Trashigang

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Location of Trashigang dzongkhag within Bhutan

Trashigang, also spelled Tashigang, is Bhutan's easternmost district.

1 Culture
2 Economy and education
3 Places of interest
- 3.1 Trashigang Dzong
- 3.2 Gom Kora
4 Geography
- 4.1 See also

[edit] Culture

The inhabitants of Trashigang district are mainly Sharchops, which means "easterner" in Dzongkha, the national language. The Sharchops appear to mix Indian and Tibetan blood whereas the Ngalops of central and western Bhutan appear to be mainly Tibetan.

[edit] Economy and education

While not a major urban area, Trashigang has the densest population in Bhutan. It used to be part of an important trade route connecting Assam to Tibet, and still is a primary route for Bhutanese trade with India. Major cities include Trashigang, Radhi, and Phongmey. The district produces a lot of rice and lavender. There are several tourist packages to Bhutan that include trips from Thimphu to Trashigang, despite the 17 hour journey from the capital over the rough and dangerous Lateral Road.

Trashigang dzongkhag is also the site of Sherubtse College, the original college within the Royal University of Bhutan system.

[edit] Places of interest

[edit] Trashigang Dzong

This dzong, or fortress, was built in 1659 by the third Druk Desi to defend against Tibetan invaders. Because of its altitude invading armies remarked that "it is not a dzong on the ground, it is in the sky".

[edit] Gom Kora

An ancient lhakhang or temple in the district, known for its rock garden, contains a sacred footprint said to be either that of Guru Rimpoche or that of a khandroma (angel).