National Library and Archives of Bhutan
National Library and Archives of Bhutan
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
150 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
72
Average
39
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Namgay Adventure Travels
Thimphu, Bhutan120 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
The National Library is not just a place to read books, it's a sacred site that must be respected. As you remove your shoes and hats, take a moment to appreciate the holy Buddhist scriptures and the world's largest photo book.
Written 20 March 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, AZ1,880 contributions
Nov 2019
The National Library and Archives of Bhutan has a primary function of "collecting and preserving Bhutanese literature on religion, culture, history and social traditions." The Library building is a nice example of Bhutan architecture that is unique to this country - very distinctive and good looking architecture. One of the Library's main claim to fame it that it has "the largest published book in the world" (largest in physical size). This book is very large and it is enclosed in a large glass covered case - nice looking picture book.
The Library has 4 floors levels that contains Bhutanese literature from ancient to present day. Our small group tour was allowed to roam through the different floor levels to just look at the different varieties of literature documenting Bhutan's history, religion and lifestyle.
Note: Inside the library, there are signs posted with "No Photographs allowed". However, photographs of the library building is allowed on the outside.
The Library has 4 floors levels that contains Bhutanese literature from ancient to present day. Our small group tour was allowed to roam through the different floor levels to just look at the different varieties of literature documenting Bhutan's history, religion and lifestyle.
Note: Inside the library, there are signs posted with "No Photographs allowed". However, photographs of the library building is allowed on the outside.
Written 14 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.
wallacejain
New Delhi, India1,442 contributions
Nov 2019
Located on the northern end of THIMPU, Bhutan’s National Library and Archives, houses a collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. It was established in 1967 To provide a permanent home for the sacred religious books and manuscripts. Present building was established under the patronage of HM Queen Ashi Phuntso Choden (1911–2003). The present four-storeyed eight-cornered traditional building got going in 1984 and although it is not very large compared to other national libraries, it is an important step in the preservation of present and future documents on Bhutan for future generations. All buildings are festooned with multiple pictures of the royal family and this place is no exception. Since photography is not allowed inside there is nothing much of interest to a non Bhutanese. Mercifully this place has no entry charge. See it if you have the time but it can be put on the lower priority items.
Written 18 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.
Amanda P
Sydney, Australia235 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
We enjoyed going to the Library. The largest booked in Bhutan is there - you don't get to turn any pages though, unless you are prepared a hefty sum!. We enjoyed as we love books. This a historical library rather than a 'normal' lending library. It's probably not everyone's cup of tea, but was interesting for us. We spent about 20 mins there.
Written 11 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
Apr 2019 • Family
Mesmerizing library experience. old bhutanese religious documents kept here. world largest book also kept here. library with good interiors and architecture.
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.
Nunngo
ACT1,604 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
Interesting library with plenty on display but not enough to spend more than half hour. Old photographs of past kings were good to look at.
Written 16 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.
Sharad Shrimali
Ahmedabad, India405 contributions
May 2019 • Family
The National Library of Bhutan located in Thimphu houses many historic manuscripts and books, alongside an array of photographs depicting India-Bhutan relationship and the cultural practices of Bhutan. It also houses the world's biggest published book, contained in a giant glass container.
It has three-four floors. Doesn't require an entry fee. It was on our pre-planned itinerary but even if it was not to be, I would've visited it anyway.
Worth visiting.
It has three-four floors. Doesn't require an entry fee. It was on our pre-planned itinerary but even if it was not to be, I would've visited it anyway.
Worth visiting.
Written 26 May 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.
robert gibbons
16 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
interesting to see all the old scrolls, and the largest book in the world, couldnt take a pic, it was too big.
Written 26 May 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.
Sherree
Chiang Mai, Thailand46 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Included in our itinerary, so we went along. Apparently has the world's largest book - it is big, but I'm not sure if it's truly the world's largest! Can take photos inside.
Upper floors have lots of ancient texts in cases (wrapped individually in material) - all the upper floors are pretty much the same, with different photos hanging around. Don't need to spend loads of time here - unless your guide is intent on telling you lots of history of Bhutan, details of the photos, etc.
Upper floors have lots of ancient texts in cases (wrapped individually in material) - all the upper floors are pretty much the same, with different photos hanging around. Don't need to spend loads of time here - unless your guide is intent on telling you lots of history of Bhutan, details of the photos, etc.
Written 25 May 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.
SquashAddict
East Sussex, UK603 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
It's just a library, with a large book (our guide said it's the largest book in the world - though I'm not so sure that's accurate!). The upper 3 floors have many ancient Buddhist manuscripts wrapped up inside cloth - they're all the same. Interesting, but don't need to spend a lot of time looking at it all!
Written 24 May 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.
manu k
11 contributions
What are the entry-fee charges for National Handicrafts Emporium, National Library, Takin Presevagion center, Taschicho Dzong and Buddha Point ?
sherabtenzin360
Thimphu, Bhutan78 contributions
National Handicraft Emporium=Nu.150.
National Library=Nu.100
Takin Preserve=Nu.100
Tashichhodzong=Nu.300
Buddha Point=Free
(Tourists on minimum daily package don't have to pay those fees)
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Frequently Asked Questions about National Library and Archives of Bhutan
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