Changlimithang Archery Ground

Thimphu

LoginSave

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 targets over a distance of 145m, while their competitors pass comment on misses, and sing and dance to celebrate shots on target. Traditional bamboo or high-tech carbon-fibre compound bows are used, and a tournament is quite a spectacle, with lots of good-natured ribbing and camaraderie.

It's a miracle that more archers don't get injured considering how close they stand to the targets. An on-site shop sells traditional bamboo bows.

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

    15.69 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

    1.48 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

    13.71 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

    17.15 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

    2.74 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

    13.56 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

    0.42 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

    16.45 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. Changlimithang Stadium

0.13 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…

2. Goldsmiths Workshop

0.13 MILES

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

3. Coronation Park

0.15 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.

4. Traffic Circle

0.25 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…

5. National Memorial Chorten

0.28 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…

6. Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory

0.32 MILES

This small factory produces traditional Bhutanese paper handmade from the bark of the daphne bush. You can see the whole process, from soaking and boiling…

7. Zangto Pelri Lhakhang

0.33 MILES

Close to the Weekend Market, this modern chapel was built in the 1990s as a representation of Guru Rinpoche's celestial abode by Dasho Aku Tongmi, the…

8. Bhutan Thailand Friendship Park

0.34 MILES

This small public park is of note for its Thai-style pavilion and the Droma Lhakhang, a small chapel dedicated to Tara, enshrining a large prayer wheel.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "bhutan/thimphu/attractions/changlimithang-archery-ground/a/poi-sig/1536356/355838",
  "destination": "Thimphu",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Bhutan",
  "city": "Thimphu",
  "position": "superzone"
}