The road from Thimphu to Punakha climbs through pine and rhododendron forest. Then, at the top, the trees open up and you see them: 108 white chortens standing on a green hill, with prayer flags snapping in the wind. This is Dochula Pass, and the Dochula Pass 108 chortens are, for most travellers, the first “wow” moment of a Bhutan trip.
Here is what the 108 chortens mean, what you can see from the pass, and how to make the most of your stop.
Where is Dochula Pass?
Dochula Pass sits about 30 km east of Thimphu, at roughly 3,100 metres above sea level. It is about an hour’s drive from the capital on the main road to Punakha and Phobjikha. So almost every trip to western and central Bhutan crosses it, often twice.
The Dochula Pass 108 chortens: what they mean
A chorten (also called a stupa) is a Buddhist shrine that holds sacred objects and prayers. The 108 chortens at Dochula are known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens. Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, built them in 2004. They honour the Bhutanese soldiers who lost their lives in December 2003, when the army cleared militant camps from the forests of southern Bhutan.
Why 108? In Buddhism, 108 is a number of completeness. Prayer beads have 108 beads, and the Buddha’s teachings are often counted in 108 volumes. The chortens rise in three rows around the hill, so as you walk among them, you walk inside a prayer.
Bhutan has since raised another famous set of 108 stupas, in a single day, at Gelephu. You can read that story in our post on the 108 stupas of Gelephu.
Druk Wangyal Lhakhang and the Dochula festival
Above the chortens stands Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, a temple built to honour the Fourth King. Its paintings show Bhutan’s history and its hopes for the future. Every year on 13 December, the courtyard hosts the Druk Wangyal Festival. Unusually, soldiers rather than monks perform the masked dances, with the snowy Himalaya behind them.
The Himalayan view from Dochula
On a clear day, you can see a long line of snow peaks to the north. Among them is Gangkar Puensum, at 7,570 metres the highest mountain in Bhutan, and one of the highest peaks in the world that nobody has ever climbed. The clearest views come from October to February, especially in the early morning. In summer, clouds often roll over the pass, and the chortens appear and vanish in the mist, which is beautiful in its own way.
Things to do at Dochula Pass
- Walk slowly around the 108 chortens, clockwise, the way Bhutanese people do.
- Hang your own prayer flags, and let the wind carry your wishes. Ask your guide about prayer flags and butter lamps.
- Visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang and its murals.
- Have tea and a hot snack at the café, with the mountains in front of you.
- Hike up to Lungchuzekha Goemba, a small monastery above the pass, through rhododendron forest (about 2 to 3 hours return).
- In spring, stop at the Royal Botanical Park nearby, where the rhododendrons bloom. See our Rhododendron Festival tour.
Tips for your visit
- Bring a warm layer, even in summer. At 3,100 metres the wind is cold.
- Leave Thimphu early for the best chance of clear mountain views.
- Plan 45 to 60 minutes to see the Dochula Pass 108 chortens. It is not a place to rush.
- Dress with respect if you enter the temple: covered shoulders and knees, and no hats inside.
See Dochula on your Bhutan trip
Dochula Pass is part of our 7-day classic Bhutan tour, and of almost every route to Punakha and Phobjikha. Would you like a sunrise stop, the hike to Lungchuzekha, or time at the December festival? Tell us, and we will build it into your days. You can also curate your own trip in a few minutes.
