Phuentsholing (also sometimes spelled Phuntsholing), the second largest town in Bhutan (population around 40,000), is on the Indian border, next to the town of Jaigaon.
Phuentsholing is the point of entry for travelers arriving by bus from Kolkata and Siliguri and the town functions primarily as a place where Bhutanese and Indians do business. The architecture is modern, and there is no dzong, famous monastery or in fact anything of particular interest to tourists. However, like all of Bhutan, it does offer a clean, pleasant and safe environment in which to go about your business. NB: Until 2005, it was possible for overseas visitors to enter the town without a Bhutanese visa. Except for Indian nationals, this is no longer possible. Indians are denied entry beyond the checkpost in the absence of a permit.
The tourist information office is located in the Bhutan Post Building. Tel: +975 5 251-393.
- Amo Chuu The Crocodile Breeding Centre on the banks of the river behind the bus station. The crocodiles are bred in order to be released in a nature reserve.
- The gate at the border (called Bhutan Gate) - not much to see, but it makes a good first photograph for your Bhutan photo album.
- Natural beauty of the surroundings.
- Chukha Hydrothermal Project.
- Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang This city centre temple represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. On ground floor there are statues of eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and paintings on Buddha's life while the next floor contains eight Bodhisattavas and statues of Avalokiteshvara and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. On top floor, there is a main statue of Amitabha.
- Karbandi Monastery. After an Indian pilgrim became pregnant after praying at this monastery to conceive, the temple has become a regular port of call for couples wishing for children. For those who do not have parental ambitions, the view from the monastery over Phuentsholing and the Bengal Plain is still worth making the trip. The monastery is located a short distance above the town. Take a cab up and walk back.
Amo Chuu The Crocodile Breeding Centre on the banks of the river behind the bus station. The crocodiles are bred in order to be released in a nature reserve.
The gate at the border (called Bhutan Gate) - not much to see, but it makes a good first photograph for your Bhutan photo album.
Natural beauty of the surroundings.
Chukha Hydrothermal Project.
Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang This city centre temple represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. On ground floor there are statues of eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and paintings on Buddha's life while the next floor contains eight Bodhisattavas and statues of Avalokiteshvara and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. On top floor, there is a main statue of Amitabha.
Karbandi Monastery. After an Indian pilgrim became pregnant after praying at this monastery to conceive, the temple has become a regular port of call for couples wishing for children. For those who do not have parental ambitions, the view from the monastery over Phuentsholing and the Bengal Plain is still worth making the trip. The monastery is located a short distance above the town. Take a cab up and walk back.
- Wander round the town and plan your journey in or out of the country.
- Phuentsholing does not have any handicraft gift shops, so do not leave your souvenir shopping until your departure from here.
- The town has a good selection of supermarkets, electrical and computer shops and a fresh vegetable market.
Being on the Indian border, the town has a great selection of Indian restaurants.
- Pastry Shop, +975 5 252246. Located in the Tashi Commercial Complex, this bakery offers a good selection of cakes and pastries.
- Hotel Galing, +975 5 252-387. Located across from Hotel Bhutan, Galing offers excellent Indian vegetarian cuisine at reasonable prices.
Pastry Shop, +975 5 252246. Located in the Tashi Commercial Complex, this bakery offers a good selection of cakes and pastries.
Hotel Galing, +975 5 252-387. Located across from Hotel Bhutan, Galing offers excellent Indian vegetarian cuisine at reasonable prices.
- Kizom Cafe, Main Town (Directly in front of the Zangtopelri Complex, + 77141616. 8AM-10PM. A standard variety of espresso based coffees, pastries, and pizza. Pleasant environment. Free wifi.
Kizom Cafe, Main Town (Directly in front of the Zangtopelri Complex, + 77141616. 8AM-10PM. A standard variety of espresso based coffees, pastries, and pizza. Pleasant environment. Free wifi.
The Bhutanese are generally very liberal consumers of alcohol. Small wonder then that alcohol is cheap and readily available in the innumerable bars of the town. One can choose from a range of Bhutanese brands of whiskeys, rums, brandies, gins, and a peculiar green concoction called sonfy which one would be wise to avoid. Two whiskey brands, Special Courier, and CSJ, made with Scottish malt,are actually quite pleasant. More internationally recognized brands of alcohol are also available at some of the more reputed watering holes such as the bars at Hotel Kuenga and at Hotel Druk-Bhutan, located in Dhamidhara, half a mile away from the din of the main town area.
- The area code for Phuentsholing is 05. When calling from overseas, dial +975 5 XXXXXX
- E-mail: Connections in Phuentsholing are not fast, but one of the better places is Phajoding located on the second floor on the main street leading from Bhutan Gate, across from the entrance to Hotel Druk. NB: International phone calls and internet service is much cheaper in India, so you might consider crossing over into Jaigaon to make your contacts.
The area code for Phuentsholing is 05. When calling from overseas, dial +975 5 XXXXXX
E-mail: Connections in Phuentsholing are not fast, but one of the better places is Phajoding located on the second floor on the main street leading from Bhutan Gate, across from the entrance to Hotel Druk. NB: International phone calls and internet service is much cheaper in India, so you might consider crossing over into [[Jaigaon]] to make your contacts.
In Bhutan:
- Paro - bus and shared taxi options
- Thimphu - buses every thirty minutes (around Nu240), shared taxis (around Nu600)
In India:
- Siliguri - buses at 7:30AM, 8AM and 3PM - a four hour journey
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[[Paro]] - bus and shared taxi options
[[Thimphu]] - buses every thirty minutes (around Nu240), shared taxis (around Nu600)
[[Siliguri]] - buses at 7:30AM, 8AM and 3PM - a four hour journey