Thimphu
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223894001
2008-07-06T11:16:35Z
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'''Thimphu''' ({{bo|t=ཐིམ་ཕུག།|script=yes}}) is the [[capital]] of [[Bhutan]], and also the name of the surrounding valley and ''[[dzongkhag]]'', the [[Thimphu District]]. With a population of 98,676 (2005 PHCB), it is the largest population centre in the country. Thimphu is located at {{coor at dms|27|28|00|N|89|38|30|E|type:city}}, altitude of 2320m/7656ft.
== Overview ==
[[Image:Tashichoedzong-Bhutan-2001.JPG|left|thumb|240px|View of [[Tashichoedzong, Bhutan|Tashichoedzong]], Thimphu. The 17th century fortress-[[monastery#Buddhist monasteries|monastery]] on the northern edge of the city, has been the seat of [[Politics of Bhutan|Bhutan's government]] since 1952.]]
The city sprawls across the western slopes of the [[Wang Chhu River|Wang Chhu]] river valley, with a government quarter centred 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 buildings 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 commercial services and offices which provide for ever-growing local needs. The city is surrounded by forests which make the city look even greener. With on going construction for the 2008 celebrations of 100 years of Monarchy and Bhutan's transition to [[Parliamentary Democracy]], more and more construction is seen throughout Thimphu.
[[Dechenphu Temple|Dechenphu]], [[Tango Monastery|Tango]] and [[Cheri Monastery|Cheri]] monasteries, and [[Dechenchoeling Palace]], the official residence of the King, are located to the north of the city.
==Climate==
{{-}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" |Month
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jan
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Feb
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Mar
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Apr
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | May
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jun
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jul
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Aug
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Sep
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Oct
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Nov
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Dec
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Average high °C
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | 12,3
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 14,4
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" | 16,4
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 20
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 22,5
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 24,4
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 18,9
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 23,1
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" | 21,9
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 17,9
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 14,5
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" |Average low °C
| style="background: #80FFFF; color: black;" | -2,6
| style="background: #80FFFF; color: black;" | 0,6
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 3,9
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7,1
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 13,1
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 15,2
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13,4
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 15,8
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 15
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 10,4
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 5
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -1,1
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|''Source: [http://www.nirvanaexpeditions.com/temperature.htm]
|}
== Public transport ==
Thimphu is served by a 'City Bus' service which operates throughout the day. Plans have also been made to construct a light tram along the banks of the [[Wang Chhu]] that is both environment-friendly and efficient.
== 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 which can take in the capacity of both tourists and the locals is under constructed and is expected to be completed by June 2008.
Thimphu is the only [[capital|national capital]] in [[Asia]] that does not have [[traffic lights]]. When local authorities installed a set of lights, people complained that they were too impersonal. The authorities gave in, and took them down. Instead of traffic lights, the city takes pride in its traffic police that directs the oncoming traffic with their dance-like movement of their arms and hands.
[[Image:Memorial Chorten, Thimphu.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Memorial Chorten, Thimphu]]
The [[Memorial Chorten, Thimphu|Memorial Chorten]] dominates the skyline of Thimphu. This Chorten is dedicated to the Third [[Druk Gyalpo]](King), [[Jigme Dorji Wangchuck]] after his sudden death while travelling abroad. A great amount of renovation is taking place for the [[Bhutan 2008 Celebrations|2008 celebrations]] to mark the Century of the Monarchy in Bhutan.
The [[National Library of Bhutan| National Library]] (1967) built in the style of a traditional temple contains a large collection of religious books and manuscripts in Dzongkha and Classical Tibetan and a collection of English-language books. It also contains a copy of the [[largest published book]] in the world.
The [[Buddha Dordenma statue]], the largest [[Buddha statue]] in the world, is under construction on a mountain top called [[Kuensel Phodrang]], overlooking the city. The statue will be finished in 2008.
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 [[postage stamp|stamps]]. Old and expensive stamps are exhibited at the [[National Museum]] in [[Paro]].
The [[Clock Tower Square, Thimphu|Clock Tower Square]] is a recently renovated square surrounded by shops and restaurants. Fountains and traditional Bhutanese Mani Lhalhor (prayer wheels) make the place more comfortable. 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]].
