Remote and rugged, Lhuentse lies in Bhutan’s far northeast and is the ancestral home of the royal family. But royalty isn’t the only thing that defines Lhuentse — it’s also Bhutan’s weaving capital, where women produce the nation’s most intricate and treasured kushuthara textiles.
Visiting Lhuentse is like stepping into a living museum. The traditional villages are surrounded by steep cliffs, deep gorges, and unspoiled forests. Khoma village, in particular, is known for its vibrant handwoven fabrics — and visitors are often welcomed to see the process firsthand. Watching these artisans at work is mesmerizing and reveals the incredible skill passed down through generations.
Dominating the landscape is Lhuentse Dzong, majestically set on a hilltop, guarding the valley below. Nearby religious sites like Kurtoe and the massive Guru Nangsey Zilnon statue (one of the largest in the world) make Lhuentse not just scenic, but spiritually significant.
Few tourists make it this far, which is precisely why it’s so special. Lhuentse offers not just landscapes and landmarks, but living culture. If you want to experience Bhutan off the beaten path, this is your destination.