Country

Castles in Bhutan

14 landmarks in the Castle Map atlas — every one mapped with a photo and its story, 13 with sourced founding dates, ranked by Wikipedia coverage and real readership.

The most famous castle in Bhutan is Tashichho Dzong, ranked #1,188 of 9,079 in the world — followed by Punakha Dzong and Dechencholing Palace.

The Castle Map atlas charts 12 fortresses, 1 palace & château and 1 ruin in Bhutan. They span more than 7 centuries — from Tashichho Dzong (founded c. 1250) to Dechencholing Palace (1953). Every one is plotted with its photo and story on the interactive castle map of Bhutan.

Map of castles in Bhutan

On the map they cluster thickest around Thimphu — 11 within a 100 km day trip. The northernmost is Gasa Dzong, the southernmost Trashigang Dzong — about 190 km apart.

Planning a visit? Day-trip guides: Castles near Thimphu.

See them on the map →

When they were built

Of the 14 landmarks mapped in Bhutan, 13 carry a sourced founding date. Most were founded in the 17th century — 9 of them. 1 predates 1500 and 1 was built after 1700.

All 14 castles in Bhutan

Tashichho Dzong
Fortress · 13th century · #1 in Bhutan
Tashichho Dzong is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu in Bhutan, on the western bank of the Wang Chu.
Punakha Dzong
Fortress · 17th century · #2 in Bhutan
The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang, is the administrative centre of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan.
Dechencholing Palace
Palace & château · 20th century · #3 in Bhutan
Dechencholing Palace is located in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, 4 kilometres to the north of the Tashichho Dzong and 7 kilometres north of the…
Rinpung Dzong
Fortress · 17th century · #4 in Bhutan
Rinpung Dzong, sometimes referred to as Paro Dzong, is a large dzong - Buddhist monastery and fortress - of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school in…
Simtokha Dzong
Fortress · 17th century · #5 in Bhutan
Simtokha Dzong also known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang is a small dzong. It was built in 1628 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan.
Trongsa Dzong
Fortress · 17th century · #6 in Bhutan
Trongsa Dzong is the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan, located in Trongsa in Trongsa district, in the centre of the country.
Jakar Dzong
Fortress · 16th century · #7 in Bhutan
Jakar Dzong or Jakar Yugyal Dzong is the dzong or fortress of the Bumthang District in central Bhutan.
Gasa Dzong
Fortress · 17th century · #8 in Bhutan
Gasa Dzong or Gasa Tashi Thongmön Dzong near Gasa is the administrative center of Gasa Dzongkhag in the northwestern region of Bhutan.
Drukgyal Dzong
Ruin · 17th century · #9 in Bhutan
Drukgyal Dzong, also known as Drukgyel Dzong, is a fortress and Buddhist monastery, located in the upper part of the Paro District, Bhutan.
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Fortress · 17th century · #10 in Bhutan
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, also known as the Wangdi Dzong is a Buddhist monastery in Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan.
Trashigang Dzong
Fortress · 17th century · #11 in Bhutan
Trashigang Dzong is one of the largest dzong fortresses in Bhutan, located in Trashigang in Trashigang District of Bhutan.
Lhuentse Dzong
Fortress · #12 in Bhutan
Lhuentse Dzong is a dzong and Buddhist monastery in Lhuentse District in eastern Bhutan.
Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong
Fortress · 17th century · #13 in Bhutan
Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong, is an important Drukpa Kagyu monastery and administrative center situated at an altitude of 4150 metres in Lingzhi, Thimphu…
Dobji Dzong
Fortress · 16th century · #14 in Bhutan
Dobji Dzong is a dzong monastery in Bhutan, on a ridge on the national highway from Thimphu to Haa, Paro District, just a few kilometers south of the…

Frequently asked questions

How many castles are in Bhutan?

The Castle Map atlas maps 14 landmarks (12 fortresses · 1 palace & château · 1 ruin) in Bhutan — a curated selection of well-documented landmarks from Wikidata, not a count of every fortification ever built.

What is the most famous castle in Bhutan?

Tashichho Dzong, ranked #1,188 of 9,079 worldwide in the atlas's fame ranking, founded in the 13th century.

Where are most of the castles in Bhutan?

They cluster thickest around Thimphu — 11 of the atlas's landmarks within 100 km.