Walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang
The walk starts at Sopsokha on the Thimphu to Punakha road, near Lobesa. A path drops through the village, where house walls are painted with phalluses and shops sell carved wooden ones, then crosses terraced rice fields to the small temple on a mound. It takes about 20–30 minutes each way and is mostly level.
The temple, built in 1499, holds images of Drukpa Kunley and his dog. Couples hoping for children receive a blessing from a monk, and a book holds photographs and letters from families who say their wish was granted. The fields are green in summer and gold before the October harvest.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How long is the walk to Chimi Lhakhang?
About 20–30 minutes each way from the road at Sopsokha, along a mostly level path through the village and rice fields with a short climb to the temple. Allow 1.5 hours in all. Wear shoes with grip, as the path can be muddy after rain, and carry water in the warm months.
Why are phalluses painted on houses near Chimi Lhakhang?
They are linked to Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman, and are believed to ward off evil and gossip and bring fertility. You see them across rural Bhutan, but they are especially common in the village below Chimi Lhakhang, where shops also sell carved wooden versions as souvenirs.
Can couples get a fertility blessing at Chimi Lhakhang?
Yes. A monk blesses couples with a wooden phallus and a bow and arrow associated with the saint. Visitors from many countries come for this. It is a religious ritual, so approach it respectfully, ask your guide how to make an offering and follow the monk's directions.
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