Rinpung Dzong, meaning (‘fortress of the heap of jewels’), which has a long and fascinating history. It houses the district monastic body and the government administrative offices of Paro District. In the 15th century, offered the crag of Hungrel in Paro to Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo. Drung Drung Gyal built a small temple there and later a five storied Dzong or fortress which was known as hungrel Dzong.
In the 17th century, his descendants, the lords of Hungrel, offered this fortress to the Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Namgyal, the Zhabdrung Rinpoche in recognition of his religious and temporal authority. In 1644 the Zhabdrung dismantled the existing dzong and laid the foundations of a new dzong. In 1646 the dzong was re-consecrated and established as the administrative and monastic centre of the western region and became known as Rinpung Dzong.
Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.