Punakha Dzong, Buddhist monastery at Punakha valley, Bhutan

Punakha Dzong is a fortified monastery complex where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers converge in the Punakha valley of Bhutan. The whitewashed walls frame several courtyards lined with wooden balconies and gilded roof peaks.

Ngawang Namgyal founded the complex in 1637 as the seat of government for the newly unified Bhutan. It remained the center of administration until 1955, when the capital functions shifted to Thimphu.

The full name, Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang, means "the palace of great happiness or bliss"; it is not derived from the river confluence. Each year the dzong displays the chenma thoundral, a large thangka of the Zhabdrung donated by the desi, during its annual tshechu. The central monk body spends the winter here, and the 600 monks first installed by Ngawang Namgyal came from Cheri Gompa in the upper Thimphu valley.

Visitors cross a covered wooden bridge to reach the entrance. The winter months offer more opportunity to observe monastic life, as the monk community returns from Thimphu.

A chamber inside preserves the mummified remains of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, founder of unified Bhutan. Only the king and the Je Khenpo may enter this room.