Located in the east-central part of the country, this small town is surrounded by heavenly apple groves (the juice is fantastic) and fields of barley. Bumthang is in the area where Buddhism first took hold in Bhutan.
The town has several temples, including Kurjey Lhakhang (dating from the eighth century), Jampey Lhakhang (associated with Guru Rimpoche, who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet) and Jakar Dzong (which alone makes Bumthang worth a one-night stop). A short distance away is Tamshing Lhakang, a 16th-century monastery that holds some noted Buddhist paintings. There are two interesting festivals—Tamshing Phala and Thangbi Mani—in late September.
65 mi/105 km east of Thimphu.