Taktsang

Taktsang, commonly known as the Tiger’s Nest, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery complex in the Paro Valley, Bhutan. It is perched on a cliffside high above the valley, about 900 meters (3,000 feet) above the Paro valley floor and at an altitude of roughly 3,120 meters (10,240 feet) above sea level. The site derives its name from a legend in which Guru Rinpoche, the 8th-century tantric master, arrived at Taktsang riding a tigress and chose the cliffside cave there as a retreat and meditation site.

The monastery at Taktsang Palphug was founded in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, the 4th Desi (secular ruler) of Bhutan, around the cave associated with Guru Rinpoche. The structure consists of multiple temples and chapels linked by a network of narrow paths and stairways along the cliff face. The main temple complex houses shrines and murals commemorating Guru Rinpoche and other Buddhist figures, with interiors featuring traditional Bhutanese religious art.

In 1998 a large fire damaged much of the complex, leading to extensive restoration work that continued for several years and was largely completed by 2005–2006. The rebuilding preserved the original character while updating facilities and safety measures, and the site remains an important pilgrimage destination as well as a major tourist attraction.

Access to Taktsang requires a hike from the base area near the parking lot. The round-trip journey typically takes several hours, with the ascent described as steep and strenuous in places. Visitors are expected to dress modestly and behave respectfully inside the sacred spaces; the site remains a powerful symbol of Bhutanese Buddhist heritage and a prominent landmark in the region.