Paro National Museum was one time a watchtower built to defend the Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century. Ta Dzong has been functioning as the National Museum since 1967. It holds fascinating collections of art, relics, religious Thangka paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps.
The National Museum performs an essential role as a preserver and promoter of Bhutanese cultural values.A visit through the galleries shows the country’s transition from the Stone Age to a modern Mahayanist Buddhist and multicultural kingdom with its cultural heritage intact. The Museum is designed with connoisseurs, students, scholars and tourists in mind, and seeks to provide each visitor with a rich and colourful experience.
The National Museum is open throughout the week except on government holidays.
- Summer opening hours (April – October) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Winter opening hours (November –March) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photography and videography are not permitted inside the museum. Lockers located at the Museum entrance where you can keep your cameras and other bags. Photography is permitted outside the museum building and on the grounds.
There is a museum shop and items sold here mainly the replicas of artifacts found in the Museum and are only available for purchase from the Museum.