Punakha witnessed a new shift yesterday. Traditionally, a visit to the district is focused on its cultural heritage sites and pristine nature. Now, the attention is turning to the sky above. With its clear and unpolluted night skies, Punakha is tapping into astro-tourism, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the stars after sunset. By promoting stargazing and telescope-based astronomy experiences, the district aims to encourage overnight stays and boost the local economy.
Overlooking the scenic Punakha Dzong, officials and visitors enjoyed dinner under the stars, experiencing the magic of the night sky.
Using the telescope, people got a closer look at planets like Jupiter and countless stars. Clear, dark skies with little pollution are needed for the best view.
The stargazing programme, launched on Thursday, was developed by the Punakha district administration in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the GovTech Agency and the De-Suung Skilling Programme, following a successful trial in October last year.
Mike Dalley, an Australian astro-tourism expert trained the De-suups and Gyalsups in Punakha and said Bhutan has a great potential for astro-tourism.
“So, if you want to see beautiful stars, altitude is very important. The higher you are, the thinner the atmosphere, which makes the skies clearer. You also need minimal light pollution. In big cities, like in Australia, it’s impossible to see many stars. But in Punakha, even when you drive into the town, you can still see countless stars shining brightly above.”
The GovTech Agency is providing technical support, and 25 De-suups and Gyalsups have been trained as Bhutan’s first cohort of astro-guides.
“We invite all tourism service providers interested in offering astro-tourism experiences to their guests. The dzongkhag administration is happy to coordinate and provide access to telescopes from the GovTech Agency, along with technical support from trained astro-guides through the De-Suung Skilling Programme,” said Yeshi Dorji, Economic Development and Marketing Officer, Punakha.
Over one hundred thousand tourists visited Punakha in 2024. The district now aims to offer beyond hiking, rafting, and cultural visits by giving visitors a unique stargazing experience.
“We’ve noticed that most tourists visit Punakha only during the day and then leave to spend the night elsewhere. Our goal is to increase overnight stays, which is why we are promoting astro-tourism, giving visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the night sky,” added Yeshi Dorji, Economic Development and Marketing Officer, Punakha.
This new initiative of astro-tourism highlights that nature’s beauty continues after sunset, revealing a whole new world. And Punakha’s new focus on the night sky reflects its innovative approach to tourism, making the most of its landscapes and pristine nature, while offering visitors a unique experience.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Sonam Pem
