Discover Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage with a visit to the Golden Buddha Statue and the National Memorial Chorten. Erected in 1974 in memory of the third Druk Gyalpo (King), the National Memorial Chorten sits at the heart of Thimpu, its gleaming white walls and dazzling golden spires visible from afar. Adorned with vibrantly painted carvings, mandalas and statues, it’s worth taking a moment to sit and observe the elderly Bhutanese who come each day to walk around the exterior, deep in meditative silence as they spin the red prayer wheels.Visible from many points in the city, the 169-foot Golden Buddha Statue statue is an impressive sight. But as you’ll discover, the true beauty lies out of sight in the form of 125,000 miniature Buddhas contained inside its chest.