The Kheng region of Zhemgang, particularly villages like Bjoka, represents the cultural heartland of Bhutan’s cane and bamboo handicraft tradition. Surrounded by wild bamboo groves, entire communities specialize in harvesting, stripping, and weaving natural fibers using techniques passed down over generations.

Visiting these remote settlements offers an authentic look into rural life in central-southern Bhutan. Guests can observe weavers creating intricate baskets, mats, household containers, and souvenir crafts directly supporting the economic livelihood of local families.

Buli is a traditional village situated in northern Zhemgang, known for preserving ancient architectural styles and local agrarian customs. The area is famous for its skilled artisans who produce intricate cane and bamboo items, including Bhutan’s iconic woven bowls (Bangchu).

A short distance from the village lies Buli Tsho, a sacred lake hidden within dense oak and rhododendron forests. According to local belief, the lake is guarded by a deity (Buli Menmo), and visitors maintain strict quiet and cleanliness around its pristine waters out of spiritual reverence.

Panbang is located at the southern tip of Zhemgang where the Mangde Chhu and Drangme Chhu rivers merge into the powerful Manas River. The dramatic natural confluence is surrounded by steep forested canyon walls, creating a striking riverine landscape.

The region has developed into Bhutan’s primary eco-adventure hub, offering white-water rafting, kayaking, river fishing, and jungle canopy camping. Local community-based tourism groups manage sustainable river expeditions along the waterways.

Royal Manas National Park is Bhutan’s oldest national park, stretching across southern Zhemgang to the border of India. The park forms a vital transboundary conservation landscape and is world-renowned for its biodiversity, sheltering endangered species like the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, cloud leopard, and golden langur.

Visitors to the park can experience subtropical rainforest safaris, boat trips along the Manas River, and guided birdwatching expeditions. It stands as a premier destination for ecotourism and wildlife conservation enthusiasts in South Asia.

Zhemgang Dzong sits on a steep ridge overlooking the Mangde Chhu river valley. Founded in the 12th century by Lama Zhang Dorje Drakpa, a disciple of the Tibetan master Naropa, the fortress is one of the oldest sacred structures in the region and serves as both the civil administration hub and monastic center.

Unlike many larger fortresses in Bhutan, Zhemgang Dzong features a relatively compact, hilltop architecture surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation. It houses several ancient religious relics and serves as the venue for the annual Zhemgang Tshechu, where locals gather to witness sacred mask dances.

Covering over 650 square kilometers in the easternmost corner of Trashigang, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary was established to preserve the region’s rich bio-cultural diversity. The sanctuary encompasses diverse terrestrial ecosystems ranging from warm broadleaf forests to high alpine meadows and temperate blue pine stands. It serves as a refuge for rare species, including the red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, and numerous endemic bird and plant species.

What makes Sakteng unique among protected parks is that it was also created to safeguard the cultural habitat of the semi-nomadic Brokpa people and protect local mountain folklore. Mythologically, the sanctuary’s vast, uninhabited terrain is famous for being set aside in part to preserve the habitat of the Migoi (Bhutan’s yeti). For travelers, Sakteng represents an untouched frontier ideal for high-altitude trekking, nature exploration, and immersive cultural encounters.

Located roughly 30 kilometers east of Trashigang town, Radhi Village is widely known as the “Rice Bowl of the East” due to its sweeping amphitheater of terraced rice paddies. Irrigated by local mountain streams, the fertile valley transforms into a vivid green landscape during the growing season and a shimmering golden patchwork during harvest.

Traditional earth-and-stone houses dot the gentle slopes, creating one of the most picturesque rural landscapes in Bhutan. In addition to its agriculture, Radhi is nationally famous for its centuries-old textile tradition, particularly the hand-weaving of raw silk known as Bura. Nearly every household in the village features a backstrap loom where local women craft vibrant, naturally dyed silk garments. Visitors to Radhi can walk through the terraced fields, observe the meticulous silk-weaving process firsthand, and experience authentic Bhutanese village life.

Gom Kora, located about 24 kilometers north of Trashigang along the riverbanks heading toward Trashi Yangtse, is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in eastern Bhutan. The name translates to “Meditation Cave Circumambulation,” marking the location of a prominent black rock where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is believed to have meditated in the 8th century to subdue an evil spirit.

Over the centuries, prominent religious figures expanded the shrine around the rock, preserving its ancient murals and sacred relics. The temple is famous for its annual Gom Kora Festival (Tshechu), held in the spring. During the festival, pilgrims from across eastern Bhutan and neighboring regions gather to circumambulate the sacred rock face and temple throughout the day and night. According to local lore, walking around the rock at Gom Kora washes away past sins, making it both a deeply spiritual destination and a lively cultural gathering.

Situated high in the protected alpine wilderness of Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, the remote valleys of Merak and Sakteng offer a glimpse into a way of life found nowhere else in Bhutan. These pastoral highlands are home to the Brokpa people, a semi-nomadic group of yak herders who migrated from Tibet centuries ago. Surrounded by sweeping meadows and temperate rhododendron forests, the isolated villages consist of tightly clustered stone houses designed to withstand the cold mountain climate.

The defining draw of Merak and Sakteng is the distinct culture of the Brokpa community. They maintain unique seasonal migration patterns, trade networks, and traditional attire, including intricate silk ponchos and signature black yak-felt hats with five tassels designed to shed rain. Only opened to international visitors in 2009, these valleys provide an authentic trekking experience through pristine landscapes rich in local folklore, biodiversity, and highland traditions.

Built in 1659 by Penlop Minjur Tenpa, Trashigang Dzong (“Fortress of the Auspicious Hill”) stands strategically perched on a steep, rocky ridge overlooking the confluence of the Drangme Chhu and Gamri Chhu rivers. Constructed originally to defend against Tibetan invasions, the fortress has served as the administrative and monastic seat of eastern Bhutan for centuries. Its impressive cliffside architecture and commanding position make it one of the most visually striking dzongs in the country.

Beyond its historical and administrative importance, the dzong acts as the cultural centerpiece of the district. Every year, its central courtyard hosts the four-day Trashigang Tshechu, a major religious festival that draws people from all fifteen gewogs (blocks) of the district in vibrant traditional attire. The dzong also houses historic relics and armories, making it a pivotal site for understanding the heritage of eastern Bhutan.