Paro is a charming town located in the heart of Paro Valley where you can experience the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. By staying at one of the best hotels in Paro and indulging with the local people and their culture you will be able to elevate the travelling experience. The sincere behaviour of the Bhutanese locals and the rich culture of the place is going to touch your heart.
The Paro valley is the widest valley of Bhutan which is the abode of many vibrant rice fields. This religious and beautiful town is filled with many attractive monasteries and temples. The only international airport of Bhutan is located in Paro which is situated near the famous tourist attractions.
With its rich cultural heritage, Paro offers a unique opportunity for the travellers to experience the local life. After visiting this place you can stay at one of the best hotels in Paro and try out some fun activities to experience a Bhutanese local lifestyle.
Consideration and respect towards the Bhutanese culture-
Bhutan is known for its vibrant culture and rich tradition. When you travel to Bhutan you must take extra care to respect and understand their way of life. By familiarising yourself with the Bhutanese traditions and culture at your Paro visit you can experience the place just like a local.
Bhutanese people follow the tradition of removing their shoes before entering any religious place or while entering other people’s homes. “Kuzuzangpo” is the most common form of greeting that the Bhutanese people follow.
You can greet the locals this way to win their hearts and pay the most respect to the elderly people as they are respected highly in Bhutanese society. You can follow these traditions to enrich the travelling experience and leave the place with a lasting memory.
Take part in a homestay experience- To experience the culture of Paro more intently you can choose a good homestay to stay at with the local families. You will get the opportunity to experience the daily life of Paro with first-hand experience. This opportunity will help you to experience the warmth and hospitality of the locals.
By sharing the same meal as the host of your homestay and taking part in the household chores you will get a more intimate experience and be able to form genuine connections with the locals and understand their way of life. You might even make some friends for a lifetime.
You also get to participate in their several traditional rituals and get a deep knowledge about the savouring of Bhutanese cuisines in a homestay.
Learn about Bhutanese art and craftsmanship-
You can visit various workshops and galleries to explore the rich artistic heritage of Paro showcasing Bhutanese traditional art forms. The art and craft of this country is known for its bold use of vibrant colours while paying deep attention to symmetry and details.
The homes and temples here are decorated with paintings of beautiful plants, deities and animals. Art here is viewed as a religious experience and you can often witness a monk making detailed mandala paintings or a garish mask being carved by a woodworker.
Bhutan is known to have 13 forms of art and craft while it is also known as Zorig Chusum which is also considered to lead to enlightenment.
Attend a religious ceremony- You can visit a temple or monastery in Paro to get a deeper understanding of Bhutanese spirituality. By observing the monks changing prayer and lighting lamps you give yourself a sense of peace and tranquillity. To respect the Bhutanese culture you can always dress modestly while visiting a monastery and always ask for permission before taking any kind of pictures.
The most beautiful and famous monastery to visit in Paro is the Tiger’s Nest or Paro Taktsang which also has a deep cultural and spiritual significance. Buddhist people from all around the world visit this monastery for a pilgrimage as it is considered to be the most sacred place in the entire country. The Bhutanese locals believe that by visiting this monastery it will help an individual to cleanse their soul and help them to reach enlightenment.
Enjoy Bhutanese cuisines- One of the major things that you must do while you visit Paro is to relish the local cuisines. If you are someone who loves street food then each road of Paro has some or the other delicious food items to offer to you. You will easily spot numerous vendors who are selling lip-smacking piping hot memos served with their specious bowls of soup.
This place is also filled with several fine dining restaurants where you can enjoy a more sophisticated menu. You can ask for recommendations from locals of Paro about the best food items to try. This will help you to enrich your experience. Some of the must-try food items in Paro include- Ema Datshi, Phaksha paa, Kewa Datshi, Shamu Datshi, Jaju and so on.
Visit the Paro Craft Market- You can visit the bustling market and local shops of Paro to enjoy the flavours of the crafts of this place. Although this place does not have any kind of designer boutiques or three-storey malls, the vibrant local shops will steal your shopaholic heart.
The locally made handicrafts here include lanterns, handbags, wall decorations and clothes which you can buy for decorating your home or take as a souvenir. These items will remind you about your Paro visit. You can also talk with some of the locals to get the best bargaining deals.
You can also strike up a conversation with the local vendors and shop owners who are always very eager to share their stories about the culture and tradition of the country.
Attend a festival or visit the festival ground- To learn about the vibrant culture of Paro you can attend a festival or Tshechu. In these festivals, the age-old traditions of the place come to life. You can also enjoy the various delicacies which are being sold at the time of these festivals to elevate your experience. The festivals here are held in the spring and winter season.
When no festivals are being held and you would like to witness some cultural performances, you can visit the Festival Ground of Paro and enjoy the traditional Bhutanese dances of the locals to the tune of beautiful music wearing vibrant traditional dresses. By watching these magnificent performances you get the opportunity to witness the rich customs, traditions and culture of the country.
Paro is a magnificent town in Bhutan with some attractive sightseeing places. You can stay at one of the comfortable Hotels in Paro and explore the place hassle-free. On your visit to this beautiful place, you can try out some of the activities that are mentioned above and get to enjoy your trip like the locals.
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