Important cultural sites of Paro include: •
Taktshang, or ''Tiger's Nest'', the most famous monastery and ancient highlights for the people of Bhutan. It was founded as a meditating cave by the famous saint Guru Padmasambhava in the early 8th century upon subjugating a demon and forcing him to take an oath to be the local protector of the region towards the very end. •
Kyichu Lhakhang, which along with
Jambay Lhakhang in central Bhutan is the oldest temple in Bhutan, dating to the 7th century. •
Drukgyel Dzong, at the upper end of the valley, built to protect against invading Tibetans, but in ruins since a fire in the 1950s. •
Paro Town, the single market town in the dzonghag which is booming (by Bhutanese standards) due to an influx of tourist dollars. •
Rinpung Dzong, also known as
Paro Dzong, the massive fortress/monastery which is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag. Scenes from the movie
Little Buddha were filmed in and around this dzong. • The
National Museum of Bhutan, where visitors can learn about the culture of Bhutan. • Dzongdrakha Goenpa is a sacred cliff of Guru Rinpoche above the two villages of Bonday and Gyepjag under Paro Dzongkhag blessed during his second visit to Bhutan in 822 A.D from Tibet. • Chumophu Ney is a meditation place of Guru Rinpoche in Paro where the famous floating statue of Dorji Phagmo is defying gravity. • Drakarpo is a sacred cliff that Guru Rinpoche broke and took out an evil spirit in the 8th century. This holy cliff, also known as the mini-Taktsang. • Ragoey Ney is a sacred site blessed by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. The monastery houses a Guru Sungjoen Statue brought by a goat and a vulture from Punakha. • Gom Drak is one of the Four Cliffs of Guru Rinpoche entrusted to Phajo Drugom Zhigpo in his prophetic vision. •
Jomolhari is a sacred mountain where a meditation cave of Guru Rinpoche and Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal meditated before flying back to Tibet. • Namthong Karpo is a sacred cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and subdued a sickle-faced demon. • Bumdrak monastery is a sacred cliff of Guru Rinpoche where Goddess of the Fairies left 100,000 footprints. • Hungrel Dzong is a fortress built on the sacred site of Guru Rinpoche by Drung Drung Gyelchog in the 15th century. It was a five-story structure, built of compact mud, and resembled Namgyal Khangzang. ==Economy==