National Memorial Chorten.

Unlike most stupas in Bhutan, the National Memorial Chorten does not house human remains. Built in 1974 to honor the country’s third king, this striking Tibetan-style white structure with golden spires is instead a living temple. Inside its unique, vase-shaped frame are multiple floors of elaborate shrines, vivid paintings, and mandalas dedicated to protective Buddhist deities. Yet the real draw for travelers is the vibrant, daily rhythm of Bhutanese devotion. From dawn until dusk, Thimphu residents of all generations gather here to walk clockwise around the monument, spin the giant red prayer wheels, and light butter lamps. It is one of the capital's most visible landmarks, offering an intimate, unvarnished look at active Buddhist practice rather than a static museum experience.