Bumthang Dzongkhag consists of four main valleys, namely Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor. Choekhor is the largest of the valleys and fondly referred to as "Bumthang Valley". These broad and gentle valleys, carved by ancient glaciers, are known to be scenic, drawing huge amounts of tourists annually.
The name Bumthang has two probable origins: a Bumpa, a vessel for holy water which the valley resembles in shape and the second implies that it is the Valley of Beautiful Girls, as Bum translates to ‘girl’ and Thang means ‘flat piece of land’.
One of the most peaceful serene regions in the kingdom, these fertile valleys are covered in fields of buckwheat, rice and potatoes. Apple orchards and dairy farms are also common sights here.
Bumthang is one of the most richly endowed in terms of historical and spiritual legacies. Some of Bhutan’s oldest and most venerated temples are found here, including the oldest Jambey Lhakhang. According to legend, this Lhakhang was built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in 659 A.D., as part of a chain of 108 simultaneously constructed temples in order to subdue an evil demoness that lay over the Himalayan region. There are numerous other historical shrines worth visiting in Bumthang and many of them are linked to Guru Rinpoche’s visit in 746 A.D.
Life in Bumthang is perfectly balanced, the epitome of both nature and man in harmony.