Wangdue Phodrang (previously spelled Wangdi Phodrang) is a dzongkhag (i.e. district), of central Bhutan. This is also the name of the dzong which dominates the district and of the small market town immediately adjacent to the dzong. The name is said to have been given by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who was searching for the best location for a dzong to prevent incursions from the south along the Punak Chhu river. At the chosen spot the Shabdrung encountered a boy named Wangdi playing beside the river and hence named the dzong (built in 1638) "Wangdi's Palace".

Wangdue Phodrang is bordered by Dagana and Tsirang dzongkhags to the south, Tongsa dzongkhag to the east, Thimphu and Punakha dzongkhags to the west, and Gasa dzongkhag and a small section of border with Tibet to the north.

There are three paved roads in Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag. The Lateral Road enters from the west at Dochu La Pass, crosses the Panak Chuu at Wangdue Phodrang dzong, and continues east to Tongsa. One spur road heads north from Wangdue Phodrang to the dzong at Punakha and slightly beyond. This becomes the footpath to Gasa. A second spur departs the Lateral Road halfway between Wangdue and Tongsa, traveling south a short distance to Phobji monastery and the Gangtey valley where the Black-Necked Cranes (grus nigricollis) may be viewed.

See also: districts of Bhutan

External links

• administrative map of Bhutan (http://www.who.org.bt/AboutBhutan/AdmMap.htm)
• roadmap of Bhutan (http://www.nepaltravels.com/bhutan_map.htm)