Samdrup Jongkhar

The gate way to eastern Bhutan, Samdrup Jongkhar shares borders with the Indain State of Assam is the largest urban centre in the eastern Bhutan. Completed in the 1960’s the road from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkha enables the eastern half of the country to access and benefit from trade with the south as well as across the border of India as in the past where it was the main trading centre for the bhutanese. Samdrup Jongkhar is convenient exit town for the tourists who have arranged to visit the neighboring Indian State of Assam.

Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong:
The Dzong that serves as the administrative centre of the district is one of the newest Dzongs to have been built in the country. Unlike other Dzongs that are built on strategic locations, the Dzong is built on sprawling ground.

The Dratshang:
The newly built Dratshang next to the Dzong houses the monk body. It has many new novices looked after by the religious functionaries.

The Zangdopelri:
The three storied Zangdopelri in the heart of the town serves the spiritual needs of the locals. One may come across intricate frescoes and statues, work of the Bhutanese master craftsmen.

Dewathang:
Eighteen Kilometers from Samdrupjongkhar along the highway, Dewathang used to have the office of the Gyadrung , the administrator in the earlier times. It’s a site where in 1884; the last battle with the British was fought. Jigme Namgyal, the father of the first king, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk, who led the Bhutanese troops put up a strong resistance against the British though he ultimately signed the treaty of Sinchula with the British in 1865. The Mithun breeding farm in the east will be found in Orang, Mithns are raised there to have supplied in the farmers of six eastern Districts.

The Town:
It is a bustling small town with shopkeepers and hawkers from the nearby border of Assam. The town is one of the oldest in eastern Bhutan which have developed gradually over the years.