From ancient murals and suspended bridges to amazing architecture and opulent settings, Steve Thio checks out choice places for amazing wedding portraits.
Special thanks to Druk Asia Bhutan Travel specialists
(www.drukasia.com), Cipto and Joni, DrukAir Singapore (www.drukair.com.sg), our guide Chencho Bull & driver Thinley Dorji.
Thanks also to the wonderful staff at COMO Uma Paro and
COMO Uma Punakha hotels for their wonderful hospitality, attentive service & warm friendship.
DrukAir Singapore flies to Bhutan three times a week from Singapore Changi Airport, with a 45-minute stopover at Kolkata.
Photography: Skyy Woo
Styling: Steve Thio
Hair & Makeup: Khai Lee (Hp: 9675-9639), using Bed Head By Tigi & By Terry
Mode: DJ/Mannequin
Hair accessories: Gioielli
Videography: Jimmy Tan
Built near the famous 108 chortens at Dochula Pass, this relatively new temple on a hill offers beautiful 360-degree views. On a clear day, you can see the Himalayan mountains. The temple itself contains 108 Buddhist paintings by monks.
Best portrait spots: The temple has some of the most vividly colourful wall murals. It also has a stately gilded copper door that’s a spectacular backdrop. Also suitable: intricately carved, grand facades.
For more information: www.tourism.gov.bt/map/dochula
This 381ha piece of forest conservation land surrounds the Buddha Dordenma statue, which is just over 51m tall, and sits on a hill facing the southern entrance to Thimphu.
Best portrait spots: The best location requires a 20-minute hike up into the mountain where you will find hundreds of colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. These against the towering cloud-tipped mountains make a great panoramic backdrop for your portait. The view of Thimphu city is another breathtaking angle.
For more information: www.tourism.gov.bt/western-bhutan/buddha-dordenma-statue
One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang was built in the 17th century by Tibetan Emperor Songstan Gampo, and is said to contain many spiritual treasures. Staunch Buddhists walk around the building numerous times to spin the many small prayer wheels that encircle the entire structure.
Best Portrait Spot: Behind the temple are three huge golden prayer wheels in an elaborately carved, colourful shelter. A grand backdrop for sure.
For more information: www.drukasia.com/bhutan/bhutan-landmarks/kyichu-lhakhang/
Home to the country’s Institute for Language and Cultural Studies and a monastic school, the dzong has grand staircases and stunning murals on almost every interior wall. No photography is allowed in the temple’s inner sanctum, but there are more than enough surrounding painted walls for a great shot.
Best portrait spots: The inner courtyard staircase leading to the temple, as well as the spacious entrance foyer which has carved pillars and painted walls.
For more information: www.tourism.gov.bt/western-bhutan/simtokha-dzong.
Tachigang Lhakhang was built by Tangtong Gyalpo, a great Buddhist, yogi, physician, blacksmith, architect, and a pioneering civil engineer, who had a vision of an emanation of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva – “the lord who looks upon the world with compassion” – and decided to built the temple as well as an iron suspension in the early 15th century. Tachogang lies on the way from Paro to the capital Thimpu. One of many iron suspension bridges built by Gyalpo, it straddles a river of rushing water and crossing it can be a challenge for the faint-hearted as it swings with every step and gust of wind. You can also see the waters rushing by below you through the cables. The bridge is festooned with hundreds of colourful prayer flags.
Best portrait spot: A few steps past the entrance and you’ll find the perfect angle for your shot, complete with hundreds of colourful flags, mountains, and the beautiful Tachogang Lhakhang Dzong at the other end. Just be careful not to snag your gown on the cables. My advice? Trade your heels for sneakers when posing.
For more information: www.tripadvisor.com.sg
The most iconic temple and tourist destination in Bhutan, Takstang translates to Tiger’s Nest. It clings to a sheer cliff face 914m above the Paro valley. To get to it, you must trek a thousand steps or more for up to three hours through beautiful, shady pine forests. Or you can actually hire porters to help with your equipment and luggage, and ride a pony halfway to the temple. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.
Best Portrait Spots: For the best angle, you must reach a viewing platform directly opposite the temple. It’s right before the final leg of the journey, and chances are that you will have to wait for the clouds to clear to get that perfect shot. Another spot is on the bridge that straddles a waterfall and small river. The thousands of colourful flags strung across the bridge give it an almost fantastical feel.
For more information: www.tourism.gov.bt/contact/taktsang-lhakhang-2
See also: Out Now! Couture Dresses, Lavish Weddings & Vintage Settings From The Female Brides October Issue