Evening at Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang
Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang stands in a small park a few minutes' walk from the Bhutan Gate. Its name refers to Zangdok Palri, the Copper-Coloured Mountain, the pure land of Guru Rinpoche. The three floors hold images connected with him and with other figures of the Nyingma and Drukpa traditions.
Go in the early evening when office workers and families walk clockwise around the temple and spin the large prayer wheels. Remove shoes and hats inside, do not photograph the altar rooms, and walk clockwise. It is a gentle first look at Bhutanese religious life before the big dzongs further north.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Is there an entry fee at Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang?
There has been no ticket for visitors in recent years, though you may leave a small offering at the altar. Some temples in Bhutan have introduced fees for tourists, and rules can change. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered and remove your shoes before entering the shrine rooms. Check current status before you travel.
Do I need a permit to visit Zangtho Pelri?
The temple is in Phuentsholing town, a few minutes from the gate, and visitors who stay within the town for the day have usually not needed a permit. If you are staying overnight you will already have your entry permit. Carry your ID in any case, as police may ask for it.
Can I take photographs inside the temple?
Photography is not allowed inside the shrine rooms of temples and dzongs in Bhutan. You can photograph the outside of the building, the garden and the prayer wheels. Ask before photographing people who are praying, and keep your voice low inside the compound.
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