Kuenga Rabten Palace
Located roughly 23 kilometers south of Trongsa along the scenic road toward Zhemgang, Kuenga Rabten was the winter palace of Bhutan’s Second King, Jigme Wangchuck. Set against a lush forested slope overlooking the roaring Mangde Chhu river, this intimate three-story royal residence showcases classic Bhutanese residential craftsmanship, featuring hand-carved wooden window frames, painted plaster walls, and a quiet royal chapel on the top floor housing valuable religious statues and rare manuscripts.
A visit here offers a rare and intimate glimpse into royal life in the mid-20th century before the permanent move to Thimphu. The surrounding palace grounds include terraced farm plots and peaceful courtyards that now serve as a Buddhist monastic school for young novices. Local guides suggest pairing the palace visit with a gentle walk through the adjacent traditional farming hamlets, where villagers still cultivate seasonal citrus, cardamoms, and terraced paddy fields.
