Paro Taktsang
Taktsang Palphug Monastery more famous as Paro Taktsang is a Buddhist temple complex which clings to a cliff, 3120 meters above the sea level on the side of the upper Paro valley, Bhutan.
Mountainous Paro valley is the heart of Bhutan; here the only international airport of the country is located.
The Taktsang Palphug Monastery is one of the most famous touristic destinations of the country and the cultural icon of Bhutan.
Visiting the Paro Taktsang Monastery is an unforgettable experience thanks to its unique location and the views of surrounding majestic mountains and emerald green valleys.
The main peculiarity of the monastery is its isolated location. It is only accessible by mountainous paths.
The remote location of the monastery makes it amazingly beautiful and unique, but also creates technical difficulties.
When on April 19, 1998 a fire started in the Monastery it was burned down completely: the temple was hard to access and the emergency assistance was impossible.
No wonder, that when you are looking at the Taktsang Palphug monastery from Paro valley or from the bottom of the cliff, it seems almost impossible to reach the Monastery.
In fact, there are three paths leading to the holy place.
The first path is a trail passing through the pine forest and decorated with bright, prayer bannerettes symbolizing protection from evil forces, positive energy, vitality and good luck.
The other two paths are passing through the plateau, called "a hundred thousand fairies’ plateau."