

1.87 MILES

This riverside park is a popular hang-out for local youths, with a large golden Standing Buddha statue, and views up and down the Wang Chhu.

7. Changlimithang Stadium

1.9 MILES

The national stadium occupies the site of the 1885 battle that helped establish the political supremacy of Ugyen Wangchuck, Bhutan's first king. There are…

8. Traffic Circle

1.97 MILES

Traffic police with gleaming white gloves perform robot moves to direct traffic at the main intersection downtown. It's worth pausing a while to watch the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "bhutan/thimphu/attractions/buddha-dordenma/a/poi-sig/1366186/355838",
  "destination": "Thimphu",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Bhutan",
  "city": "Thimphu",
  "position": "superzone"
}