Paro District

{{Short description|District of Bhutan}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = Paro District | native_name = སྤ་རོ་རྫོང་ཁག། | native_name_lang =  | settlement_type = District | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption =Paro Dzong | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = Paro Bhutan location map.png | map_alt = | map_caption = Map of Paro District in Bhutan | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{Coord|27|30|N|89|20|E|region:BT-11_type:adm1st_scale:500000|display=title,inline}} | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Bhutan | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | seat_type = Headquarters | seat = Paro | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric   | area_footnotes = | area_urban_footnotes =  | area_rural_footnotes =  | area_metro_footnotes =  | area_magnitude =  | area_note = | area_water_percent = | area_rank = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank2_title =  | area_total_km2 = 1,293 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_urban_km2 = | area_rural_km2 = | area_metro_km2 = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank2_km2 =  | area_total_ha = | area_land_ha = | area_water_ha = | area_urban_ha = | area_rural_ha = | area_metro_ha = | area_blank1_ha = | area_blank2_ha =  | dunam_link =  | area_total_dunam = | area_land_dunam = | area_water_dunam = | area_urban_dunam = | area_rural_dunam = | area_metro_dunam = | area_blank1_dunam = | area_blank2_dunam = | length_km = | width_km = | dimensions_footnotes = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 46,316 | population_as_of = 2017 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | blank_name_sec2 = HDI (2019) | blank_info_sec2 = 0.722<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2018-09-13}}</ref><br/>{{color|#0c0|high}} · 2nd | timezone1 = BTT | utc_offset1 =+6 | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | iso_code = BT-11 | website = {{URL|www.paro.gov.bt}} | footnotes = }}

'''Paro District''' (Dzongkha: སྤ་རོ་རྫོང་ཁག།; Wylie: ''Spa-ro rdzong-khag'') is a district (''dzongkhag''), valley, river and town (population 20,000) in Bhutan. It is one of the most historic valleys in Bhutan. Both trade goods and invading Tibetans came over the pass at the head of the valley, giving Paro the closest cultural connection with Tibet of any Bhutanese district. The dominant language in Paro is Dzongkha, the national language.

The only international airport in Bhutan, Paro International Airport, is located in Paro District.

Paro District is bordered by Haa district to the west, Tibet to the north, Thimphu district to the east, and Chukha district to the south.

==Administrative divisions==

thumb|Map of Gewogs of Paro Dzongkhag

Paro District consists of ten village blocks (or ''gewogs''):<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/2011/finaldelimitation/Paro.pdf |title=Chiwogs in Paro |publisher=Election Commission, Government of Bhutan |year=2011 |access-date=28 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002184808/http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/2011/finaldelimitation/Paro.pdf |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Div col}} * Dokar Gewog * Dopshari Gewog * Doteng Gewog * Hungrel Gewog * Lamgong Gewog * Lungnyi Gewog * Naja Gewog * Shapa Gewog * Tsento Gewog * Wangchang Gewog {{Div col end}}

==Environment== Northern Paro District (the ''gewogs'' of Doteng and Tsento) contains part of Jigme Dorji National Park and the biological corridor connecting it to Torsa Strict Nature Reserve in neighboring Haa District.<ref name=BTF1>{{cite web |url=http://www.bhutantrustfund.bt/parks-of-bhutan |title=Parks of Bhutan |work=Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation online |publisher=Bhutan Trust Fund |access-date=26 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702041330/http://www.bhutantrustfund.bt/parks-of-bhutan |archive-date=2 July 2011 }}</ref>

A spiritual treasure lake known as Drakey Pangtsho said to be on the lap of Jowo Drake where Guru Rinpoche had hidden sacred treasures is in paro.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drakey Pangtsho, a Treasure Lake on the Lap of Jowo Drake |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/drakey-pangtsho-the-treasure-lake-of-guru-rinpoche-on-the-lap-of-jowo-drake/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Cultural sites== Important cultural sites of Paro include:

