punakha dzong: also known as druk pungthang dechhen phrodang or “the palace of great happiness”, arguably the most beautiful of all the dzongs in bhutan, it was built in 1637 at the confluence the pho chu and mo chu rivers. the only way to access the dzong is though a bridge. it has been damaged 6 times by fire, once by flood and once by an earthquake. it was the second dzong to be built in bhutan and was the seat of government when punakha was the capital of bhutan. the dzong is the winter home for the dratsang (official monk body). during this period parts of the dzong is closed to public. the annual punakha tshechu (festival) is held here. the best time to see the dzong is in spring when lilac jacaranda blossoms.