📖 About Paro

Paro is a historic town in western Bhutan and home to the country's only international airport. With approximately 50,000 residents in the district, this picturesque valley serves as the gateway for most visitors to the "Land of the Thunder Dragon." The dramatic airport landing—threading between Himalayan peaks—is itself legendary among pilots and travelers.

The Paro Valley is one of Bhutan's most beautiful and historically significant regions. Rice paddies carpet the valley floor; traditional houses dot the hillsides. The iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang) clings to a cliff 900 meters above the valley. The massive Paro Dzong fortress-monastery dominates the town. Paro offers Bhutan's most accessible introduction to a kingdom that measures success by Gross National Happiness.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Paro's economy centers on tourism—the airport makes it every visitor's first stop. Hotels, restaurants, guides, and craft shops serve tourists. High-value, low-volume tourism is Bhutan's policy; daily fees ensure quality over quantity. Agriculture remains important—red rice is a specialty. Apple orchards produce local varieties. Government services and the airport employ many residents.

Bhutanese culture is deeply rooted in Vajrayana Buddhism. Dzongkha is the national language. Traditional dress (gho for men, kira for women) is required in official settings. Architecture follows traditional styles by law—no traffic lights exist in Bhutan. The culture prioritizes Gross National Happiness over GDP. Festivals (tshechus) feature masked dances honoring Guru Rinpoche. Food includes red rice, ema datshi (chili cheese), and momos. The culture is harmonious, spiritual, and deliberately preserved against modernization.

📜 History

The Paro Valley has been inhabited for millennia. Legend says Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) flew to Taktsang on a tigress in the 8th century, establishing Buddhism in Bhutan. The dzong was built in 1644 during unification under Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Bhutan remained isolated, never colonized. Paro's airport opened in 1968, connecting the kingdom to the world. Tourism began in 1974. The monarchy transitioned to constitutional democracy in 2008. Today Paro serves as Bhutan's welcoming face—the first and last glimpse of a kingdom that has chosen its own path, measuring success in happiness rather than wealth.