"The oldest dzong in Bhutan, built on the stomach of a subdued demoness, where the idea of unified spiritual-temporal governance was born"
Simtokha Dzong
Thimphu, Thimphu District, Bhutan
Simtokha Dzong is where the dzong concept began. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on a hill five kilometres south of Thimphu, it was the first structure in Bhutan to merge monastic and administrative functions under one roof. The site was chosen because a demoness had been subdued and trapped in the rock beneath — the name means 'on the demon's stomach.' Three hundred slate carvings of Buddhist saints line its prayer wheel circuit.
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Quick Facts
Location
Thimphu, Thimphu District, Bhutan
Coordinates
27.4382, 89.6697
Last Updated
Mar 9, 2026
Learn More
Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal as the first dzong in Bhutan, Simtokha established the model of combined monastic and administrative authority.
Origin Story
A demoness haunted the hill, harming travellers who stopped overnight. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal subdued her and banished her into the rock. The dzong was built enclosing the rock, trapping the demon beneath. The name derives from sinmo (demon), do (stomach), kha (on) — the building that sits on the demon's stomach.
Key Figures
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
Built the first dzong in 1629, subduing the demoness and establishing the model for all subsequent dzongs
Chogyal Minjur Tenpa
3rd Desi of Bhutan, who installed the 300 slate carvings in 1671
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Third King of Bhutan, who established the Buddhist School of Linguistics here in 1961
Spiritual Lineage
Simtokha belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu lineage, established in Bhutan by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. As the first dzong, it represents the origin point of the entire Bhutanese dzong system.
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