Dewathang

Dewathang (also spelt 'Deothang') is in Samdrup Jongkhar District in eastern Bhutan.

The main bazaar of the village stretches along a single, tree-lined street, giving it the feel of an Indian hill station rather than a typical Bhutanese settlement. The presence of Royal Bhutan Army barracks dominates the entrance to the village, while the hillside beyond is home to a technical college, a large hospital, and Deothang Middle Secondary School. The significant number of army families and students has made the village relatively prosperous. Its cooler, more pleasant climate—especially compared to Samdrup Jongkhar, 18 kilometers downhill on the plains—adds to its appeal. Overlooking the village from a nearby hilltop is the Chökyi Gyatso Institute of Buddhist Studies, a Nyingma tradition college founded by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, a renowned Buddhist teacher and filmmaker.

During the Duar War (1864-65), the town, which was known at the time as Dewangiri, was taken by the British and a small garrison was based there. The Bhutanese regained control in 1865.

Domestic: Yongphula in Trashigang - 6-7 hours. International: Guwahati, in the neighbouring Indian state of Assam - 2 and a half hours.

From Thimphu: via India - 14 hours (terminates in Samdrup Jongkhar)

From Phuentsholing: via India - 9 hours (terminates in Samdrup Jongkhar)

Deothang is on the main Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar highway.

As the area between the highway and the village is under army command, vehicles coming from Chyoki Gyatso Institute and the direction of Trashigang cannot enter the village directly, but need to drive around the army controlled area and enter from the road below.

By taxi

It is a thirty minute drive from Samdrup Jongkhsr to Dewathang and costs between Nu500-600. (Updated 0ct 2024)

This small village is easily covered on foot.

• Chokyi Gyatso Institute of Buddhist Studies. Elegant and bright. Mix of traditional Himalayan and Indian Plains' architecture. A display of artistically preserved black and white photographs of past masters and Dharma monarchs and protectors. Located in a lush forest.
• Views over the Himalayan foothills as they spill out onto the Assam plain below.

• Chokyi Gyatso Institute of Buddhist Studies - An institute founded by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Many of the monks speak English and would be happy to field questions on Buddhist philosophy.

• Yosal Enterprise, Main Street. +975 17970700. (Take a left at the stupa that marks the entrance to the village. Yosal is a one minute drive on the left). A small, but well-stocked supermarket. Toiletries. Snacks. Vegetables and fruit.

• Himalaya Restaurant, Main Street (take a left at the stupa at the entrance to the town. The restaurant is a two minute drive on the left). 17781645. Fast food. Pizza, Real coffee. Acceptable standard. Uninspired decor. Friendly service.
• Yang Yang's Corner (left side of the bazaar when entering from the main highway) offers good, simple meals - the cheese momos are especially delicious.

• Namtok Cafe, Chokyi Gyatso Institute (on the left immediately after entering the gate of the institute). A small cafe serving the monastic community and visitors. Good coffee. Cakes. Good place to strike up informal conversations with the monks.

• TN Cafe [1], 2F. row of buildings behind the Main Street (turn right at the stupa at the entrance to the town. Cafe is immediately on the right behind the BOB bank) +975 7733125 . A quirky little cafe with lots of bamboo and wood. Full range of coffees. Tasty finger food, pizza, and light meals. View over mountains. Fast and friendly service.

There are a number of small guesthouses in the town.

• Yezhin Wangyel Toh Zakhang, Directly opposite the entrance to the Chokyi Gyatso Institute on the main highway. +975 17621370. A simple guesthouse. Clean. Friendly service. Restaurant. Convenient for visiting Chokyi Gyatso Institute.

• Dungsam Trashiling, Trashiling (A few kilometers east of the town.), ☏ +975 77421427, [email protected]. A simple single story resort. Chalet-type rooms. Quiet and pleasant environment. Views over valley. Restaurant and bar. (updated Nov 2024)

• Assam
• Samdrup Jongkhar
• Tashiyangtse - a day's drive. Many sacred sites. Chorten Kora Stupa.
• Trashigang - a six to seven hour drive