Chubu Tshachu is a hot spring said to have been discovered by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. It is located at the foot of the spire-shaped hill, the abode of Tsachu Deity, Ap Khachhep at an elevation of 1737 meters above sea level in Wolathang under Toedwang Gewog, Punakha Dzongkhag.
Chubu Tshachu is one of the most well-known hot springs in Bhutan. Chubu Tshachu is supposed to have derived from its geographical position at the confluence of two rivers, the Pho Chu and the Mo Chu. Chubu means ‘Water in the Centre’ (Chu-water, Bu- Centre).
The most popular hot springs in Bhutan are the Chuboog hot spring in Punakha; the Koma hot Spring in Lhuntse; the Duenmang hot spring in Zhemgang; the Khempajong gnye hot spring in Lhuntse; the Gasa hot spring in Gasa; and Gelephu hot spring in Sarpang.
How to Reach Chubu Tshachu
The Chubu hot spring is located approximately 30 km away from the suspension bridge in Punakha. Drive to Khuruthang Town and cross the Khuruthang bridge over Phochu-Mochu, turn left towards the distant hills along the Phochu river bank until you reach another bridge over the same river that takes you to the other side. The place where this Phochu bridge is located is known as Samdingkha.
The distance from Khuruthang to Samdingkha is about 13 km. It will take an hour in a car. It is advisable to take a taxi, preferably a Bolero jeep, to go to Tsachu from Khuruthang. There are a few Boleros at the Samdingkha Parking Lot, but hire is not guaranteed on the spot.
The road from Samdingkha to Chuba Tsachu is rough and tough along the hillside facing the meandering Phochu below. Cross the Phochu bridge at Samdingkha and drive up the road for a short distance till it forks two ways. Turn right towards the river view. The road climbs steadily but at times takes a dip too. There are no reliable road signs at road junctions. The road snakes along the hill range that faces the Phochu River. Towards the journey’s end, the road turns inward away from the Phochu River and enters the small valley known as Tsaphu. The last village is called Nepdingkha also now referred to as Tsaphu village.
Trek Route of Chubu Tshachu
- Start from Khuruthang Town, Punakha;
- Khuruthang Town to Samdhingkha: About 13 KM and 1 ½ hours’ drive by car;
- Samdhingkha to Chubu Tshachu: the distance is about 17 kilometers and will take 2 and a half hours to 3 hours.
The Origin of Chubu Tshachu
Even today, the origin of Chubu Tshachu is not well documented. However, history has it that Guru Rinpoche discovered the hot spring during his visit to Bhutan.
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites
According to legend, Dralay Gyelpo, the site’s current local deity volunteered to provide all of the timber needed for the construction of Punakha Dzong by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1627.
He provided the timber through the Pho Chu River but was distressed because Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel had not provided any details about the timber’s sufficiency. He inspected the Dzong site with great trepidation, but all the wood was stacked on the river’s path in a lake called Lhamochey. So, he stopped sending any more timber.
Meanwhile, Zhabdrung sent Dralay Gyelpo a message chastising him for failing to deliver the timber on time and warning him not to reveal himself publicly. Since then, Dralay Gyelpo has lived at the hot spring site, becoming its local deity and remaining concealed from the public.
In the region, he is now known as Khachaep Dralay Gyelpo. The figure of this Deity, with his face half black and half white, can still be seen in the Goenkhang of Ngyerchu Lhakhang today.
Description of Chubu Tsachu
There are 10 hot springs in the country. Among these, Chuboog hot spring in the Punakha district, Duenmang hot spring in the Zhemgang district, and Gasa hot springs in the Gasa district are Bhutan’s three most popular hot springs.
The hot spring complex has a well-paved easy-to-walk concrete footpath from the starting point (entrance to the complex) that forks 2 ways to the two different pool sites.
There are two hot water ponds at the Tshachu site. The upper pool (Gongma) with a temperature of 39.9°C is categorized as a warm spring. This pond is divided into 4 open compartments formed by timber beam dividers at the pool surface level of a single large pool.
The lower pool known as Wogma with a temperature of 43.5 °C is categorized as a hot spring. This pond is under one roof with two different pools. One small pool and another larger pool are divided into 9 open compartments.
All pools are properly roofed and surrounding floors are concreted. The pools have wooden floors and the larger two have wood paneled sides to conserve heat and provide health comfort.
There are compartments for bathing (washing the body before entering the pool to soak oneself). But there are no water taps for washing. One must scoop water from the pools in buckets or jugs and carry it to the bathing room. Quite convenient actually since bathing cum changing compartments are under the same hall that houses the respective pool.
There is plenty of fresh air flow and natural light. The pools are unisex facilities for all ages. Men wear briefs or boxers and most women especially the younger age wear tops and whatever shorts or slacks waist down for all.
Therapeutic Values or Ethnopharmacological Benefits of Chubu Tshachu
Chubu Tshachu, like all the country’s hot springs, is also renowned for its soothing and curative properties for ailments.
The upper pool is thought to heal serous fluid associated with cold disorders, which include urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It is also helpful to those suffering from chronic stomach aches, skin diseases, and other diseases related to evil afflictions.
The lower pools are known for treating stomach ailments, muscle sprains, diabetes, and some forms of phlegm diseases. It also helps heal indigestion, cold disorders, and increased mucus because of suppressed wind and weak and painful eyes.
Also Read: Hot Springs in Bhutan
Best Time to visit Chubu Tshachu
The best time to visit Chubu Hot Spring is during the winter months from October to early March.
Contact details of Chubu Tshachu
If you’re planning a family trip to Chubu Tshachu or with your friends, here’s the contact number of the hot spring focal person. Please get in touch with the focal person at 17648950 before you plan to stay and relax at the Tshachu.
Accommodation at Chubu Tsachu
Chubu Tsachu has six bathrooms, one bathing pool, six local stores, and ten guesthouses. There are 2 sets of male and female-designated toilets in between the tent accommodations and Hot Spring pools.
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