Punakha Dzong
Traditional Bhutanese builders · Punakha, Bhutan · 1638
Punakha Dzong stands at the meeting of two rivers, combining administrative and religious functions within a large fortified complex. White walls, timber galleries and layered roofs define a sequence of courts. The building's strong enclosure contrasts with the finer scale of interior craft and its open relationship with the surrounding valley. Visiting: Foreign visitors pay an entry fee and visits follow dress rules; the dzong at the river confluence is best seen from the cantilever bridge.