Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [76]
DSB Books (Map; 323123; dsb@druknet.bt; Chang Lam) Probably Thimphu’s best selection of coffee-table and other books on Buddhism, Bhutan and the region. Particularly good for Bhutanese and Indian newspapers. On the ground floor of Jojo’s Shopping Complex; enter from the lane behind Chang Lam.
Megah Books (Map; 321063; Wogzin Lam) Has a smaller selection that includes some dusty, hard-to-find-elsewhere books on Bhutan.
Pekhang Bookshop (Map; 323094; Norzin Lam) Somewhat hidden in the same building as the Luger Cinema; carries lots of stationery supplies.
Emergency
Ambulance ( 112)
Fire ( 110)
Police ( 113)
Internet Access
There are a dozen or so internet cafés spread around town, all charging Nu 50 to 70 per hour. Several hotels have rudimentary business centres with internet access, charging considerably more.
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THIMPHU IN…
Most of the major attractions will already be included in your itinerary. Here are a few suggestions if your itinerary includes some free time in Thimphu.
24 hours
After your hotel breakfast head down to the weekend market and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the produce stalls before crossing the atmospheric cantilever bridge, Kuendeyling Baazam, to the trinkets, artefacts and clothing stalls on the east bank of the Wang Chhu. If the market isn’t on, check out the Chamlimgithang Archery Ground for activity or drop into the National Textile Museum, Painting School or VAST to watch artisans at work or find that unique souvenir. Wander back to your hotel for lunch or visit a local momo (steamed or fried dumpling) restaurant on Norzim Lam, the famed Swiss Bakery, or the trendy Art Cafe for coffee and cake. Round off the afternoon by checking out the numerous shopping centres for handicrafts, books, trekking equipment or Bhutan’s extravagant postage stamps. As beer o’clock approaches head towards one of Thimphu’s friendly bars, such as Benez or the Zone. After-dinner entertainment can be found in one of the many discos or a late-night haunt such as the Om Bar.
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Atsara Business Centre (Map; City Centre Complex, Wogzin Lam; 9am-10pm)
Book World (Map; Clocktower Sq; 9am-6pm) Comfy and fast, but only two terminals.
Cyber Café (Map; Chorten Lam; 9am-8pm) Upstairs, next to Plums Café.
Norling Cyberworld (Map; Norling Centre, Norzin Lam; 9am-10pm)
Laundry
Most hotels offer laundry services, but none has in-house dry-cleaning facilities. Dry-cleaning takes two days at Kelly Dry Cleaners (Map; 326434; Centre Mall, Norzin Lam), next to the Luger Cinema. The larger hotels have clothes dryers and provide same-day service. During wet weather smaller hotels may return your laundry damp, or even the following day. If you are on a tight schedule, ask about the drying facilities before you hand in your laundry.
Libraries
Jigme Dorje Wangchuck Public Library (Map; 322814; Norzin Lam; 12.30-5.30pm Mon-Friday, 9am-1pm Sat) This small library has a dog-eared collection of paperback novels as well as a few reference books.
National Library (Map; 322885; Pedzoe Lam; 9.30am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri) A better resource for books about Bhutan. Though the selection of books in English is small, this is also a worthwhile cultural sight. Click here for more details.
Medical Services
Pharmacies can supply medications, including over-the-counter antibiotics, for travel-related conditions:
City Pharmacy (Map; 321382; City Centre Complex, Wogzin Lam) A well-stocked pharmacy, upstairs in the back of the complex.
India Bhutan Friendship Hospital (Map; 322485; Chorten Lam)
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (Map; 322496, 322497; Gongphel Lam) The best hospital in Bhutan.
Norling Medical (Map; Norling Centre, Norzin Lam) Opposite the Hotel Tandin.
Money
Most hotels can change money at government rates, although they usually have a limited supply of cash. A few places advertise that they accept Amex and Visa cards but, apart from in the handicraft shops, card transactions are a rare event (Click here