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Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Majestically standing on an island between the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, the city's dzong is one of the most photogenic of all Bhutan's ancient fortresses, and you will see pictures of it hanging in hotels and restaurants throughout the country. It was constructed without an architectural blueprint or using any nails. The dzong is joined to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge, and contains many precious relics from the days when successive kings reigned the kingdom from this valley. The dzong was the seat of the Bhutan government until 1955. It still serves as the winter home of the monastic body.
The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang, is the administrative centre of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second-largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. The dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kharsapani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the tertön Pema Lingpa.
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An almost 250 m long pedestrian suspension bridge built in 16th century across one of the Mochu/Phochu rivers. It's very beautiful and serene, very good to sit and just watch the flow of the river. Many people do not visit this, but those who have would consider it as a must go. It is also a checkpoint for the annual Bhutan International Marathon.
Between very beautiful paddy fields, it is one of the most scenic monasteries in eastern Bhutan and takes about half an hour to trek/walk till the monastery from the road. Best time of day to visit: early morning. It was established by Drukpa Kunley, who also is credited with introducing to the country the practice of phallus paintings, and placing statues of phalluses on rooftops, to drive away evil spirits. Bhutanese come here to seek for fertility blessing. Monks will use wooden phallus to knock on the forehead of women seeking fertility or draw bamboo sticks to pick names for newly born babies.