Thimphu
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Thimphu (Tibetan script: ཐིམ་ཕུ་) is the capital of Bhutan, and also the name of the surrounding valley and dzongkhag, the Thimphu District. With a population of 50,000 (2003), it is the largest population centre in the country. Thimphu is located at . The name is sometimes seen Romanized as Thimbu.
Tashichoedzong, the fortress monastery on the northern edge of the city, built in the 17th century, has been the seat of Bhutan's government since 1952.
The city sprawls across the western slopes of the Wang Chhu river valley, with a government quarter centered on Tashichoedzong. Rapid expansion following the pattern of rural exodus has resulted in considerable rebuilding in the city centre and mushrooming suburban development elsewhere. Norzin Lam, the recently upgraded main thoroughfare, is lined with shops, restaurants, retail arcades and public buildings. Elsewhere, there is a mix of apartment blocks, small family homes and family-owned stores. By regulation, all are required to be designed in traditional style with Buddhist paintings and motifs. A lively weekend market near the river supplies meat, vegetables and tourist items. Most of the city's limited light industry is located south of the main bridge. Thimphu has a growing number of comercial services and offices that provids to the ever-growing local demand. The city is surronded by forests that makes the city look even greener. With on going constructions for the 2008 celebrations of the 100 years of the Monarchy and Bhutan's transition to Palimentary Democracy, more and more constructions are seen through out Thimphu.
Dechenphu, Tango and Cheri monasteries, and Dechenchoeling Palace, the official residence of the King, are located to the north of the city.
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[edit] Public Trasport.
Thimphu is served by 'City Bus' that operates throughout the day. Plans has also been made to construct a light tram along the banks of the thimphu chhu that is both environment-friendly and efficient.
[edit] Landmarks in Thimphu
Tashichoedzong hosts a colourful masked-dance festival (tsechhu) at the end of summer, which is popular with tourists. A new Tsechhu ground is said to be constructed that can take in the capicity of both tourists and the locals as well.
Thimphu is the only national capital in Asia, other than Phyŏngyang in North Korea, that does not have traffic lights. When local authorities installed a set of lights a few years ago, people complained that they were too impersonal. The authorities gave in, and took them down. Instead of traffic lights, the city takes pride in it's traffic police that directs the oncoming traffic with their dance-like movement of their arms and hands.
The Memorial Chorten dominates the skyline of Thimphu. This Chorten is decicated to the Third Druk Gyalpo(King), Jigme Dorji Wangchuck after his sudden death while traveling abroad. A great amount of renovation is taking place for the 2008 celebrations to mark the Centuray of the Monarch in Bhutan.
The National Library (1967) contains ancient traditional books and a collection of english-language books. It also contains one of the largest book in the world.
A large Buddha Statue(largest in the world) is under-construction which will be finished on 2008. It is going to be located on a mountain top called Kuensel Phodrang.
The National Post Office, along Chang lam,is an institute itself where famous Bhutanese export is seen and sold: the various stamps. Stamp collectors all over the world know that Bhutan is the first country to diversify and export quality stamps. Old and expensive stamps are exhibited at the National Museum in Paro.
The Clock Tower Square is a recently renovated square surronded by shops and restarunts. Fountains and traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor(prayer wheel) makes the place more comfertable. On one side, the luxurious Druk Hotel is situated. Various programmes and activities are held here. It was also the check point for the SAARC Car Rally.
[edit] Museums
Along the end of the Norzin Lam(Lam - road/street), Thimphu's own Textile Museum that displays various Bhutanese textiles that are extensive and rich in traditional culture. It also exhibits colourful and rare kiras and ghos(traditional Bhutanese dress, Kira for women and gho for Men)
The National Folk Heritage Museum displays traditonal Bhutanese ways of life in a traditional Bhutanese house. It is an interesting view in to Bhutanese culture and domestic lives of the Bhutanese. There is also Bhutanses Dances and exhibits that are held in the Museum Compound.
[[VAST ([Voluntary Artist Studio Thimphu])]] located along Chang Lam is a busy place with after-school and weekend classes in drawing and painting for young artists. The Art Gallery is on the top floor which exhibits a mixture of both traditional and contemporary works. A small Library and Coffee Shop where budding artists are encouraged to meet.
The National Instituse Of traditional Medicine has also a samll Museum on it's premises.
Every monastery and temples in Thimphu are well and alive. These are some institutions where one can see how Buddhists pray and their daily routins.
[edit] Instiutions
Thimphu is the center for various educational institutions:
The city is the home for the office of the Royal University Of Bhutan(Commanly known as RUB).
The Simtokha Institution is a school for 'Dzongkha' teachers and researchers.
The National Institute For Zorig Chusum is the painting school that trains students in Bhutanese traditionalarts through a six-year course whose aptitude is more artistic than academic. Many visitors take time to look at the works and arts and even watch how a piece is made.
The National Institue of Traditional Medicine (Estb. 1988) contains an impressive, large laboratory and producation facilities that ensures quality of the products, the components of which includes plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. The Institution produces traditional Bhutanese medicine towards the needs of the public. There is a day-care facility and clinic where doctors diagnose patients and prescribe appropriate medicines or treatments. The institutealso reserches the use or herbs and plants and has a plot(trial) on the premises. A small museum and a gift shop(where the famous herbal tea -Tsheringma- is produced) is also present in it's compounds.
Royal Acadmy of Performing Arts is the home of the Royal Dance troupe.
[edit] Thimphu Structure Plan
A new plan for the city, called the Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP)[1] , was prepared and approved by the Council of Ministers in 2003, and subsequently by the elected Thimphu Municipal Corporation, that is implementing the plan. The TSP was prepared by the well-known architect Christopher Charles Benninger, who won the American Institute of Architect's Award 2000 for his design of the United World College of India. Benninger however is also accused of unfairly obtaining contracts without tenders by doing favours for some of the cabinet ministers. A Royal Audit Authority audit memo accusing the contract of 'gross irregularities' and of being in 'gross violation of the government rules on tendering' was issued in 2003. (28 February 2004) "AG's Advisory Series". Royal Audit Authority III (I:2003): 5-6.
The TSP is directed at protecting the fragile ecology of the valley, including its rivers and forests. Considering the rapid growth of automobiles and pressure on the public health infrastructure in the town centre, restrictions on plot coverage and building heights were imposed. Critical to the plan are fifteen Urban Villages created through participatory land pooling, each having its own Village Square with amenities, garden, creche and an express bus link connected by the proposed Urban Corridor (under construction). The planning approach became widely known as the Principles of Intelligent Urbanism.
Challenges facing the TSP from affected land owners are considerable, but most objections to the plan have been so far ignored. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are funding the plan which the planners feel is visibly improving the city. Planners and urban managers from other countries are visiting the Kingdom to learn how an urban fabric can be well managed with limited funds. New consultants working on the implementation of the city plan are attempting to prepare a proper framework for working more closely with stakeholders but promises better hope that the plan's implementation may be possible.
[edit] References
- Outcry over improper outsourcing http://bhutansearch.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=349
