Paro, Bhutan

The charming town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong. The main street, only built in 1985, is lined with colorfully painted wooden shopfronts and restaurants, though these appear under threat as the town grows and multistorey concrete buildings continue to pop up. For now, Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot, and it is worth an hour or two to stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing.