The ancient north eastern region of Bhutan known as Lhuentse or Kurtoe is the ancestral home of the Wangchuck dynasty. It is one of the most isolated and undisturbed areas in Bhutan and is characterised by spectacular gorges and dense coniferous forests. Lhuenste is also renowned for its weavers and the unique textiles that are considered to be some of the best in the country. The famous textile fabric called ‘Kishuthara’ is from this region and likewise many other famous items like the ‘Ara’, the bhutanese wine made from fermented rice or maize is also very poplar here.
Some of the major attractions in this region are:
Lhuentse Dzong is a mighty fortress that is placed strategically on top of a hill overlooking the famous Kurichu river. Constructed by the the Trongsa Penlop, Chogyal Minjur Tempa, in the 17th century, the dzong is the current centre of government and religious administrations. The dzong houses many scared artefacts that day back to as early as the 16th century.
- Kilung Lhakhang
In the tiny village of Kilung, there lies a holy temple called the Kilung Lhakhang, which is located on a ridge. The village is inhabited by an ethnic group of people called the Tshanglas who are believed to have settled in this region in the 19th century. The most notable item that the temple houses is the sacred chain mail that as used to recapture a statue that flew away from the Lhuentse Dzong.
- Jangchubling Dzong
This monastery was founded in the 18th century by a famous icon, Pekar Gyatso. This monastery is well known for being the site where the daughter of our first king, Ashi Wangmo, lived as a nun dedicated to the Buddhist teachings.
Dungkar Nagtshang is the ancestral home of the Wangchuck Dynasty. It stands atop a mountain overlooking the tiny Dungkar village below. The Dungkar expedition that is organised here is an exciting journey into the mystical and historical past of the country.
The birthplace of the famous woven textile, Kishuthara, the village of Khoma is anything but unreal and magic. Standing amidst towering mountains, the women of this place are exceptionally talented in the art of weaving. Tourists visit this place for getting a close up insight on how the women work with traditional looms and integrate their skills and talents to form the Kishuthara.
Atop the Takila mountain, standing at 173 feet, the world’s tallest statue of Guru Padmasambhava, revered in Bhutan as the precious jewel, Guru Rinpche, stands imposingly overlooking the Tangmachu valley of Lhuentse district. The statue was built after the prophecy of the great Terton Lerab Lingpa (1856 – 1926), to ensure the continued prosperity and happiness of Bhutan and the world. The temple was built by the late Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche, who was a spiritual master to the 5th King of Bhutan.