* Taktshang, or ''Tiger's Nest'', the most famous monastery and ancient highlights for the people of Bhutan. It was founded as a meditating cave by the famous saint Guru Padmasambhava in the early 8th century upon subjugating a demon and forcing him to take an oath to be the local protector of the region towards the very end.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paro Taktsang, the Sacred Place of Guru Rinpoche’s Enlightened Mind |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/paro-taktsang-tigers-nest-the-sacred-place-of-guru-rinpoches-enlightened-mind/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * Kyichu Lhakhang, which along with Jambay Lhakhang in central Bhutan is the oldest temple in Bhutan, dating to the 7th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kyichu Lhakhang, the Sacred Jewel of Bhutan |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/kyichu-lhakhang-the-sacred-jewel-of-bhutan/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jambay Lhakhang, one of the Oldest Temples in Bhutan founded in 659 CE |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/jambay-lhakhang-one-of-the-oldest-temples-in-bhutan-founded-in-659-ce/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * Drukgyel Dzong, at the upper end of the valley, built to protect against invading Tibetans, but in ruins since a fire in the 1950s. * Paro Town, the single market town in the dzonghag which is booming (by Bhutanese standards) due to an influx of tourist dollars. * Rinpung Dzong, also known as '''Paro Dzong''', the massive fortress/monastery which is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag. Scenes from the movie ''Little Buddha'' were filmed in and around this dzong. * The National Museum of Bhutan, where visitors can learn about the culture of Bhutan. * [https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/dzongdrakha-a-cliff-of-guru-rinpoche-from-where-a-relic-of-chorten-and-sangay-youelsum-was-discovered/ Dzongdrakha Goenpa] is a sacred cliff of Guru Rinpoche above the two villages of Bonday and Gyepjag under Paro Dzongkhag blessed during his second visit to Bhutan in 822 A.D from Tibet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dzongdrakha, a Cliff from where a Relic of Chorten and Sangay Youelsum was Discovered |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/dzongdrakha-a-cliff-of-guru-rinpoche-from-where-a-relic-of-chorten-and-sangay-youelsum-was-discovered/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * [https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/chumphu-hike-a-spiritual-hike-to-the-floating-statue-of-dorji-phagmo/ Chumophu Ney] is a meditation place of Guru Rinpoche in Paro where the famous floating statue of Dorji Phagmo is defying gravity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chumphu Ney, where the Floating Statue of Dorji Phagmo defies gravity |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/chumphu-hike-a-spiritual-hike-to-the-floating-statue-of-dorji-phagmo/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * [https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/dra-karpo-a-rock-that-guru-rinpoche-broke-and-took-out-an-evil-spirit/ Drakarpo] is a sacred cliff that Guru Rinpoche broke and took out an evil spirit in the 8th century. This holy cliff, also known as the mini-Taktsang.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dra karpo, a Rock that Guru Rinpoche broke and took out an Evil Spirit |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/dra-karpo-a-rock-that-guru-rinpoche-broke-and-took-out-an-evil-spirit/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * [https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/dop-ragoe-ney-the-destined-place-of-guru-sungjoen-brought-by-a-goat-and-a-vulture/ Ragoey Ney] is a sacred site blessed by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. The monastery houses a Guru Sungjoen Statue brought by a goat and a vulture from Punakha.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RaGoe Ney, the Destined Place of Guru Sungjoen brought by a Goat and a Vulture |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/dop-ragoe-ney-the-destined-place-of-guru-sungjoen-brought-by-a-goat-and-a-vulture/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * [https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/gom-dra-pelri-nyin-daai-drubkhang-the-golden-temple-of-bliss-and-emptiness/ Gom Drak] is one of the Four Cliffs of Guru Rinpoche entrusted to Phajo Drugom Zhigpo in his prophetic vision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gom Dra, the Great Meditation Cliff of Guru Rinpoche Prophesied to Phajo Drugom Zhigpo |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/gom-dra-pelri-nyin-daai-drubkhang-the-golden-temple-of-bliss-and-emptiness/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * Jomolhari is a sacred mountain where a meditation cave of Guru Rinpoche and Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal meditated before flying back to Tibet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jomolhari, where Guru Rinpoche Meditated before flying to Tibet |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/jomolhari-where-guru-rinpoche-meditated-in-a-cave-before-flying-to-tibet/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * [https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/namthong-karpo-where-mysterious-zuri-dzong-stands/ Namthong Karpo] is a sacred cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and subdued a sickle-faced demon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Namthong Karpo, where Mysterious Zuri Dzong Stands |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/namthong-karpo-where-mysterious-zuri-dzong-stands/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * [https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/bumdra-trek-the-trek-of-the-thousand-dakinis/ Bumdrak] monastery is a sacred cliff of Guru Rinpoche where Goddess of the Fairies left 100,000 footprints.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bumdrak Monastery, where Dakinis left 100,000 Footprints |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/bumdra-trek-the-trek-of-the-thousand-dakinis/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * [https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/hungrel-dzong-a-sacred-site-where-word-hung-of-the-buddhist-mantra-om-ah-hung-can-be-seen/ Hungrel Dzong] is a fortress built on the sacred site of Guru Rinpoche by Drung Drung Gyelchog in the 15th century. It was a five-story structure, built of compact mud, and resembled Namgyal Khangzang.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hungrel Dzong, a Fortress on the Holy site of Guru Rinpoche |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/hungrel-dzong-a-sacred-site-where-word-hung-of-the-buddhist-mantra-om-ah-hung-can-be-seen/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Economy== Druk Air, the national airline of Bhutan, has its headquarters in Paro.<ref>"[http://www.drukair.com.bt/contactus.php Contact Us]" . Druk Air. Retrieved on 8 October 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901185413/http://www.drukair.com.bt/contactus.php |date=September 1, 2009 }}</ref>

