Interesting facts

1. Phuentsholing is the second-largest city in Bhutan by population and economic output. 2. The city shares a porous, bustling border with the Indian town of Jaigaon. 3. The iconic Bhutan Gate separates Phuentsholing from Jaigaon, marking a stark contrast in architecture and urban planning. 4. Unlike the rest of Bhutan, Phuentsholing has a tropical, hot, and humid climate. 5. Its elevation is only about 293 meters (961 feet) above sea level, drastically lower than the capital, Thimphu. 6. Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, a small temple representing the heaven of Guru Rinpoche, sits in a park in the center of town. 7. The Norgay Crocodile Breeding Center houses over 30 mugger and gharial crocodiles. 8. Karbandi Monastery (Rinchending Goemba), located above the town, was founded in 1967 by the Royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choden. 9. Phuentsholing is the headquarters for the Bank of Bhutan and Bhutan National Bank's southern operations. 10. It serves as the entry point for more than 90% of goods imported into Bhutan. 11. The local currency, the Ngultrum, is pegged at par with the Indian Rupee, and INR is widely accepted in the town. 12. It is home to the College of Science and Technology, Bhutan's first engineering college. 13. Prior to 2020, Indian nationals did not need a permit to enter Phuentsholing town, but regulations have since been updated to require proper documentation at the pedestrian terminal. 14. The town is administered by a Thromde (municipality), led by an elected Thrompon (Mayor). 15. Pasakha, located a few kilometers away, is Bhutan's largest industrial estate. 16. The highway from Phuentsholing to Thimphu was the first motorable road built in Bhutan, completed in 1962. 17. A large percentage of the buildings in Phuentsholing feature traditional Bhutanese architectural elements mandated by national law. 18. The Amo Chhu (Toorsa River) flowing through the town originates in the Chumbi Valley of Tibet. 19. The city is a melting pot of Bhutanese and Indian cultures, prominently reflected in the local food scene. 20. Phuentsholing is the starting point for the famous overland tourist journey into the Bhutanese Himalayas.