Haa is one of the smallest dzongkhags in the country and it is known for being the ancestral home of the Queen Grandmother. It remains as one of the most undisturbed places in Bhutan which makes it an ideal location for biking, hiking, trekking and camping. The name Haa implies being hidden, hence, the alternative name for Haa translates to Hidden Valley of Rice. The dzong of Haa is one of the newer dzongs built in the early 20th century and is open to tourists. You can also experience certain festivals and a famous delicacy in Haa, the “Haapi Hoentey”.
Some of the attractions in Haa Dzongkhag are as follows:
The Dzongdrakha Goemba is a small monastery perched on a cliff that is seldom visited. Dzongdrakha literally translates to ‘Fortress on a Cliff’. It holds the legend of being one of the sites where Guru Rinpoche battled with demons.
Lhakhang Nagpo (The Black Temple) and Lhakhang Karpo (The White Temple) are some of the oldest temples in the Haa Valley. According to the legend, the famous Tibetan king, Songsten Gampo, released two pigeons, one black and one white, to find auspicious sites for two temples to be built. Hence, Lhakhang Nagpo was built where the black pigeon landed and Lhakhang Karpo was built where the white pigeon landed.
- Yangthong Goemba
The Yangthong Goemba is a small monastery that is located in the upper regions of the Haa valley along the Saga La trekking route. The monastery is known for featuring murals that depict Zangto Pelri (Guru Rinpoche’s Paradise) and for the legend of mermaids inhabiting the pool outside the monastery.