Paro Rinpung Dzong, meaning “Fortress on a Heap of Jewels,” is one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well-known dzongs, serving as both a monastic institution and the administrative center of the Paro district. Built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan, it is a magnificent example of traditional Bhutanese architecture, with its towering whitewashed walls, large courtyards, and beautiful woodwork. The dzong plays a central role in the annual Paro Tsechu (festival), where sacred thangkas are unfurled.

The dzong is also known for its exquisite traditional paintings and carvings within its various temples and chapels. The entrance to the dzong is through a traditional cantilever bridge called Nyamai Zam, which offers picturesque views of the dzong itself and the river below. Visitors can explore the outer courtyards and admire the architectural grandeur, gaining insight into Bhutanese spiritual and governmental structures that have remained largely unchanged for centuries.