Merak and Sakteng
Highlights
- Highland villages of the semi-nomadic Brokpa
- Red pandas, snow leopards and the blue poppy
- 41 rhododendron species grow in these highlands
Merak and Sakteng are the highland villages of the Brokpa, semi-nomadic herders of yaks and cattle, about 68 km from Trashigang. Both lie in Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, whose 739 km² shelter red pandas, snow leopards and the blue poppy, and 41 of Bhutan's roughly 46 rhododendron species grow in these highlands.
Photo: Tridivadurjoy, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
More to see in Trashigang
Trashigang Dzong
Trashigang Dzong stands on a hilltop with cliffs on three sides, above the meeting of the Drangme Chhu and Gamri Chhu. The Trongsa Penlop Minjur Tenpa built it in 1659, and it was enlarged in 1680–1694 and again in 1936. Rifles left by Indian soldiers after the 1962 war are still kept in its armoury.
Rangjung Woesel Choeling Monastery
Rangjung Woesel Choeling Monastery stands at Rangjung on the Gamri Chhu, 16 km and about 45 minutes from Trashigang. Dungsey Garab Dorje Rinpoche founded it in 1989 to teach the Dudjom New Treasure lineage, and more than 300 monks and nuns now study there. One of its branches, a nunnery at Radhi, has a guesthouse.
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