Paro is a rich valley. One of Bhutan’s widest valleys, Paro is one of the more populated areas of in the country. Paro has a lot of attractions and requires a few days to be properly explored. Casting a shadow across the town of Paro and controlling secular and religious activities in the valley is the imposing but well proportioned Rinpung Dzong. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro and the office of the Dzongda (district chief).
Behind the Rinpung Dzong, on the high hillside is the circular Ta-Dzong. Once a watchtower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during wars of the 17th century, Ta- Dzong now houses Bhutan’s National Museum. Converted into a museum in 1967, the museum showcases many important historical artifacts.
For a Buddhist, Paro is a land blessed by Guru Rimpoche over one thousand years ago. Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave over looking Paro valley. The monastery built around this cave is now a sacred place of worship for all Buddhist.
Eighteen kilometers north from Paro are the ruins of Drugyal Dzong (victorious fortress). It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.