Paro is the site of Bhutan's only international airport and, for most visitors, the first glimpse of the country. The town sits in a broad, fertile valley in the shadow of Mount Chomolhari (7,320 metres), surrounded by terraced rice paddies and traditional farmhouses.
Despite being little more than a large village, Paro rewards several days. The valley was once the capital of western Bhutan and is dense with historic sites. The Ta Dzong, a 17th-century watchtower, now houses the National Museum. Below it stands the Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest fortress-monasteries in the country, used as a location in Bertolucci's Little Buddha. The 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, is another highlight.
The most famous sight is the Taktsang Monastery — the Tiger's Nest — built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor. The hike up takes two to three hours and is steep, but the setting is extraordinary. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew to this ledge on the back of a tiger.
The weekend market is lively and colourful, with stalls selling chillies, grain, and local produce. The Paro Tsechu, one of Bhutan's most important festivals, is held in late March and features masked dances and religious ceremonies. Paro is about 55 kilometres by road west of Thimphu.