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What is the capital of Bhutan?

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The capital of Bhutan is Thimphu

Thimphu runs north to south along the west bank of the valley of the Wang Chhu in western central Bhutan, at an altitude ranging from 2,248 to 2,648 metres.

Thimphu is the capital and seat of government of Bhutan, a role it has held since 1955. Bhutan itself has an estimated population of 796,682 (2025).

Thimphu is also the largest city in Bhutan, which is the usual arrangement, though it is far from universal: see the countries where capital and largest city differ.

Thimphu at a glance

City population114,551 (2017)
Pronunciationtim-POOH
Country🇧🇹 Bhutan
Capital since1955
Largest city in BhutanThimphu
Time zoneUTC+06:00 (BTT)
CurrencyBhutanese ngultrum (BTN)

About Thimphu

Thimphu has been the capital of Bhutan since 1955, when it replaced Punakha as the seat of government; the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, officially declared Thimphu the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan in 1961.

Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan until Thimphu replaced it in 1955.

Thimphu is the highest capital city in Asia and the fifth highest in the world by altitude.

It is one of the few capitals with no airport of its own: visitors arrive through Paro Airport, 52 kilometres away by road.

City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Thimphu.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Bhutan?
The capital of Bhutan is Thimphu.
Is Thimphu the largest city in Bhutan?
Yes. Thimphu is both the capital and the largest city of Bhutan.
What is the population of Thimphu?
Thimphu has a population of about 114,551 (2017).
Where is Thimphu located?
Thimphu runs north to south along the west bank of the valley of the Wang Chhu in western central Bhutan, at an altitude ranging from 2,248 to 2,648 metres.
How do you pronounce Thimphu?
Thimphu is pronounced tim-POOH, following the English respelling given by Wikipedia: Thimphu.
When did Thimphu become the capital of Bhutan?
Thimphu has been the capital of Bhutan since 1955, when it replaced Punakha as the seat of government; the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, officially declared Thimphu the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan in 1961.
What was the capital of Bhutan before Thimphu?
Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan until Thimphu replaced it in 1955.
What time zone is Thimphu in?
Thimphu uses UTC+06:00 (BTT).
What currency is used in Thimphu?
Thimphu, like the rest of Bhutan, uses the Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN, symbol Nu.).

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See the full profile of Bhutan on its country page, or browse every capital city.

Capital and country data from open datasets; city and metropolitan populations are hand-curated per city and cited where they are shown. Populations of countries come from the World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL). Full sources and vintage on the data page. Last updated . Report a correction.