Just a five-minute walk from the heart of Thimphu and situated at 2,250 meters (7,381 ft) above sea level, the Royal Textile Academy and the adjacent Bhutan Textile Museum preserve and promote one of the kingdom's most revered cultural arts—textile weaving.
Her Majesty Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck envisioned and inaugurated the Bhutan Textile Museum in 2001. The museum celebrates Bhutan's textile legacy, supported by Danish funding of US $165,000, private donors, and technical guidance from the Peabody Essex Museum (USA). Her Majesty serves as its patron, raising national and global awareness.
Inside, visitors explore curated galleries. The first features royal attire and floral-patterned ceremonial fabrics. The second showcases regional variations of gho and Kira, weaving materials, and monk garments accompanied by traditional instruments.
The Royal Textile Academy was established in 2005, expanding the vision. A new museum building opened in 2013, allowing more excellent exhibition space and interactive displays. Here, you can witness live weaving demonstrations and participate in workshops illuminating age-old techniques passed down through generations.
The academy does more than preserve heritage—it sustains it. It provides local employment, inspires future artisans, and elevates Bhutanese textiles globally. With designs rich in symbolism and regional identity, each thread tells a story.
Visiting here is more than visual—it's tactile, human, and rooted in the Bhutanese spirit. It's a journey through fabric that binds culture, royalty, and everyday life.
