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Paro, the second largest town in Bhutan
After a wonderful time in Punakha, Wangdue and Thimphu, we moved westwards to the city of Paro. Located along the banks of the Paro chhu in the lovely Paro valley, Paro has Bhutan’s only airport. It is situated about 7 km from Paro town, and that’s probably the only flat strip of land the country has.
Paro town, decorated because the country was celebrating 100 years of monarchy
As our bus descended into the valley, we saw houses with metal roofs and other signs of progress compared to Thimphu. I got into an argument with a guy who lamented the fact that natural building materials were being replaced by modern ones and that this trend is bad and that government should ban it. Well, I would personally prefer to live in a house with wooden or ‘natural’ roof. But who am I to judge others? I don’t live in Paro! If local people think that metal roof is better, cheaper, functional, etc., I trust them more than my wishful thinking of an idealist world.
I like the colorful decorations. Also the ubiquitous ‘STD-ISD-PCO’ signs
Getting there:
If you are flying into Bhutan (from India, Nepal, Bangladesh or Thailand), you will arrive at the Paro airport which is 15 minutes away from the town. If you are a non-Indian foreigner, the mandatory tour company will ‘take’ you from the airport itself (read more about this) so you don’t have to worry about anything. If you are Indian, you are on your own, unless you want to spend money on a tour operator right from day one (read more about this). Taxis are available outside the airport and you (Indians only) can choose to go to either Paro or Thimphu. For regions beyond, you need the ‘Special Areas Permit’ which can be obtained in Thimphu only. For non-Indian foreigners, the tour company will arrange everything.
I entered Bhutan by land (border with India) and went to Thimphu first to extend the travel permits. Paro is 53 km from the capital Thimphu and it takes about two hours by bus. There are a limited number of bus services available, leaving at 8:30 and 14:30 from either towns (Rs. 70). The other option is sharing a taxi (Rs. 150-200 or more depending on how well you bargain).
“Kiss a Tiger once in your lifetime.” √ check!
We rented a room in a hotel run by a Nepali guy. Very basic, clean and cheap – Rs. 400 ($8) for two, including heating. There was a bakery across the street and lots of restaurants nearby, very nice!
Paro has a grid-like planned structure (built in 1985) and is very spacious. There is not much to do in the town and most interesting places are scattered around the valley, as you will see over the next few posts.
Prayer wheel at the town center
The town square is marked by a tower-like Chhoeten Lhakhang and a large prayer wheel. I liked the idyllic pace of Paro, even on a weekday, it seemed empty and silent.
Paro city center
PS: I intend to speed up posting and wrap the Bhutan series in five weeks. If you are bored already, please let me know and I will accelerate even more! 
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You had “Kissing the tiger” in your list!! I wonder what else you want to do in your lifetime:)
Don’t speed up your posts…I like the pace you have now. Although…I wouldn’t mind reading about your trip to Russia. Have been waiting for a detailed report on that forever now!
Oh Vamsee, what I want to do in my life is a philosophical question and some day I might write a post on it. My alias ‘final transit’ might give you an idea but its might sound too cheesy… lol! Thanks for the encouragement, I too want to start posting on Russia as soon as possible!
Heh! French-kissing the tiger, eh?
The decorations on the building are very cool. Prayer wheel at the city center is beautiful.
Thanks Rajesh! Even Thimphu was beautifully decorated.
Hey Priyank that was fun post to read, very nice images and love the one with you kissing a tiger. Wow place was so cheap only 8 dollars, in place like that I think it was worth it a lot. BTW you still arguing with people, lol…..oh and before I forget, I like the prayer wheel! Boy there is lot of interesting stuff on the world, and I probably saw microscropic fraction of it. No not borred! Anna
Thanks very much Anna, your comments mean a lot.
8 dollars is still quite cheap for a 2 persons hotel room (usually it would cost $15.. lol), but it was low season so I guess we got a bargain. 
Not bored in the least , how can you be. Love your images, this is such a colorful place. Lol,”Kiss a tiger once in your lifetime, check”
Oh Thanks for the encouragement Bob! I guess I will keep this pace of posting. It will almost be time for your China trip by the time I finish Bhutan and start Russia!
Kissing the tiger!
Will try to arrange a pass for you to matoshree!
Nice post. beyond the usual
Thanks Gopal! Matoshree is now full of meowing cats, not roaring tigers!
You have on your list of things to do, to kiss a tiger? Interesting. I would want to see what else is in your list.
Philosophical question
Who/what else is in your kissing list?
I could feel the serenity of the place in the last photo.
Oi, that’s a secret! But the kissing list is not that long. But now a days I am only interested in long kisses, lol
I thought you have just seen Devdas!
The city looks very colourful, specially in the first pic.
p.s. I am not bored.
HAAHAHA! Yes that, and a famous fisherman’s song in Marathi about a girl called “Paro”
And thanks for the feedback, I wont rush but will continue with this steady pace.
Hi Priyank
Thanks for your photographs. I had been at paro twice in my life. And I feel paro is one of most beautiful city i had ever in life. I had a very poor quality camera when I was there. My memories gone fade as my photograph was. But thanks to you that you have restored it again.
Welcome to my blog Sandy, I’m glad that you liked the pictures.