==Climate== {{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Paro, elevation {{convert|2406|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1996–2017 normals) |Jan record high C = 25.0 |Feb record high C = 24.5 |Mar record high C = 28.0 |Apr record high C = 29.0 |May record high C = 31.0 |Jun record high C = 30.0 |Jul record high C = 31.0 |Aug record high C = 32.0 |Sep record high C = 30.0 |Oct record high C = 27.0 |Nov record high C = 26.0 |Dec record high C = 23.0 |Jan record low C = -9.0 |Feb record low C = -6.5 |Mar record low C = -4.0 |Apr record low C = 0.0 |May record low C = 2.0 |Jun record low C = 5.8 |Jul record low C = 11.0 |Aug record low C = 10.0 |Sep record low C = 6.0 |Oct record low C = 0.0 |Nov record low C = -5.0 |Dec record low C = -9.0 |Jan high C = 13.2 |Feb high C = 15.0 |Mar high C = 17.9 |Apr high C = 20.6 |May high C = 22.7 |Jun high C = 24.6 |Jul high C = 25.0 |Aug high C = 24.9 |Sep high C = 23.3 |Oct high C = 20.7 |Nov high C = 16.9 |Dec high C = 14.6 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 6.2 |Feb mean C = 8.2 |Mar mean C = 11.1 |Apr mean C = 14.2 |May mean C = 17.0 |Jun mean C = 19.6 |Jul mean C = 20.6 |Aug mean C = 20.3 |Sep mean C = 18.8 |Oct mean C = 15.0 |Nov mean C = 10.8 |Dec mean C = 7.6 | year mean C = |Jan low C = -0.9 |Feb low C = 1.3 |Mar low C = 4.3 |Apr low C = 7.8 |May low C = 11.2 |Jun low C = 14.5 |Jul low C = 16.1 |Aug low C = 15.7 |Sep low C = 14.2 |Oct low C = 9.3 |Nov low C = 4.7 |Dec low C = 0.5 | year low C = |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 7.1 |Feb rain mm = 13.0 |Mar rain mm = 22.2 |Apr rain mm = 33.8 |May rain mm = 58.7 |Jun rain mm = 80.9 |Jul rain mm = 161.2 |Aug rain mm = 112.7 |Sep rain mm = 87.9 |Oct rain mm = 48.8 |Nov rain mm = 1.5 |Dec rain mm = 2.9 |year rain mm = |Jan rain days = 0.7 |Feb rain days = 2.1 |Mar rain days = 3.7 |Apr rain days = 6.4 |May rain days = 9.7 |Jun rain days = 12.5 |Jul rain days = 18.5 |Aug rain days = 17.4 |Sep rain days = 13.3 |Oct rain days = 4.3 |Nov rain days = 0.2 |Dec rain days = 0.5 |year rain days = | Jan humidity = 69.8 | Feb humidity = 67.7 | Mar humidity = 65.6 | Apr humidity = 66.5 | May humidity = 67.6 | Jun humidity = 70.6 | Jul humidity = 77.4 | Aug humidity = 76.7 | Sep humidity = 76.5 | Oct humidity = 70.0 | Nov humidity = 66.7 | Dec humidity = 69.0 | year humidity = |source 1 = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nchm.gov.bt/attachment/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Climate%20Data%20Book%20of%20Bhutan%2C%202018.pdf | title = Climate Data Book of Bhutan, 2018 | publisher = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology | accessdate = 18 February 2025}}</ref> |source 2 = World Meteorological Organization (rainy days 1996–2018)<ref> {{cite web|url = https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=1273|title = World Weather Information Service – Paro|publisher= World Meteorological Organization|access-date = 20 February 2025 }}</ref> }}

