Why to visit Punakha Suspension Bridge

Photographers visiting Punakha Dzong will be delighted by this picture-perfect bridge covered in prayer flags, which gives spectacular views of the river running below and lush green hills all around it, with the mesmerising Dzong in the foreground. A walk across this bridge is sure to get your heart racing. If you don't want to miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Bhutan, don't miss out on crossing this bridge. It is one of Bhutan's longest suspension bridges, measuring 160 metres in length. Punakha Town and Punakha Dzong are connected by this bridge.

The Punakha Dzong Suspension Bridge, which was designed to connect the villages of Shengana, Samdingkha, and Wangkha to the Wangchuk Kings' Palace, is an important element of Bhutan's architectural heritage. Because the Dzong is located at the confluence of the rivers Po Chu and Mo Chu, it is susceptible to flash floods generated by glacial lakes. It has been refurbished several times over the years, but it was once one of the eight bridges that acted as a forerunner to many of our modern suspension bridges. The hanging wooden deck of Gyalpo chain bridges was not included, making crossing the bridge a thrilling experience.

Punakha does not have its own airport. Visitors must travel by road from Thimphu to Dochula, which will take approximately 2 hours. Traveling from Paro, which is around 110 kilometres away, via Thimphu is an option. The magnificent Po Chu river and the spectacular suspension bridge may be found 5-7 kilometres north of Punakha. The Punakha Suspension Bridge is about a 0.5-kilometer walk from the vehicle lot and takes around 15 minutes to cross.

Special Tip

The best time to visit it is 9 AM in the morning. Bhutan's currency is the Ngultrum, but don't worry if you don't have any; the Rupee is commonly accepted across the country. Also, do not dump trash in the river.

By Atharva Yeshwardhan