Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and is therefore the most populated district in the country, with about 60,000 people. You can easily spend several days in Thimphu visiting all the sights. Many of the sights in the main town can be reached on foot, which is a good way to absorb the culture and see the way of life for the Bhutanese people. As you stroll through the streets, you will notice that there is not a single traffic light in the town (nor in the entire country).

There are many attractions in and around Thimphu Valley, including museums, monasteries, temples, dzongs, a zoo, archery fields, restaurants, handicraft shops, the weekend market, the National Library, the School of Arts and Crafts, a traditional paper factory, a radio tower (which affords a gorgeous view of the valley), and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. Two interesting museums are the Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum . At the Textile Museum you will see a beautiful display of the garments worn by the Bhutanese from the 1600s up to the present. The Folk Heritage Museum lets you explore a traditional Bhutanese home and teaches you about the daily life of the rural folk.

The weekend market is a must, for it is there that you'll see the variety of food of the country, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and mangoes. You may also see some less-familiar produce, such as ferns. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. It's fun to wander the aisles, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the market.