Brief
Punakha is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu and it takes about 3 hours by car from the capital Thimphu. Unlike Thimphu it is quite warm in winter and hot in summer. It is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level and rice is grown as the main crop along the river valleys of two main rivers of Bhutan, the Pho Chu and Mo Chu. Dzongkha is widely spoken in this district .

Reasons to visit
Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (chief abbot). Blessed with temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu river (male) and Mo Chu river (female). Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. There is splendid view of distant Himalayas at Do Chula Pass (3100 mtrs) from Thimpu – Punakha road.

Punakha Dzong  
Built strategically in the junction of Pho Chu river and Mo Chu river in 1637 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal to serve as religious and administrative center of the region. Damage by four catastrophic fires & earthquakes, the dzong has been fully restored by the present king. The dzong is open for visitors during the festival and in summer months when the monk body moves to Thimpu.

Talo Dzong     
Talo Dzong is famous for its tourist attraction because of its ancient architectural design and it is also associated with religious symbol of Bhutan.

Nidupchu Lhakhang   
Nidupchu Lhakhang is one of the oldest and holiest Lhakhang in Bhutan. It falls under the Chubu gewog.

Shopping
Handicrafts Emporium in Thimphu has the best range of handicraft products in town though the prices are somewhat higher than in the local market. Look for papier-mâché masks, prayer wheels, decorative motifs, silk-screened handmade paper, rings and ornaments for clothing, and woven wool or silk clothe.

Festive celebrations
Most of the festivals (tsechus) in Punakha have some or other connection with Buddhism. These festivals are celebrated in the Dzongs with dances, music, and religious allegorical plays. Some of the important festivals include Bhutanese New Year in January/February, Buddha Parinirvana and birthday of Guru Padmasambhava in May/June, first sermon of Buddha and Yar Nyidlok in June/July, Blessed Rainy Day, Thimphu Domchey, and Tsechhu, and Nine Evils' Day.Religious festivals (Tsechu) are important events and celebrated throughout the kingdom.