National Museum of Paro
Learn and understand the history of Bhutan with a visit to the National Museum of Paro.
The National Museum of Bhutan is one of the few educational institutions in the country that interpret Bhutan’s history and culture through its various exhibits, the conduct of symposiums, publication of research findings, and conservation of artefacts. The museum’s galleries will walk you through the country’s progress from the Stone Age to a modern Mahayanist Buddhist and multicultural kingdom with an intact cultural heritage. At the same time, it also promotes Bhutan’s 9 goals: Psychological Well-Being, Ecological Diversity and Resilience, Health, Education, Culture, Living Standard, Time Use and Balance, Community Vitality, and Good Governance. The National Museum will be hard to miss, considering that it is housed in an unusual conch shell-shaped structure with 2.5 metre thick walls.
Location
The National Museum of Paro is located in Paro, Bhutan, above the Rinpung Dzong.
Opening Days and Hours
The museum is open every day except on government holidays. Opening hours are 09:00 to 17:00 during the summer months of April to October, and 09:00 to 16:00 during the winter months of November to March. The museum is also closed for lunch from 13:00 to 14:00.
Entry Fee and Bookings
- Locals: BTN 10
- SAARC Country Citizens: BTN 25 (USD 0.37)
- Non-SAARC Country Citizens: BTN 150 (USD 2.24)
- Bhutanese Students: BTN 5 (USD 0.07)
- Monks, Nuns, and Children below 10: Free
How to Get There
- You can fly into Bhutan via the country’s sole international airport in Paro.
- From the Paro city centre, you can rent a car or motorbike and drive around 1 kilometre to the museum.
Suggested For
- Backpackers/solo travelers
- Couples
- Group of friends
- Families
Time to Spend
You can explore the museum in 2 to 3 hours.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
You can visit the museum any time of the day when it’s open.
Activities
You can visit the museum’s various exhibits, the most notable of which include:
- National History Gallery containing the 3D map of Bhutan
- Heritage Gallery, which contains a number of interesting items including a horn dedicated to Rinpoche and Mule eggs
- An exquisite array of Thangkas (traditional Bhutanese scroll paintings)
- A collection of festival masks featuring Bhutan’s kings, saints, and demons
Food
There are a number of restaurants located around a kilometre away from the museum, including Mountain Cafe, Brioche Cafe, Champaca Cafe, and Sonam Trophel Restaurant.
Nearby Attractions
- Rinpung Dzong
- Paro River
- Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest)
- Taktshang Palphug Monastery
Stay
The nearest hotels are located more than 2 kilometres away from the museum. Options include Pelri Cottages and Le Meridien Paro, Waterfront. Prices range from USD 48 to USD 249 per night.
Good to Know
Photos and videos are not allowed inside the museum and you have to leave your cameras in designated lockers at the entrance, although you can still take photos on the grounds. Food/picnics are also not allowed inside the premises. Also, ensure to walk around the museum in a clockwise manner.
