Punakha Suspension Bridge

The bridge spans the Po Chhu a short distance below Punakha Dzong, running around 160 to 180 metres and making it one of the longest suspension footbridges in the country. It is a working crossing rather than an attraction: villagers from Shengana and the settlements on the far bank use it daily, and monks cross to and from the dzong. Prayer flags are tied along its whole length and move constantly in the valley wind, which along with the flex of the deck is what makes the crossing memorable. From the middle the view runs upstream to the confluence of the two rivers and the dzong sitting between them. It takes ten minutes to cross and is usually combined with the dzong on the same visit.

What you actually see

• The long span - around 180 metres of swaying deck over the river.
• Prayer flags - lines of flags along the whole crossing.
• The dzong upstream - Punakha Dzong at the river confluence.
• Village traffic - local people using the bridge as a daily route.

When to go

March to May and September to November. Spring brings jacaranda in bloom around Punakha. The valley is low and hot in summer. Wind on the bridge is strongest in the afternoon.

Honest expectations

The bridge moves considerably underfoot and is not comfortable for anyone with a fear of heights. It gets busy with visitors in the middle of the day. There are no facilities at either end. The walk to it from the dzong takes fifteen minutes.

Nearby

Punakha Dzong is upstream; Khamsum Yulley chorten is north.