Gelephu

Gelephu is a town in southern Bhutan in Sarpang District, near the border with India, at an elevation of about 300 meters. Its population is approximately 9,800 (2017). It serves as a major border crossing for trade and a regional center for agriculture and forestry. Key agricultural products include cardamom and ginger. Gelephu has a domestic airport with flights to Thimphu and other towns. The climate is subtropical, with hot summers and heavy monsoon rains. The population is ethnically mixed, with Bhutanese, Nepali, and Indian communities. Nearby forests are habitat for Asian elephants and Bengal tigers. Gelephu is part of Bhutan's southern economic corridor development plan. The town features basic amenities like a hospital, schools, and markets. Its strategic location makes it a potential hub for cross-border commerce and tourism.

Nearby cities

Sarpang

Sarpang is the administrative center of the Sarpang district, situated at the edge of the Indian plains and surrounded by dense jungle.

Trongsa

Trongsa is located geographically in the center of Bhutan and was historically crucial for controlling the kingdom.

Narayanganj

An industrial hub near Dhaka, historically significant for its jute trade and river transport.

Gazipur

A rapidly growing industrial city north of Dhaka, home to many textile factories and the Bishwa Ijtema gathering.

Mymensingh

Located on the Brahmaputra River, this city is a major center for education and agriculture in central Bangladesh.

Zhemgang

Zhemgang is a remote town in central Bhutan, renowned for its immense biodiversity and deep-rooted animist traditions.

Bhola

The administrative center of Bangladesh's largest island, situated at the mouth of the Meghna River.

Narsingdi

An industrial hub east of Dhaka, famous for its textile industry and the ancient archaeological site of Wari-Bateshwar.

History & landmarks

Bangladesh Taj Mahal

A scaled replica of the famous Indian Taj Mahal located in Narayanganj, built by a wealthy filmmaker.

National Parliament House

An architectural masterpiece in Dhaka, designed by the renowned architect Louis Kahn.

Tang Valley

The most remote of Bumthang's four valleys, characterized by sheep breeding, high-altitude farming, and the historic Ogyen Choling Palace.

Bumthang (Chokhor Valley)

The Chokhor Valley in Bumthang is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, dotted with ancient temples and sacred sites.

Padma Bridge

The longest bridge in Bangladesh, crossing the Padma River and connecting the southwest to Dhaka.

Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake)

A sacred site that is actually a gorge on the Tang Chhu river.

Ogyen Choling Palace

A historic manor in the Tang Valley turned into a fascinating museum.

Nature

Namtso Lake

A mountain lake on the Tibetan Plateau, considered one of the most beautiful places in Tibet.

Meghna River

One of the most important rivers in Bangladesh, forming the massive Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta.

Thorthormi Tsho

A rapidly expanding glacial lake in the High Himalayas, under strict scientific observation due to climate change.

More places

Mangdechhu Hydropower Plant

A state-of-the-art run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant on the Mangdechhu river in Trongsa district.

Zhemgang Valley

A deeply incised tropical to subtropical valley in south-central Bhutan, known for its biodiversity and dense jungles.

Gelephu Special Economic Zone

A groundbreaking visionary project by the King, known as the 'Mindfulness City'.

Adamjee Export Processing Zone

This industrial zone was established on the site of the former largest jute mill in the world.

Jigmeling Industrial Park

A newly developed, large-scale industrial park in Sarpang district.

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Pangaon Inland Container Terminal

This inland port in Keraniganj connects river transport with the capital city Dhaka.

Gangkhar Puensum

Bhutan's highest mountain is globally recognized as the highest unclimbed peak, as the country has banned mountaineering on sacred peaks.

Panam City

An abandoned historic settlement in Sonargaon, which was the center of wealthy Hindu merchants in the 19th century.