Gelephu is a large town in Sarpang District in Central Bhutan, on the Indian border and close to the Royal Manas National Park.

Understand

The town serves as an entry point for Bhutanese and Indians entering and leaving the country - other nationalities are not allowed to enter Bhutan at Gelephu except in exceptional situations and after receiving permission from the central government. Unlike other Bhutanese towns, which are either crammed in a valley or squashed on a hilltop, Gelephu lies on a vast plain. As a result, it's very spacious, with pleasant villas and apartment blocks next to tree-lined streets and surrounded by green spaces. Like its sister town of Phuentsholing, Gelephu serves as a winter residence for people escaping the cold weather of Thimphu, and a winter relocation site for a number of Bumthang-based monasteries. The town has a population of around 10,000 (2017).

Gelephu has been chosen as the site of a new mega-city, 'Gelephu Mindfulness City' (GMC) - https://gmc.bt/. Development will be based on the Singapore model, but with Buddhist influences, innovative architecture reflecting Bhutanese culture, and infrastructure that is run solely on green energy. Construction of the city is expected to take a decade, and so the Gelephu Plain will be a construction site from 2025. The town's domestic airport is being expanded and will soon accommodate international flights.

Street of old houses near the referral hospital

Get in

By plane

Gelephu has a small domestic airport, though flights are irregular and schedules need to be checked and rechecked.

By train

The nearest railway station is New Bongaigaon in the neighboring Indian state of Assam, around 50 km from Gelephu, and takes about one and half hours to reach by car.

By bus

There are daily buses from Thimphu, departing at 7, 8 and 8:30AM, and the journey takes around 7 hours.

Get around

The compact town centre can be covered on foot, but a taxi or personal vehicle will be required to travel around the suburbs.

By bike

• Mountain Bike Shop, Main Town, ☏ +975 17920675, [email protected]. Bikes for hire. (updated Jan 2023)

See

Gelephu apartment block among trees

Monasteries

• Nimalung Monastery - a small, quaint monastery in front of Kuku Grand Hotel. It is the winter residence for the monks of the more famous Nimalung Monastery in Chhumey.
• Pema Yoedling Monastery (locally known as Phurba Lhakang/Monastery), Pelrithang. A monastery in the lineage of the late yogi HH Kyabje Chadral Sangye Dorji Rinpoche. Known for taking care of sick animals and saving the lives of animals destined for slaughter through its charitable arm, Jangsa Animal Trust.
• Shivalaya Mandir. A Hindu Temple constructed under the command of HM the King, and inaugurated in 2018. The complex is a twenty minute drive from the centre of town.
• Tali Monastery - ten minutes drive from the center of town. Founded in 1971, the monastery is home to statues of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Buddha Shakyamuin, and Guru Rinpoche.
• Zangtopelri Monastery - Located in a three-storey building, the monastery houses statues of Guru Nangsi Zilnon, Guru Rinpoche, Lhacham Mendral Rawn, and Khando Yeshi Tshogyel

Wildlife

The Gelephu area is home to a plethora of wildlife, such as elephants, peacocks, leopards, and even the occasional tiger.

Do

• Bhutan Centennial Distillery (Army Welfare Project) (near Trongsa Highway), ☏ +975 6252791. M-Sat - 8AM-5PM. Founded in 1976, Centennial is Bhutan's only grain based distillery. Tours available 

Buy

• Incense - Kuengacholing incense (https://www.facebook.com/kuengacholing/) are made in Gelephu and sold locally.
• Oranges - like most of southern Bhutan, the Gelephu area is known for sweet and juicy oranges.

Eat

• Dragon Cafe, Jampeling (facing the football ground. Near Hotel Kingacholing), ☏ +975 17448394. Fi-We 10AM-8PM. A lovely restaurant with outdoor seating in a garden setting. Notably the best pizza in town. Coffee. (updated Jan 2023)
• Pool Cafe, Rabdeling (below forest checkpost. Near Hotel KuKu Grand), ☏ +975 17554808. Tu-Su 10AM-9PM. Simple and open-style restaurant. Pizza. Western and Indian cuisine. Hot and cold drinks. Swimming pool. (updated Jan 2023)
• South Indian Hotel, Gaden Lam, Main Town. Daily 9AM-9PM. Authentic and tasty south Indian cuisine. Inexpensive. (updated Jan 2023)

Drink

Coffee

Tali Monastery, near the centre of town

• CoffeeCat Cafe, Jampeling (near referral hospital), ☏ +975 77877892. Daily 7AM-7:30PM. A small cafe with piled cushions and wooden crates. A good selection of books. Good coffee and light meals. (updated Mar 2021)
• Gelephu Bakes, Jampeling (near front entrance to the referral hospital), ☏ +975 17307817. Open Tu-Su. Reputed to have the best cakes in town. quality pizzas and puff pastry items. Small sitting area. Good coffee. (updated Jan 0203)
• Zumkar Cafe, Rabdeyling, Gelephu, ☏ +975 17975757. WeM 10:30AM-10PM. Full range of coffees, pizza, burgers, and momos. Donuts and a small selection of cakes. Comfortable sitting area. Pleasant atmosphere. Friendly service. Small attached bookshop. (updated Jan 2023)

Sleep

The streets of the main town are lined with budget walk-in hotels.

Budget

• ADD Inn, Pelrithang (N), ☏ +975 17150999, [email protected]. Homely and cosy hotel with inner courtyard. Restaurant specializing in local cuisine. Bar (updated Jan 2023)

Mid range

• Hotel 8 Jordan, Throngsa-Gelephu Highway (above referral hospital), ☏ +975 17559995, [email protected]. A bright and cosy hotel. Comfortable rooms. A few minutes walk from the town centre. Local and international cuisine. (updated Jan 2023)
• Hotel Kingacholing, Pendhay Lam (Next to the public football ground), ☏ +975 251150, [email protected]. A tourist stand hotel in a central location. Restaurant serving Indian and Bhutanese dishes. (updated Jan 2023)
• The Kuku Grand Hotel, ☏ +975 17440595, [email protected]. A centrally located 3-star rated hotel. Large pleasant rooms. Restaurant and bar facilities. (updated Jan 2023)

Cope

• Regional Immigration Office, Gelephu-Trongsa Highway (near Hotel Kuku Grand). Visa on arrival and extensions, route permits. (updated Jan 2023)

Go next

• Gelephu Tsachu (hotsprings) - a number of five tub wells serve for communal, mixed bathing (swim wear or similar must be worn) at the site, which is 15 km from Gelephu Town. Crowded in the winter months,
• Royal Manas National Park - a 1,000-km² park. Home to elephants, leopards, and tigers and wide range of sub-tropical flora.