Sarpang
Sarpang Dzongkhag is located in the central part of southern Bhutan, bordering to Assam state in India. Sarpang is one of the three gateways to Bhutan from India through Gelephu. This place played a vital role in the past. Because of its strategic location, the place functioned as the headquarter of administration of the Southern Bhutan. Before 1955, the system of governance was from the central where the governance was “Babu Khaley”. The head was called as Babu. In 1955, Lhotsham Chichab (commissioner of southern region) was institutionalized till it was altered to Dasho Dzongdag with the creation of Sarpang District in 1973.
Sarpang district is mostly ihabited by the Lhotshampas (Nepali speaking Bhutanese people). Ngalongs, Sarchops, Bumthaps, Khengpa people also inhabit this region making this region ethnically diverse.
A good part of this district consists of environmentally protected areas, the uninhabited Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in the west along the India border, a part of northern region is a part of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and eastern and southeastern Sarpang District lie within the Royal Manas National Park. Sarpang is bisected by a wide swath of biological corridor connecting all three environmentally protected areas and the country’s only and first safari experience will soon be offered here.
Places of interests and Experiences in Sarpang
Gelephu Town
Gelephu Town shares its border with India making it a hub for cross-border trade. Gelephu is a warm, fertile region with plenty of rainfall. Gelephu is one of the areas through which visitors can enter Bhutan overland through the Indian state of Assam ( However, the permission for entry shall depend upon the situation at the time of travel ) and it is also a gateway to the Royal Manas National Park, the oldest nature preserve in the Kingdom of Bhutan. It’s incredible biodiversity includes hundreds of rare animal and plant species that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world such as Golden Langurs, Gangetic Dolphins and the Asian One-horned Rhinoceros. The park is the most biologically diverse protected area in the kingdom as well as one of the most outstanding nature preserves worldwide.
Gelephu Hotspring
This Hot Spring is mainly frequented by the local residents but in winter people from all over Bhutan journey here to cure themselves of diseases.
Domestic Airport
This is one of the new domestic airports that have recently been opened in the country. The inaugural flight was launched on 25th of October 2012. This airport is one of the major keys to the strengthening links with and opening up more rural areas of the country.