# The whitewashed National Memorial Chorten
AS unusual a
combination as this might sound, these were the top draws on a short day-trip
to capital Thimphu. One of the most
visited religious sites, the National
Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 in memory of “Bhutan’s late third king,
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The young and old alike come to spin the large prayer
wheels for hours on end, devotees encircling the whitewashed chorten, adorned
with elaborate statues and mandalas. A short walk behind the five-stars Taj
Tashi is the Craft Bazaar, selling Bhutan-made souvenirs, textiles, masks and
more, this the best place for getting souvenirs. Finish off with dinner at The
Zone, located along Hong Kong street. Sogyal’s mixed special pizzas, expertly
cooked yak burgers, and thick butterscotch milkshakes slurped down amidst a
cosy café-pub setting was the perfect way to end the night.
