South Korea to Paro

Capital city of South Korea, Seoul is a metropolitan city, with a population of over 35 million. It is the largest city of the country and also considered as the financial and cultural epic center of the country. The reason behind the city's popularity is its age-old cultural heritage, traditions, blended perfectly with modern digital technology. There are many attractions which has made it a popular destination among the tourists all over the world. Some of them include the world class architecture, beautiful Buddhist temples, unusual education system, continuous row of street food vendors, and an extra-ordinary night-life. Seoul is a modern organized city, with beautiful locations and lots of arresting attractions. People can get in to the place through Lncheon International Airport, which is by far the most used way of travelling to the city. Other ways to travel are by train, bus, boat and car. While you plan to roam around the city, don't forget to carry a map and hire a taxi or car for the purpose. Visit and see different artistic palaces, mountains for hiking, parks for spending quality time with family, and temples and shrines to satisfy the spiritual desires. There are many other places like World Comic Convention, Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Seodaemun Prison, N Seoul Tower, The National Museum of Korea, and National War Memorial that attract travellers across the world. One can also indulge themselves in cooking activities, as the Korean food is world renowned for its flavour and taste. When planning to shop, the tourists can turn to the local markets, and can also reach to the big marts and malls. One must not forget to visit the fashion hub of the city, i.e., 'Myeongdong'. You can shed your pockets in various clubs and can splurge freely on drinks and eatables. As far as the gentry is concerned, the Korean people are friendly by nature and can be often seen helping the tourists. Don't leave any loop hole while you plan to travel to the city. With the help of MakeMyTrip, book tickets online and decide on the proper accommodation arrangements. One can also take help from the city guides to fetch detailed information about the city to be visited.

Paro was a historical province, often referred to as the last kingdom in the Himalayas among the nine historical provinces of Bhutan. The old province was similar to the present day town limits, occupying the western lands of Bhutan. The Paro Dzong houses the administrative headquarters of the Paro Province.

The present day Paro is a picturesque valley town in the heart of Bhutan, situated on the banks of the river Paro Chhu. It extends from the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu, up till Mt. Jomolhari near the Tibetan border in the north. The town is surrounded by precious mountain valley views of untouched natural habitat. The city town isn’t a very old one; the main strip was built in 1985. With the passing years, the painted wooden cafes, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in Paro have begun to come under the shadow of mass concretisation. However, the charm of the city is still intact. The town is flanked by the Paro Dzong on the north-west, while the popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest lies nearby. Incidentally, Paro is the only Bhutanese town to have an international airport.

How to reach Paro

By Air – The main airport in Paro is the Paro International Airport. National carriers and other airlines operate flights to Paro from New Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Bangkok, etc. If you’re flying from other countries, it is advisable to first take a flight to one of the abovementioned cities and then a connecting flight to Paro.

By Train – One can reach Paro by train from West Bengal, India. Trains run from Kolkata to Paro.

By Road – One can drive to Paro via the international borders from India, but an international driving permit costing INR 400 is required, along with all the relevant documents of the car and the driver’s license. A valid visa is required for everyone entering Bhutan. Paro is a 32-hour drive from India’s capital Delhi. Buses also ply from the border at Phuntsholing.

What to do in Paro

Paro is the poster child of Himalayan aesthetics, with mountains, cliff-clinging monasteries, and sturdy fortresses, and it is a beautiful amalgamation of traditional Bhutanese and modern cultural habits. The area itself houses many sacred and historical sites, left to explore either by foot or the easily available taxis in the main town area. Exploring Paro Valley is considered one of the most exhilarating experiences in Bhutan, what with its lush green surroundings and uphill hikes. Paro is the part of Bhutan that is tailor-made for the nature lover looking to explore and relax in peace and quiet.

However, the main bazaar, the hub of tourist attractions, is an image of chaos, concrete, and activity. The “golden triangle” of Bhutanese tourist destinations is formed by Paro, Jakar, and Punakha.

Be it hiking or drinking and making merry at a café, Paro has something for every kind of traveller, and here are the top things to explore in Paro:

Taktsang Palphug Monastery

Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest)

Chele La Pass

Rinpung Dzong

Paro Taktsang

Dzongdrakha Temple

Kyichu Lhakhang

Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge

National Museum

Drukgyel Dzong

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Memorial House

Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang

Ugyen Pema Woedling Zangthopelri

Major Airports in and near Paro

One among the four airports in the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Paro International Airport is the sole international airport in the country. Situated at an elevation of 2,235 m, and surrounded by peaks at an elevation of 5,500 m, the Paro International Airport is one of the most challenging airports in the world to fly in and out of. The national carriers, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, fly daily to Paro. All international flights to Paro land here. One can get flights to Paro from cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, Kathmandu, and Bangkok.

MakeMyTrip offers a wide range of flights to Paro. One can easily use the website to book a flight to Paro or from Paro, with the major airport being a hub for domestic and international airlines. MakeMyTrip flights to Paro can be availed at highly discounted rates during festivals and off seasons.