== Museums ==
[[Image:National Library-Thimphu-Bhutan-2008 01 23.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[National Library of Bhutan]]]]
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 [[Kira (dress)|kira]]s and [[gho]]s (traditional Bhutanese dress, kira for women and gho for men).
[[The National Folk Heritage Museum]] displays traditional 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 are also Bhutanese dances and exhibits held in the Museum Compound.
[[Voluntary Artist's Studio, Thimphu| VAST]] ([[Voluntary Artist's Studio, Thimphu]]) located along Chang Lam is a busy place with after-school and weekend drawing and painting classes for youngsters conducted by volunteer artists. A gallery on the top floor exhibits a mixture of both traditional and contemporary works. There is also a small library and coffee shop where budding artists are encouraged to meet.
The [[National Institute of traditional Medicine]] has also a small museum on its premises.
Every monastery and temple in Thimphu is alive and well. These are some institutions where one can see how Buddhists pray and their daily routines.
== Institutions ==
Thimphu is the center for various educational institutions:
The city is the home for the office of the [[[[Royal University of Bhutan]]] (Commonly known as the [[RUB]]). Some of the member colleges of RUB which are also located in Thimphu are:
<li> The [[Bhutan Institute for Language and Cultural Studies| Institute for Language and Culture Studies]] (ILCS) provide training to undergraduate students in national language, culture and traditions of Bhutan.
<li> The [[National Institute of Traditional Medicine]] (Estb. 1988) contains an impressive, large laboratory and production 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 institute also researches the use of 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 its compounds.
<li>[Royal Institute of Health Sciences] (RIHS)provides training to nurses and technician.
<li>[Royal Institute of Management] (RIM) provides training in administrative and financial management to mid-level manager.
</li>
[[Image:Thimphu cinema.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Cinema in Thimphu]]
The [[Bhutan National Institute for Zorig Chusum|National Institute for Zorig Chusum]] is a training institute that trains students in the thirteen traditional arts known as the [[Zorig Chusum]]. Many visitors take time to look at the works and arts and even watch how a piece is made.
The [[Bhutan Royal Academy of Performing Arts|Royal Academy of Performing Arts]] (RAPA) is the home of the Royal Dance troupe.
== Thimphu Structure Plan ==
A new plan for the city, called the Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP)[http://www.dudh.gov.bt/Thimphustructural/Index.html] , was prepared and approved by the [[Bhutan's Council of Ministers|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 and the Great Master's Award 2007 for his contribution to architecture. In 2006 the British Society for Design made him the first Indian Architect to receive the Recognition of Excellence Award. In 2007 he became the sixth Indian Architect to win the Golden Architect Award for Life Time Achievement. He has recently won the Indian Institute of Architect's Award for the Best Institutional building in India (2006).
[[Image:Clock Tower square, Norzin Lam, Thimphu.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Clock Tower square, Norzin Lam, Thimphu]]
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 large land owners were and remain considerable. Participatory public consultations and meetings with Stakeholders were held, integrating the concerns of local inhabitants. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are funding the plan, which 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. The Structure Plan is noteworthy for its participatory approach in which there were city wide consultations and grass root meetings with the local land owners. The plan was given a dedicated web page by the government so that it could be downloaded in its entirety by anyone wishing to analyse it. Unlike many other such plans in the sub-continent, this plan is rapidly being implemented.
==See also==
*[[Punakha]] is the former capital of Bhutan.
== References ==
{{commonscat}}
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Thimphu Thimphu on Wikitravel]
* [http://www.tourism.gov.bt/ Department of Tourism, Bhutan]
* [http://www.raonline.ch/pages/bt/visin/bt_map03a.html City map] RAO online
* [http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/government/dzongkhags.php?dz_id=32 Thimphu Dzongkhag]
* [http://www.dop.gov.bt/fyp/09/Gasa.pdf Five year plan 2002-2007]
* [http://www.thimphuclassifieds.com The Thimphu Classifieds]
* [http://bhutan2008.blogspot.com/search/label/Thimphu Thimphu City Information and Pictures]
{{Asian capitals}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Bhutan]]
[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
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