Asia
Bhutan
Thimphu District
Thimphu
Places to visit in Thimphu
National Institute for Zorig Chusum
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National Institute for Zorig Chusum

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See all things to do
National Institute for Zorig Chusum
4.5
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
93 within 5 kms
Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant
152
81 m₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
San Maru Restaurant
77
0.6 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Asian • Korean • Vegetarian Friendly
ZaSa
73
0.9 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Chinese • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Fu Lu Shou
29
0.8 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Chinese • Bar • Asian
Apa's Restaurant
1
0.8 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Chinese • Indian • Asian
The Station
5
0.8 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Bar • Cafe • Fast food
Chig-JA-Gye Restaurant
31
1 km₹₹₹₹ • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Yu Wang Restaurant & Cafe
10
0.9 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Bar • Cafe • Asian
Karma's Coffee
107
1.1 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Cafe • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly
Seasons Restaurant
248
1.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Pizza • European • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
25 within 10 kms
National Library and Archives of Bhutan
150
0.1 kmLibraries
Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan
354
0.6 kmSpeciality Museums
Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong)
831
0.9 kmReligious Sites • Government Buildings
Bhutan Post Office Headquarters
481
1.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Changangkha Lhakhang
156
1.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
National Folk Heritage Museum
237
1.2 kmHistory Museums
Simply Bhutan Museum
140
1.3 kmHistory Museums
Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten)
1,079
2 kmReligious Sites
Clock Tower Square
455
1.6 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers
Buddha Dordenma
2,261
4.6 kmMonuments & Statues
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
101 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
38
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Peter R
Dartford, UK1,207 contributions
Keeping traditional trades alive
Sep 2023 • Couples
Set up by the government this institute was set up to keep the crafts of Bhutan alive. The students both male and female can choose which of the traditional crafts they wish to follow and then are given an apprenticeship for 3 or 4 years. There are instructors who teach the students their chosen art. You are allowed to walk, stand and watch the students working and can buy in the on site gift shop.
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AZCasualTraveler
Mesa, AZ1,885 contributions
Zorig Chusum - Bhutan's 13 Art Forms
Nov 2019
The National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu was created by the government to promote Bhutan's traditional contemporary art forms. I have read that the words "Zorig Chusum" literally means "Thirteen Crafts." The thirteen Bhutan art forms are: Traditional Painting, Sculpturing, Wood Carving, Calligraphy, Paper making, Bronze Casting, Embroidery, Weaving, Carpentry, Masonry, Bamboo and cane weaving, Gold/Silver Smithy, Black smithy.

The Institute has various classrooms with instructors who teach students these 13 art forms. After the students are taught these various art forms, they are then tested to determine their knowledge of these art forms. When our small group tour was visiting the Institute, there were several classrooms that were "Closed for Testing" with a sign on the door(s) indicating that testing was in progress. The items or goods that are made in the classrooms are being sold at the Institute's gift shop or "Showroom", and at various gift shops throughout Thimphu city.
In summary, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum was quite interesting - knowing that Bhutan's government is genuinely interested in keeping Bhutan's rich history in it's 13 art forms.
Written 15 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dianedinky
Dunfermline, UK734 contributions
Educational
Oct 2019
I had no idea that Bhutan offered this for any "non-academic" students so they could equally learn a skill and get employment. A real eye-opener and the quality of the work produced was amazing. I bought a nice wood carving.
Why do more countries not do this? UK take note!!!
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy A
Portland, OR27 contributions
Inspirational
Oct 2019
Exciting to see the painters, carver, metal weaving, etc crafts people in training. Incredible did cation and skill.
Written 5 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HSeeingtheworld
Welwyn, UK614 contributions
Interesting visit
Oct 2019 • Couples
The 13 arts of Zurich chusum are painting, carpentry, carving, sculpture, casting, blacksmith, bamboo and cane craft, gold and silver smithing, weaving, embroidery, masonry, leather works and paper making.
Here you can watch the students learn their new skills and some of the pieces are available for purchase
Written 21 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JFBell
London, UK388 contributions
Fascinating
Oct 2019
This school was set up to try to improve employment for young Bhutanese. If accepted, each spends 6 years training in their craft. We saw wood carving, silversmithing, painting, sculpture and embroidery. Seeing these young people painstakingly following the given design for each project was simply incredible.
Written 17 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
792Carol_H
Newtown, Australia1,471 contributions
Very Interesting
May 2019
National Institute for Zorig Chusum provides instruction on Bhutan's 13 traditional arts.
This was quite interesting watching the students, wood carving, paint, sew, embroider and make statues from clay.

We realy enjoyed this, it was very interesting chatting to the students and teachers whilst watching them work their craft. The items they make are also for sale in the store.
Written 6 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PK Das
Mumbai, India5,272 contributions
National Institute for Zorig Chusum
May 2019 • Family
An institute for art & Craft which offers a formal course at various levels. One can visit the classroom to see how they are constructing the stuffs. Amazing....
Written 31 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelP2P
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA66 contributions
This kids are talented!
Jun 2019 • Family
The kids test to get in, after admittance there are different branches. Wood carving, slate, clay sculptures, painting, drawing, textiles, and I sure I've forgotten something. The spend several years coming here. Got to go into some classes to see the kids practicing!
Written 23 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suketu124
Ahmedabad, India71 contributions
Art school with beautiful architecture
Apr 2019 • Family
Different arts like clay, wood, paint, paper, handicraft etc. teaches here and also articles sold here. wood carving for mask making in different religious festivals, Bhuddha statue from clay and finishes, Bhutanese window paining , paper art . lovely to see all arts in one beautiful school.
Written 22 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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National Institute for Zorig Chusum (Thimphu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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