Situated a short walk outside Mongar town, Yagang Lhakhang was established in the 16th century by Lama Sangdag, the youngest son of Terton Pema Lingpa. The temple is highly revered for housing precious religious treasures revealed during the golden age of Bhutanese Buddhism.

Despite its modest size compared to major dzongs, the temple plays a vital role in local spiritual life. It is famous for hosting its own annual Tshechu, which features unique sacred mask dances passed down through family generations of spiritual caretakers, attracting villagers from surrounding hill communities.

Located near Lingmethang, the ruins of Zhongar Dzong offer an intriguing look into eastern Bhutanese history. Originally constructed in the 17th century by master architect Zow Balip, the massive fortress once stood as the formidable seat of the powerful regional rulers known as the Zhongarps.

According to local legend, the original fortress was destroyed by a combination of a devastating fire, an earthquake, and misfortune. Today, its impressive stone walls, courtyard ruins, and overgrown archways stand amidst green meadows, offering visitors a scenic and historic site to explore.

Aja Ney is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in eastern Bhutan, hidden deep within a remote valley. According to tradition, Guru Rinpoche meditated here and left behind 100 sacred imprints, including the miraculous imprint of the syllable “Aa” on a rock face inside a cave, which gives the site its name.

Reaching Aja Ney involves a multi-day trek through untouched temperate forests and pristine rivers. The site features sacred waterfalls, natural rock baths believed to have healing properties, and secluded caves used by meditating monks, making it a major spiritual sanctuary for devout Buddhists.

Built in the 1930s to replace the older Zhongar Dzong, Mongar Dzong is one of the newer fortresses in Bhutan. Constructed following centuries-old architectural traditions without the use of nails or drawn blueprints, the dzong sits on a hillside above the town, serving as the administrative headquarters and monastic center for the district.

Unlike western fortresses situated in broad river valleys, Mongar Dzong is built on a gentle slope, reflecting the steep terrain of eastern Bhutan. Inside, it houses several intricate chapels, sacred relics, and a central courtyard that hosts the annual three-day Mongar Tshechu,

Perched on a high ridge in eastern Mongar, Drametse Lhakhang (“The Peak Without Enemy”) was founded in the 16th century by Ani Choten Zangmo, the granddaughter of Terton Pema Lingpa. It stands as one of the largest and most spiritually significant monasteries in the region.

The monastery is famous as the birthplace of the Drametse Ngacham (Dance of the Drums of Drametse), a sacred masked dance that has been recognized internationally for its cultural heritage. Pilgrims visit to experience its deep spiritual legacy, historic murals, and sweeping views across the eastern mountain ranges.

Trashi Yangtse is Bhutan’s premier hub for master woodcarvers and artisans who specialize in making traditional wooden bowls and cups (Dapa). The local branch of the Institute for Zorig Chusum trains young students in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts, emphasizing woodcarving, painting, and embroidery.

Visitors to the institute can observe students honing their craftsmanship in real-time. Adjacent local artisan shops offer authentic handcrafted wooden items, making it the best location in Bhutan to purchase genuine Dapa directly from local craftspeople.

Rigsum Goempa is a revered 18th-century monastery perched high on a forested ridge overlooking the Trashi Yangtse valley. Founded by Lam Tshering Gyamtsho, the monastery complex is dedicated to the three protective Bodhisattvas: Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and Vajrapani.

Reaching the monastery requires a scenic hike through dense pine and rhododendron forests. The quiet ridge offers panoramic mountain views and a peaceful environment for Buddhist monks undergoing long retreats.

Spanning over 1,500 square kilometers, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary protects diverse ecosystems ranging from warm broadleaf forests to high alpine lakes. The sanctuary forms a vital ecological corridor in the Eastern Himalayas and shelters threatened species like the snow leopard, red panda, and tiger.

Bumdeling is nationally famous as the wintering habitat for the vulnerable black-necked crane, which migrates south from Tibet between November and February. Nature enthusiasts visit the valley to observe the cranes feeding along the riverbeds and explore the pristine wetland trails.

Overlooking the broad Kholong Chhu valley, Trashi Yangtse Dzong was originally founded in the 15th century by Terton Pema Lingpa and later rebuilt in 1997 to serve as the new district administrative seat. The modern fortress combines traditional Bhutanese architectural motifs with commanding elevated views of the river landscape below.

The dzong houses administrative offices and monastic quarters, preserving numerous sacred relics. It serves as the district’s primary cultural hub and hosts the annual Trashi Yangtse Tshechu, where local communities celebrate with traditional mask dances.

Modeled after the famous Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal, Chorten Kora is a massive white-washed stupa constructed in the 18th century by Lama Ngawang Lodroe. Situated near the riverbanks of the Kholong Chhu, the monument was built to subdue harmful spirits and protect the surrounding valley.

The stupa serves as a major pilgrimage destination, hosting two vibrant annual festivals in early spring. During these events, thousands of pilgrims from eastern Bhutan and neighboring Arunachal Pradesh gather to circumambulate the sacred structure day and night.