Jigme Dorji National Park, National park in northwestern Bhutan
Jigme Dorji National Park spans a vast area in northwestern Bhutan with landscapes that shift dramatically with elevation. The terrain transitions from subtropical forests and alpine meadows at lower elevations to glacial lakes and permanent ice fields at the highest peaks.
The park was established in 1974 and named after a former Bhutanese ruler. Ancient fortresses scattered throughout the area, such as Lingshi Dzong and Gasa Dzong, testify to the region's long-standing human presence.
Local communities living within the park boundaries follow traditional ways of farming and raising livestock that have been passed down for generations. This daily rhythm of rural life remains central to how people connect with the land they inhabit.
The park's varied terrain and elevation changes mean visitors encounter quite different conditions depending on which area they explore. Those planning longer walks or treks should prepare for changing weather and be ready to move between multiple climate zones.
The area is home to snow leopards, Bengal tigers, and other large predators that roam relatively undisturbed in their natural habitat. The region also shelters a distinctive wild ox species called the Bhutan takin, which is found nowhere else in such numbers.
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