Lhuntse
It is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan and consists of 2506 households. Located in the northeast, Lhuntse is one of the least developed dzongkhag of Bhutan. There are few roads, the first gas station was opened as recently as September 2005, electricity is not well distributed and the difficult terrain makes distribution of social welfare difficult. The Land is mostly covered in dense coniferous forests and stark cliffs above river gorges makes it spectacular. The region is famous for textiles and its weavers for their distinct textile patterns. Kishuthara, a Bhutanese textile which is highly prized, comes from this region. It lies at an elevation of 2,300 m.
PLACES OF INTERESTS:
Lhuentse Dzong: It lies on the eastern side of the Kuri Chhu (River), perched on a hill top. Originally a monastery was established by Kunga Wangmo in the year 1943. The formal Dzong was built in 1654 by the Trongsa Penlop Minjur Tempa after winning a battle. The Dzong was named Lhuntse Rinchentse.
Jangchubling Monastery: This monastery was founded in the 18th century by Pekar Gyatso. Till recently, the monastery was under the patronage of the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorji. As a nun, Ashi Wangmo (Daughter of the 1st King), lived in this monastery. The Monastery is connected by a feeder road.
SHORT DAY TRIPS:
Kilung Lhakhang: The Kilung Lhakhang is situated in the tiny village of Kilung, which is a twenty minutes of drive from the Dzong. The Kilung village is inhabited by the Tshanglas who settled here during the late 1880's. The lhakhang is located on a ridge overlooking the Kurichhu River. The temple houses the sacred chain mall. It is said that this sacred chain mall was used to recapture a statue miraculously flew away from the Lhuentse Dzong.
Dungkar Nagtshang: The Dungkar Nagtshang was the ancient home of the Dungkar Chojie, one of noble lineages from Kurtoe. This was also the home to the Trongsa Penlop, Jigme Namgyal, the father of the Wangchuck dynasty.We have to drive a distance of 40 km of rough road from Lhuentse to reach the Dungkar Nagtshang. It stands on the slopes of the mountains overlooking the tiny Dungkar village.
Gangzur Village: Around two kilometers from the Lhuntse Dzong is the small village of Gangzur. The village is famous for pottery and the women of the village are skilled artisans of this art. While at Gangzur you shall come across women displaying their skills.
Khoma village: Located at a distance of about two hours walk from the Lhuntse Dzong, this village known throughout the country for its signature woven textile, the Kishuthara and it is a main destination for those tourists who are on a Bhutanese textile tour. The walk to the village is a pleasant jourey through gentle slopes amongst the pine trees. Women of the village site in a makeshift textile cottage, weaving the intricate designs and patterns of the Kishuthara. The Kishuthara is one of the most expensive textile and buying one from here could be reasonable.