Punakha
City in Bhutan
Punakha is a city in Bhutan located 28 kilometers from the capital, Thimphu. Visitors travel here to see historic architecture and religious sites.
What to see
The city is home to two primary sights: Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang. These structures represent the local architectural and religious landscape.
When to go
The driest months are November and December, with very little rain and daily highs between 16 °C and 19 °C. January and February are also dry, though cooler, with highs of 14 °C to 15 °C. Rainfall increases significantly from April through September, peaking in July with 239 mm of rain over nearly every day of the month. Temperatures remain relatively consistent from May to September, with daily highs reaching 23 °C.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Paro International Airport, located 50 kilometers away. From there, travelers can reach Punakha by road.
Top sights in Punakha
Weather by month
The warmest month is June, with an average high of 23 °C. The wettest is July, with about 239 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 14 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 16 |
| Average low, °C | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 |
| Rainfall, mm | 28 | 48 | 46 | 59 | 85 | 158 | 239 | 176 | 127 | 65 | 23 | 19 |
| Rainy days | 1 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 24 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 23 | 11 | 1 | 1 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Punakha (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.