Phuentsholing

Understand

Phuentsholing serves primarily as a commercial hub for Bhutanese and Indians, and as a key entry point for Indian tourists arriving via train or flight to nearby Siliguri. With a population nearing 30,000, it is Bhutan’s second-largest city after Thimphu. While the town lacks historical landmarks or prominent tourist attractions, it shares Bhutan’s hallmark qualities of cleanliness and safety. Visitors will find a pleasant pedestrian zone around the centrally located Zangtopelri Temple. Notably, until the late 1950s, the town was known as Jaigaon-Bhutan.

Get in

thumb|Zangtopelri Temple in the heart of Phuentsholing

See

Amo Chuu - a Crocodile Breeding Centre on the banks of the river behind the bus station. The crocodiles are bred in order to be released in a nature reserve.

Chukha Hydrothermal Project.

Karbandi Monastery. After an Indian pilgrim became pregnant after praying at this monastery to conceive, the temple has become a regular port of call for couples wishing for children. For those who do not have parental ambitions, the view from the monastery over Phuentsholing and the Bengal Plain is still worth making the trip. The monastery is located a short distance above the town. Take a cab up and walk back. Zangthopelri Lhakhang This town centre temple represents the Copper Coloured Mountain, otherwise known as the pure land of Guru Rinpoche. On the ground floor there are statues of eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and paintings on Buddha's life while the next floor contains eight bodhisattavas and statues of Avalokiteshvara and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. On the top floor, there is a statue of Amitabha.

Do

thumb|Bhutan Gate Wander round the town and plan your journey in or out of the country.

Buy

Books Phuentsholing Book Store and Stationary, Garuda Complex, Gaotoen Lam. A small boobshore stocking mostly novels, with some Buddhist titles.

Handicrafts Ama Handicrafts, Gatoen Lam (turn to the left after exiting the immigration terminal. Ama is a one minute walk on the right). ☏ +975 17847895. Small handicraft shop. Yethra bags, purses, and trinkets. Anil Stores, Phuensum Lam, (across from Kizom Cafe). ☏ +975 17601105. Small selection of trinket-type souvenirs. Wallets and purses made from Bhutanese woven cloth. Tshela Handicrafts, next to Kizom Cafe. Items tending towards cheap souvenirs. Buddhist ritual utensils.

The town offers a wide range of electrical goods and computers from Bangkok, which are generally cheaper in Bhutan than in India. There are also a number of supermarkets that stock imported food items and a fresh vegetable and fruit market with local and Indian produce.

Eat

Being on the Indian border, the town has a great selection of Indian restaurants. However, like most of Bhutan, Phuentsholing starts late, and so travellers requiring an early breakfast (before 8:30-9AM), should cross into Jaigaon, where most restaurants open early.

Go next

Bhutan:

Jakar - The spiritual heart of Bhutan. First capital of the Wangchuck dynasty. Monasteries, dzong, sacred sites. 14-15 hours. Paro - Sacred sites, handicraft stores, international airport - bus (Dawa Transport: 9AM daily - Nu500 small A/C bus, Nu300 large non A/C) - 5 hours. Taxi options also available from taxi parking area. Thimphu - The bustling capital city, shopping, dzongs, - buses every thirty minutes in the morning and every hour in the afternoon - first and last bus, respectively 5:30AM and 4PM (Nu500). Taxis from the taxi parking area - shared: Nu800-900, reserved: Nu3,200-3,600. Five hours. (Update Nov 2024)

India:

Darjeeling - Former British hill station. A six hour journey. Direct buses and shared taxis from Jaigaon. Bodh Gaya - From November to March, pilgrimage tour buses ply the route to Bodh Gaya. Travel companies set up stalls in the town and in Jaigaon to promote their specific deals. Siliguri - A cosmopolitan city: Large shopping malls, Buddhist monasteries, international airport - buses (Khorlo/Dophu Transport +975 77870211) at 7:30AM (Eicher bus), 8AM (Coaster bus) 3PM (Coaster bus) - Nu350 - a four-hour journey. Taxis from Jaigaon - around ₹3,000-₹3,500.