Samdrup Jongkhar - Samdrup Jongkhar

Samdrup Jongkhar (བསམ་ གྲུབ་ ལྗོངས་ མཁར་) is the largest city in the Eastern Bhutan.

To know

Often called the little sister of Phuentsholing due to the similarity in the architectural style and the fact that both cities are bordering theIndia, Samdrup Jongkhar has, in fact, limited interest in tourists. The dzong is also new and lacks the charm and artistic treasures of traditional dzongs. However, the city is a very clean and pleasant place with an eclectic blend of Bhutanese Indian shops, restaurants and hotels, so it's worth a look around if you are visiting the area.

Background

In the past the city fell under the administration of an official (Gyadrung) who resided in the Dewangiri fortress in Deothang.

In 2003 the city was at the center of the "Flushout" operation, the offensive launched by the Bhutanese army to fight the members of separatist organizations. National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) e Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO), engaged in various capacities in the armed struggle for the independence ofAssam.

How to orient yourself

How to get

By plane

Guwahati (in India) is the closest airport to Samdrup Jongkhar.

By car

The Samdrup Jongkhar border with the state Indian of Assam reopened in 2008, but travelers heading to the eastern districts must have a pass or visa issued to Phuentsholing or a Thimphu.

By bus

Samdrup Jongkhar is three days by bus from Thimphu passing from the northern road, and the nearest direct services terminate at Trashigang is Mongar, where travelers will have to spend the night before leaving on different bus the next morning (consider buying the next ticket as soon as you arrive, as the bus in the final part of the journey are often full). Before that, there is an overnight stop at Jakar, but in this case it is same bus which continues traveling the next morning. The most comfortable buses are small buses Japanese, which operate as far as Mongar and Trashigang. If there are no seats available on the buses going to Mongar or Trashigang, consider the one that goes to Jakar (where there is a more frequent service), then buy a one way ticket on a regular inter-district bus to start from there.

How to get around

This compact little town is easily explored on foot.

What see

• Zangtopelri Lhakhang. A new monastery located opposite the entrance to the dzong. Though made of concrete and lacking the character of old monasteries, Zangtopelri is perhaps the only tourist site in Samdrup Jongkhar. 

Events and parties

What to do

Shopping

For those planning to stay in Bhutan for a long time, Samdrup Jongkhar is the place to shop for homemade clothes and dry food. However, these things will be of little interest to ordinary tourists. The city has no gift shops, not even in hotels.

• Mella Bazaar (Just past the border gate). In this Indian market there are a number of stalls selling goods at much lower prices than what can be found in Samdrup Jongkhar and some specializing in food. Assamese and northern India. The chaos and noise are in stark contrast to the peace and harmony that exists just outside the gate in Bhutan. 

How to have fun

Where to eat

Moderate prices

• Pema pastry shop (Located in the bazaar area). It has a small but good selection of baked goods which include cakes and pastries. 

Where stay

The city has no tourist-class hotels.

Average prices

• Peljorling hotel, ☎ 975 7 251-094. Single: 250 Nu., Double: 350 Nu.. On the main road it is one of the best hotels in the city. All rooms have attached bathrooms and cable TV. 
• Shambhala hotel (On the main road), ☎ 975 7 251-222. Single: 250 Nu., Double: 350 Nu.. On the main road All rooms are equipped with bathroom and TV. It has a kitchen offering a simple yet authentic selection of South Indian dishes - dosa is a specialty. 
• TLT Hotel (Close to the city market), ☎ 975 7 251-470, 975 7 251-069. Local tariff: 400 Nu., Tourist tariff: 1,300 Nu.. All rooms are equipped with bathroom and TV. The rooms in this hotel aren't bad, but certainly not worth the tourist rate. If they do not offer a more realistic price it is preferable to opt for another hotel. 
• Friends Hotel. The hotel has clean and decent rooms. An attached bar serves Bhutanese liquor and some Bhutanese dishes as well as regular Indian food along with a selection of Chinese and Tibetan food. 

Safety

The road between Darranga and Rangia which is located 55 km from Guwahati it is very ugly in some places. During the winter it is not recommended to travel after sunset because the fog is very intense and night driving becomes dangerous.

How to keep in touch

Around

• Assam is Phuentsholing - The border opens at 7:00 am to allow vehicles to travel through Assam to Phuentsholing. There are no buses so you will have to cross the border around 6:00 am to take a ride (just ask the drivers, hitchhiking is not necessary). The journey takes about ten hours. You need to visit the Indian foreign checkpoint in Darranga (5km from Samdrup Jongkhar) early in the morning or the night before to get the entry stamp.
• Deothang - A hill station about 18 km from Samdrup Jongkhar.
• Bhangtar - An area inhibited by many Bhutanese of origin Nepalese. The clean river and wide valley offer a good place to picnic and swim (although not in the rainy season).
• Guwahati - 110 km (three hour drive) from Samdrup Jongkhar. There is no direct bus and due to safety considerations travel must be made by a registered vehicle India, which can be rented at 1.300 / 1.800 Nu. per day.

Useful information

The city is home to the oldest movie theater in the country.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Samdrup Jongkhar
• Commons contains images or other files on Samdrup Jongkhar

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