The National Museum occupies the Ta Dzong, a circular 17th-century watchtower built to defend the valley from Tibetan invaders. The conical building is itself the museum's most striking object: thick stone walls, narrow slit windows, and a spiral interior that climbs through six floors. The collection covers Bhutanese painting and textiles, religious art (including a notable set of thangkas), masks used in the cham dances at tsechu festivals, ancient weapons and armour, and the country's natural history.
A short uphill walk from Rinpung Dzong; the path between the two is a worthwhile sight in itself, offering the best ground-level view of the dzong below. Allow about an hour for the museum. Bags and cameras must be left at the entrance. The building was damaged in the 2011 earthquake and parts of the collection were displayed in an adjacent annex during the long restoration; the original tower has now reopened in full.