Phuentsholing

Phuentsholing is the entry to Bhutan, and it is a booming center on the Indian Plain's northern boundary of West Bengal. Phuentsholing, located in the Himalayan foothills, is a wonderful combination of Indian and Bhutanese, a perfect illustration of people and culture mixing. Phuentsholing, as a frontier town, provides a handy entry/exit point for Bhutanese and foreign visitors.

At an elevation of around 300 feet above sea level, it is one of the commercial hubs in Bhutan and quite close to the Indian town Jaigaon. Bhutan Tour Packages designed by North Bengal Guide let the travelers explore all the attractive places of Phuentsholing as well as its surrounding destinations.

Places to Visit in Phuentsholing List

• Bhutan Gate
• Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre
• Karbandi Monastery
• Zangto Pelri Lhakhang
• Phuentsholing Viewpoint
• Torsa River Side
• Phuentsholing Market

Places to Visit in Phuentsholing

Have a look at the best places to visit in Phuentsholing in detail so that you can explore them all during your trip.

Bhutan Gate

Bhutan Gate is the entry point to Bhutan and prior to entering the country; every visitor will like to see it. The gate, which is located next to the Regional Immigration Office, is stunning, with excellent woodwork and well-kept flower gardens in the immediate surroundings. The Shashastra Seema Bal (SSB) paramilitary force and Bhutan Police are stationed at the entrance and exit gates to ensure that vehicles pass in a timely manner and without unnecessary honking, which is a serious violation in Bhutan.

Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre

One of the best places to visit in Phuentsholing is undoubtedly the Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre. The Amo Chuu Crocodile Breeding Centre is located below Phuentsholing's bus terminal, along the bank of the Amo Chuu River. The Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Center is about a 10-minute walk from the bus stop. It was constructed in 1976 with only a few crocodiles. Apart from safeguarding endangered species, the Amo Chuu crocodile breeding center is currently assisting in the growth of tourism in Phuentsholing. Tourists can see two kinds of crocodiles at the breeding center: gharials and muggers, both of which are categorized as severely endangered by the International Union of Conservative Nature. In short, you will love exploring Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre for sure.

Karbandi Monastery

Karbandi Monastery in Phuentsholing is located at an elevation of 400 meters, 1 kilometer from Bhutan Gate. Karbandi Monastery, located above Bhutan's southern border town, was founded in 1967 by the royal grandmother Ashi Phuntsho Choedron. Karbandi Monastery, which is surrounded by a lush valley with luxuriant coniferous trees, has long been a popular tourist attraction due to its magnificent scenery, quiet environment, and legendary folklore. Karbandi Monastery, with its bright color, gleams over the emerald green forest, overlooking Phuentsholing town will truly bewitch the minds of any travelers.

Zangto Pelri Lhakhang

Zangto Pelri Lhakhang is another best place to visit in Phuentsholing. The Zangto or Zangdo Pelri Lhakhang is one of the best sites to visit in Phuentsholing for individuals seeking religious fervor or to witness Buddhist monks chanting hymns in the early morning. On the ground level, there is a replica of Guru Rinpoche, as well as eight various manifestations of life-size idols and paintings illustrating Buddha's life. On the first storey, there are eight Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara, and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal idols, as well as the main Amitabha idol on the top floor.

Phuentsholing Viewpoint

The Peeple Drangra or Phuntsholing viewpoint, which is almost at the same altitude as the Rinchending Goemba, is another attraction to see in Phuentsholing, Bhutan. On clear days, you can see the booming Phuentsholing town as well as the Bengal plains, which is best seen during the day. The Torsa River flows beside the hill, providing the ideal backdrop for photography. In short, this viewpoint is quite ideal to get a bewitching panoramic view of Phuentsholing town.

Torsa River Side

Torsa River Side, undoubtedly one of the nicest spots to explore near Phuentsholing, is easily accessible on foot during a morning stroll. On the track, vehicles are not permitted. The basketball court is located near the end of the walking trail. From here, you can view the village, the grassy hillocks, and the Torsa's two streams coming together, and you may also pitch a tent for the night. Close by are the Torsa Tea Gardens.

Phuentsholing Market

The Phuentsholing Market, which is a bit removed from the main town of Phuentsholing, is one of the greatest places to visit near Phuentsholing for shopaholics. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on home decor or bronze and brass idols at the main market, come to this no-frills market where you may buy basic items like food, both cooked and uncooked. Interact with the locals, buy seasonal fruits and vegetables, and be enchanted by the herbal incenses.

Things to Do in Phuentsholing

There are lots of things to do in Phuentsholing and as a tourist; you will love to try them all.

Visit Karbandi Monastery

One of the best things to do in Phuentsholing is to visit Karbandi Monastery. It is located at a height of 400 meters and from here; you will get a panoramic view of the city. There are beautiful gardens and lawns, as well as a small cafe. The temple contains big spectacular statues of Guru Rinpoche and other Gods, as well as eight Tibetan buddha stups that add to the visual appeal of the environment. Many Tibetans can be seen visiting and offering their prayers at the prayers that are held on a regular basis.

Go for Shopping

Phuentsholing is referred to as Bhutan's commercial hub or commerce center. However, if you are traveling from any major city in India or the world, you would be discouraged by the goods available in the Phuentsholing markets. The majority of the supermarket items are standard Indian items, although they are more expensive. The majority of the items are imported from India, Korea, China, and other countries. The Shopping Haul is still enjoyable if you keep to buying typical Bhutanese items such as shoes and sneakers, which are both sturdy and inexpensive. Then the women's Bhutanese traditional clothing Kira is a must-have.

Taste the Bhutanese Cuisine

Eating and tasting everything the city has to offer is one of the things to do in the city. Non-vegetarians would love it, and Bengali and Thai cuisines are very popular. However, I was able to locate two completely vegetarian eateries that served excellent meals. Then there are a couple of coffee cafes with a wide range of bakery items and coffee. Kizom Cafe deserves special notes. Bhutanese people enjoy drinking, thus among all the pricey items offered, the drink is plentiful and inexpensive. Drinks, cold drinks, and juices come in a variety of flavors, with Druk juices being particularly noteworthy. You can taste all of them with tour friends and family.

Wander around the City

It is unquestionably not a bad idea to wander around Phuentsholing on foot. You can park your car near the commercial district and explore the city on foot. Bhutanese rulers are known as the "people's king" because of their popularity among Bhutanese people. I saw pictures of the king and queen everywhere, even in modest sweet and vegetable shops. At petrol stations and large shopping malls, there were gigantic poster-sized cutouts. Natural beauty and vegetation can be found in various places.

Best Time to Visit Phuentsholing

Phuentsholing, the beautiful border town in Bhutan is worth exploring at any time of the year. However, from April to June, to be precise, during the spring season is the best time to visit the city because of the glorious weather. At this time of year, you may find a wide variety of flowers, and the temperature ranges from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. Autumn is also a great time to visit because the winds are mild and the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. The summer season in Phuentsholing lasts from June to August, and the area receives a lot of rain during this time. The temperature can reach 37 degrees Celsius, with the days being hotter than the evenings and mornings. The winter months from December to February at Phuentsholing are not an ideal time to visit because the winters are harsh and most of the flora is missing.

F.A.Q about Phuentsholing Tour