Truly an unparalleled biological treasure in the Eastern Himalayas, Royal Manas National Park represents the largest example of tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems in Bhutan. With hundreds of wildlife, birds and plant species, several globally endangered, Royal Manas is not only the most diverse protected area in the Kingdom but also one of the world’s biologically outstanding conservation sites. The Park is the fourth largest national park in Bhutan with an area of 1057 km2 and its area begins from the plains of Manas River in Bhramaputra basin at 108 meters and extends up to 2600 meters above sea level. After being maintained as a forest reserve by the Royal Government of Bhutan for many years, Royal Manas was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1964, making this park, the nation’s oldest protected area. In 1993 the area was upgraded to a national park.

Nestled in the warm and verdant lowlands of Zhemgang District, Tingtibi is a tranquil settlement where Bhutan’s subtropical beauty unfolds in its purest form. Surrounded by dense forests, rolling hills, and river valleys, this charming town serves as an important gateway to southern Zhemgang and the Kheng region.

Tingtibi is known for its rich biodiversity and gentle climate, making it an ideal stop for nature lovers and explorers. The surrounding forests are alive with birdlife, butterflies, and rare flora, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching, short walks, and immersive nature experiences. The area’s rivers and fertile land support traditional farming, giving visitors a glimpse into the everyday rural life of the Khengpa people.

With its unhurried pace and warm local hospitality, Tingtibi provides a refreshing contrast to Bhutan’s high-altitude destinations. Whether used as a transit point or a quiet retreat, the town invites visitors to slow down, connect with nature, and experience the authentic rhythms of life in southern Bhutan.

Located at the heart of the town and overlooking the majestic Zhemgang Dzong, Trong Village welcomes visitors with quiet grandeur. Its narrow cobbled paths invite you to walk back in time, where every stone reveals the mastery of ancestral masons who combined strength, function, and durability to create a settlement built to endure. Home to the Khengpas of Zhemgang, the village showcases craftsmanship that remains unmatched.

Modest in scale yet extraordinary in technique, Trong’s stone houses tell a remarkable story. Built without formal education or modern science, these structures were shaped through generations of observation, experience, and trial and error. Each wall and pathway reflects a profound understanding of balance and resilience. Upper Kheng is renowned for its stone craftsmanship, while Lower Kheng is celebrated for bamboo work—together forming a village where every corner carries inherited wisdom.

Spread across 2.3 acres, Trong comprises around 30 traditional homes and a close-knit community of approximately 110 residents. The houses cluster naturally along cobbled paths that follow the land’s contours, creating an organic and harmonious village layout.

Life here unfolds at a gentle pace. Children play under the sun, clothes dry outside homes, and villagers pause to rest or chat in the warmth of the day. The village features the Crong Heritage Café, general stores, and a salon—simple yet essential spaces that reflect everyday village life.

Trong is also the starting point of a 9.5 km heritage trail to Gompong Chorten, once an important route linking Upper Kheng to Zhemgang Dzongkhag. Today, the trail is a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers, passing through elevations of 1,853 to 2,145 metres and offering rich views of diverse flora and birdlife. Inaugurated in November 2024, the trail revives an ancient pathway and offers an immersive encounter with Zhemgang’s ecosystems.

Much of Trong’s past lives through oral tradition. One legend traces the village’s origins to Lama Zhang Dorje Drakpa, who arrived from Tibet in the 12th century and established a hermitage near present-day Zhemgang Dzong. The village may even predate the Dzong itself, preserved not in written records but in stone walls and age-old pathways.

The village’s name, too, holds mystery. Some link Trong to a Kheng Gongphu master who was assassinated here, though many locals dispute this. Others believe the name comes from Crong, the Khengkha word for village—pronounced as Trong due to Dzongkha spelling.

Whether known as Crong or Trong, this timeless village has survived for centuries. Its stone houses continue to carry the spirit, skill, and wisdom of generations—standing as a living testament to a heritage built to last.

Standing on top of a ridge that rises from Mangde Chhu river, facing the village of Trong and Zhemgang town, the dzong was initially established by Lama Zhang Dorje Drakpa in 12th century as a small hermitage. In 1655, where he had built the hermitage, a small dzong was constructed to symbolize the unification of three Kheng divisions. In 1963, when Zhemgang became a separate district, the dzong was renovated under the Third King while the monastic body was established in 1966. The dzong as medium size three-storey fortress houses residential complex of the district monk body and also district’s administrative centre.

Panbang is a settlement in south-central region of Bhutan located adjacent (12km) to Bhutan's first national park, Royal Manas National Park. This small, picturesque town is an interesting destination to explore Khengpa customs & traditions, unbeaten hiking trails, river rafting and jungle safari. The nature friendly villagers here still practice shamanism and many of them live in houses with a thatched banana / grass roof.

Located next to Gomphu – Panbang highway (7 km from Panbang towards Pantang), twin waterfall is magnificent site to behold and admire nature’s creation. Amidst captivating natural grandeur, it is a perfect picnic spot.

Bjoka Gewog (village block) lies in the south-east part of the Zhemgang District Administration and Khoche is the name of a nobility. Some historians say that the dynasty had descended, from Lhasey Tsangma, like the other Khoche families which spread in Khengrig Namsum, and in such case case it can be estimated that the Bjoka Khoche ruled between the 9th and 17th centuries AD. Even today, people in Bjoka village narrate, with pride, that the Khoche once ruled the Assamese provinces of Kokabari, Rangapani and Gohali. The castle of Bjoka Khoche, which stands today, has two different parts. The Bhutanese built the first half (with larger stones) while the other half (using smaller stones due to shortage of stones in the plains) was built by the Assamese taxpayers.

The 9.5 km trail from Trongsa Heritage Village to Gompong Choeten is a revitalized ancient route that once connected Upper Kheng to Zhemgang Dzongkhag. Today, it stands as a haven for bird enthusiasts, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. Traversing varied elevations, the trail reveals a thriving habitat of diverse bird species and rich flora, offering a rare opportunity to experience the serene beauty of Zhemgang’s ecosystems up close.

Beginning at an elevation of 1,944 metres and descending to 1,853 metres above sea level, with the highest point reaching 2,145 metres, the trail unfolds through forests, ridgelines, and quiet natural corridors alive with birdsong and biodiversity.

Trail Highlights:
Trail Length: 9.549 km
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Elevation Range: 1,853 m – 2,145 m
Best Time to Visit: Early mornings and late afternoons for peak bird activity

Inaugurated on 11 November 2024, this trail revives a historic pathway while offering an immersive journey into the natural and ecological richness of Zhemgang.