Haa

Haa Dzongkhag lies along the western border of Bhutan. To the northwest lies the autonomous region of Tibet, to the west is the Indian state of Sikkim and to the south is Samtse Dzongkhag. Located at an elevation of about 2,700 meters, Haa is the second least populated Dzongkhag in Bhutan, after Gasa, is an ideal day trip from Paro beyond the beautiful Chelila Pass (3,700 meters). Due to natural the terrain, the main crops grown in the valley are wheat, barley and sweet buckwheat and some rice is grown in the lower reaches of the valley. Potatoes, chillies, apples and other cash crops are grown by farmers on the valley floor, along terraced hillsides and in some of the more accessible side valleys.

Haa is home to the only strict nature reserve of Bhutan, named after the 5th king Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve is one the 10 protected areas of Bhutan, which are connected by biological corridors. Haa is also home to a couple of historical temples like lhakhang narpo (black temple) and lhakhang karpo (white temple) and shrouded in legendary stories of the local deity Aup Chundhu. During your visit to Bhutan, you will hear and see numerous stories and temples that are dedicated to him, especially if you visit Haa. With numerous beautiful hiking trails, The Norb Tshonna Patta Trek is also located here in Haa.

A special feature of the region and culture here is a new year celebration called Lomba. Celebrated by the Haaps (people of Haa) on the 29th day of the 10th Bhutanese month, is the only new year festival celebrated much earlier than people in other parts of Bhutan. During this festive time people of the region sing Lolay (Lo=year, Lay=good) rhymes thanking local deities for the past year and wishing for another good year ahead. During this time, the people of Haa make a delicious dish called Hoentay, a dumpling made from buckwheat dough filled with shredded turnips, cheese, chilli flakes and other delicious local spices.

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