{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Betikha, Paro district, elevation {{convert|2660|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1996–2017 normals) |Jan high C = 10.8 |Feb high C = 11.4 |Mar high C = 13.8 |Apr high C = 15.8 |May high C = 17.7 |Jun high C = 19.7 |Jul high C = 20.3 |Aug high C = 20.5 |Sep high C = 19.7 |Oct high C = 17.7 |Nov high C = 14.9 |Dec high C = 12.5 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 5.1 |Feb mean C = 5.5 |Mar mean C = 8.4 |Apr mean C = 11.1 |May mean C = 13.4 |Jun mean C = 16.0 |Jul mean C = 17.0 |Aug mean C = 17.0 |Sep mean C = 15.7 |Oct mean C = 12.6 |Nov mean C = 9.2 |Dec mean C = 6.6 | year mean C = |Jan low C = -0.7 |Feb low C = -0.5 |Mar low C = 3.0 |Apr low C = 6.3 |May low C = 9.1 |Jun low C = 12.2 |Jul low C = 13.7 |Aug low C = 13.4 |Sep low C = 11.7 |Oct low C = 7.5 |Nov low C = 3.4 |Dec low C = 0.7 | year low C = |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 18.0 |Feb rain mm = 32.7 |Mar rain mm = 175.8 |Apr rain mm = 344.2 |May rain mm = 295.3 |Jun rain mm = 356.7 |Jul rain mm = 552.8 |Aug rain mm = 421.8 |Sep rain mm = 254.4 |Oct rain mm = 102.0 |Nov rain mm = 12.0 |Dec rain mm = 6.6 |year rain mm = | Jan humidity = 70.6 | Feb humidity = 70.3 | Mar humidity = 74.2 | Apr humidity = 74.8 | May humidity = 76.3 | Jun humidity = 82.2 | Jul humidity = 84.3 | Aug humidity = 83.9 | Sep humidity = 82.4 | Oct humidity = 77.7 | Nov humidity = 72.0 | Dec humidity = 66.6 | year humidity = |source 1 = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nchm.gov.bt/attachment/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Climate%20Data%20Book%20of%20Bhutan%2C%202018.pdf | title = Climate Data Book of Bhutan, 2018 | publisher = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology | accessdate = 18 February 2025}}</ref> }}

{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Drukyel, Paro District, elevation {{convert|2547|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1996–2017 normals) |Jan high C = 13.1 |Feb high C = 14.8 |Mar high C = 17.4 |Apr high C = 19.5 |May high C = 21.9 |Jun high C = 23.8 |Jul high C = 24.0 |Aug high C = 24.1 |Sep high C = 22.4 |Oct high C = 20.0 |Nov high C = 17.4 |Dec high C = 13.8 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 5.2 |Feb mean C = 7.1 |Mar mean C = 10.1 |Apr mean C = 12.9 |May mean C = 15.9 |Jun mean C = 19.1 |Jul mean C = 19.6 |Aug mean C = 19.6 |Sep mean C = 17.8 |Oct mean C = 13.9 |Nov mean C = 10.0 |Dec mean C = 6.0 | year mean C = |Jan low C = -2.7 |Feb low C = -0.6 |Mar low C = 2.8 |Apr low C = 6.2 |May low C = 9.8 |Jun low C = 14.3 |Jul low C = 15.2 |Aug low C = 15.0 |Sep low C = 13.1 |Oct low C = 7.8 |Nov low C = 2.6 |Dec low C = -1.8 | year low C = |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 0.5 |Feb rain mm = 3.0 |Mar rain mm = 13.6 |Apr rain mm = 38.6 |May rain mm = 72.6 |Jun rain mm = 134.4 |Jul rain mm = 228.9 |Aug rain mm = 256.3 |Sep rain mm = 127.0 |Oct rain mm = 76.8 |Nov rain mm = 2.2 |Dec rain mm = 0.5 |year rain mm = | Jan humidity = 70.7 | Feb humidity = 72.4 | Mar humidity = 73.4 | Apr humidity = 71.2 | May humidity = 74.2 | Jun humidity = 80.1 | Jul humidity = 84.5 | Aug humidity = 83.7 | Sep humidity = 82.1 | Oct humidity = 78.2 | Nov humidity = 72.7 | Dec humidity = 70.0 | year humidity = |source 1 = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nchm.gov.bt/attachment/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Climate%20Data%20Book%20of%20Bhutan%2C%202018.pdf | title = Climate Data Book of Bhutan, 2018 | publisher = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology | accessdate = 18 February 2025}}</ref> }}

==See also== * Damthang * Districts of Bhutan * Paro Province

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Paro District}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20091011142241/http://www.paro.gov.bt/ Paro dzongkhag administration official Web site]

Category:Paro District Category:Districts of Bhutan