Make Your Own Personalised Stamps And Discover Bhutan’s Postal History At The Postal Museum

Email

The Bhutan Postal Museum in Thimphu is also a major tourist attraction.

Make Your Own Personalised Stamps And Discover Bhutan’s Postal History At The Postal Museum (Source: Michael Buckley)

By Staff Reporter | Daily Bhutan

Officially opened on 7 November 2015, the Bhutan Postal Museum narrates the Kingdom’s evolution of communication, transportation and postal services.

Located at the General Post Office building in the capital, Thimphu, it was also established to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo - His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

The Bhutan Postal Museum serves to tell the story of Bhutan’s progress and development over the past few decades, especially in the fields of communications and its postal system.

Brief history of postal services in Bhutan

Bhutan launched its postal system and produced its first postage stamps in 1962, as it opened its first post office in Phuentsholing, a small town in the south that borders India.

Bhutan Post designs its own postage stamps in-house. The themes are proposed by a Bhutanese advisory committee, which balances national interests with international appeal. 

Print your own personalised stamp at the Bhutan Postal Museum

The Bhutan Postal Museum in Thimphu is also a major tourist attraction. At the museum shop, tourists are not only able to purchase Bhutanese stamps, but they can also produce personalised stamps featuring their portraits set against Bhutan’s iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang). 

 

Photo: A nomad on the loose

As the little stamps are printed out, visitors can choose the postcards on sale at the counter and post the newly minted stamp on each postcard.

Depending on the destination, the postcard with the personalised stamp actually works and will be delivered to the specified address. This is a very popular and unique form of souvenir for many tourists.

Regarded as Bhutan’s ‘little ambassadors’, visitors will be amazed by the rich and interesting array of stamps on display.

The museum showcases:

  • the progress of postal services and to a certain extent, the communications system in Bhutan
  • Bhutan’s rare and unique stamps issued over the years
  • The Kingdom’s modes of communication during the pre-postal era and the stories of its legendary messengers
  • artefacts of direct relevance to the postal services, especially those that can help to tell Bhutan’s story effectively.

 

View some of Bhutan's fascinating stamps.

Source: Bhutan Post 

The museum comprises five galleries, each with a theme as follows:

Gallery I

Also known as the repositionable gallery, this gallery’s exhibits will change according to special occasions in Bhutan as well as its stamp releases. It currently pays tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

Gallery II

It showcases the pre–postal era of Bhutan and tells stories of how communication took place between the Kings and its subjects, between officialdom and how communities from one region communicated with those from other regions, as Bhutan is landlocked and its mountainous population sparsely populated.

Gallery III

It focuses on the advent of the postal system in the country and how it has changed over time. It simultaneously focuses on telegraphy, wireless and telephones and their evolution to the age of Internet and smartphones.

Gallery IV

It exhibits Bhutan’s rich assortment of breitling replica stamps and help promote Bhutan’s rich cultural, traditional and heritage values. It also helps educate Bhutanese society on the merits of philately.

Gallery V

This is the interactive area where activities and programmes will be designed to educate school children and guests.

There is also an area designated for multimedia, where documentaries related to Bhutan’s postal system are screened.

Opening Hours:

9:00am – 5:00pm in the summer

9:00am – 4:00pm in winter and during Drubchoe and Tshechu (Festival)

The museum is closed on Sundays

Museum Cafe: Located at the entrance of the museum, the café serves coffee, tea, soft drink and snacks.
Phone: +975-322281
Website: www.bhutanpost.bt

 


Related Posts

New Immigration Post Opens in Samdrupjongkhar

International tourists can now enter and exit through the eastern border town of Samdrupjongkhar, following the official...

Nov 08, 2024 15:10

Changi Airports International and BIG Team Up for Bhutan’s Next...

Changi Airports International (CAI) of Singapore has been chosen to collaborate with the renowned architectural firm...

Oct 08, 2024 10:49

Bhutan Reduces SDF for the First 15,000 Bangladeshi tourists

This special scheme will be valid until 2027.

Jun 05, 2024 10:09

Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future: Bhutan's Tourism Turns...

Bhutan is set to commemorate the golden jubilee of its tourism industry, marking 50 years since the nation first...

Jun 03, 2024 20:34

Bhutan Removes Mandatory Travel Insurance for Tourists

Bhutan's Department of Tourism has announced the elimination of the compulsory travel insurance obligation for tourists.

Apr 26, 2024 10:03

Alii Palau Airlines Inaugural Flight From Singapore to Palau via...

On November 23, 2023, Alii Palau Airlines made history with its inaugural flight to Palau.

Dec 04, 2023 10:32

Latest

News

Drukair Expands International Network with New Dubai-Paro Route

Drukair officially launched its new twice-weekly flights to Dubai on the 28th October 2024, marking a significant step in expanding the...

Nov 04, 2024 14:46

The Consecration of Jangchub Chorten At Bhutan’s Highest Point

Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema and His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck graced the auspicious consecration ceremony of Jangchub Chorten...

Oct 22, 2024 11:15

Features

Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck Receives Inaugural Smile Asia Philanthropic Visionary Award

Over 230 children in Bhutan have received free surgeries for facial deformities through a partnership between Smile Asia, a Singapore-based...

Aug 19, 2024 14:15

Rifles and Rituals: Satire and Societal Shifts in Bhutan as Portrayed in 'The Monk and The Gun

Pawo Choyning Dorji, whose film "The Monk and the Gun" offers insight into the Himalayan nation's modernization process.

Feb 20, 2024 11:04

Business

Brand Bhutan: Karma Yangchen

Karma Yangchen, a distinguished artisan from Bhutan exemplifies a profound commitment to the art of handwoven textiles.

Dec 14, 2023 10:22

Brand Bhutan: Bhutan Herbal Tea

Bhutan Herbal Tea is the brainchild of two Bhutanese individuals who first crossed paths in New York during a Bhutanese New Year gathering...

Nov 25, 2023 13:56

Sports

Bhutan Cricket's New Milestone: The Inaugural Indoor Cricket Academy

The Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB) inaugurated its inaugural indoor cricket academy on 20th December, with the objective of ensuring...

Dec 21, 2023 14:57

Paro FC Clinches Third Consecutive Victory in BOB Bhutan Premier League

Paro FC has once again claimed the BOB Bhutan Premier League championship, marking their third consecutive title victory during the season's...

Dec 12, 2023 10:26

Travel

New Immigration Post Opens in Samdrupjongkhar

International tourists can now enter and exit through the eastern border town of Samdrupjongkhar, following the official inauguration of the...

Nov 08, 2024 15:10

Changi Airports International and BIG Team Up for Bhutan’s Next Regional Hub

Changi Airports International (CAI) of Singapore has been chosen to collaborate with the renowned architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group...

Oct 08, 2024 10:49

Lifestyle

Chunipa Losar: Bhutan's Timeless Celebration of Traditions and Offerings

Chunipa Losar is a day of offerings, a moment when communities come together to express gratitude, seek blessings, and strengthen bonds.

Jan 12, 2024 12:31

Bhutan's Time-Honored Tradition: Exploring the Nyilo Season and the Lolay Ritual

Approximately 750 children recently took part in the traditional practice known as "lolay" in Bhutan, marking the beginning of the Nyilo...

Jan 04, 2024 14:18

Subscribe to our newsletter

Never miss out on new happenings and news stories!

newsletter

Download Daily Bhutan Mobile App

Connecting with us just got easier!

android app
apple app