Gasa was formerly a drungkhag of the Punakha District. It became a separate district in 1992, the start of 7th Five Year Plan. Gasa is bordered to the north by Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China and by Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang District to the South. Gasa is an environment protected area of Bhutan including Jigme Dorji National Park and reaches part of Wangchuck Centennial Park.
It has the smallest population with approx 3000 inhabitant. This region is inhabited by the Layabs; nomadic herders with a unique culture. Their main source of revenue come from trading products made from their yaks, such as yak hair textiles, cheese, butter and yak meat. They also harvest and sell Cordyceps (a fungus of extremely high value that is frequently used in oriental medicine). The majority of the known herds of wild Takin also occur in Gasa.
Gasa has become a tourist destination because of its pristine forest and the exceptionally scenic location of the dzong which was built by Zhabdrung in 1646 to commemorate the victories over the Tibetans and it later defended the country against several invasions in the 17th and 18th century.
Gasa is famous for snowman trek which is one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas. The newly established festival is becoming more popular each year. The festival will let your experience the real lifestyle of the remote inhabitants.
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