Singye Dzong in Lhuentse is not only one of the most sacred sites in the country but also among the most isolated. It takes three days on foot to reach the site. It has become much more convenient now to visit the sacred place. With support from the Department of Tourism, the trail to Singye Dzong has been enhanced with various facilities such as washrooms, continuous water supply, canopies, guest houses, and strategically placed dustbins.
The enhanced trail is expected to attract more visitors, thereby boosting the local economy.
The gewog welcomes pilgrims from September to November every year.
“After the completion of the project, we received appreciation from the public who believed it would bring significant benefits. We are also pleased and hope to see an increase in domestic tourists following the maintenance,” said Tshering Wangdi, Khoma Gup.
“Although the journey takes more than three days, it will now be trouble-free with resting canopies after every steep slope. These facilities are better than those in towns. Moreover, there’s a great potential for ecotourism here,” said Kinley Wangmo, a pilgrim from Wangdue Phodrang.
According to the gup, the maintenance was done based on the pilgrims’ request. The gewog generated more than Nu 20,000 last year.
The maintenance works began in 2022 and were completed last year with a budget of Nu 10 M provided by the Department of Tourism.
The Gewog administration has plans to carry out more maintenance work in the future.
A visit to the pilgrimage site requires a fee of Nu 100 per person.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Sonam Pem
