Wellness · Gasa, Bhutan
A soak in the Gasa Tshachu hot springs
Walk down from the road to the Mo Chhu and soak in Bhutan's best-known hot springs, where pools of different temperatures sit beside the river and Bhutanese families come in winter to ease aching joints.
Photo: Norbu2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsGasa Tshachu lies on the bank of the Mo Chhu at about 2,100 m, a short steep walk down from the road below the dzong. The springs are fed into several stone-lined pools, each said to treat different complaints, from joint pain to skin conditions. Bhutan's Institute of Traditional Medicine Services has documented the tshachus of the country and their mineral content of sulphur, limestone and coal.
Two oral traditions explain the springs. One holds that the 13th-century saint Drupthob Terkhungpa scattered 128 medicines here, from which 128 hot and mineral springs formed. Another says the Zhabdrung bathed here in the 17th century and his fatigue and joint pain were relieved. The local deity, Dendup Norzang, was once a wrathful demon and became a protector.
Bathing is free. Changing rooms are basic. Follow your guide's lead on which pools are for men, women or families. Shower first, keep soap out of the pools, and limit each soak to 15–20 minutes, drinking water between. If you have heart conditions, high blood pressure or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before soaking.
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Questions
Before you book
Is Gasa Tshachu free?
Yes, as with other hot springs in Bhutan, bathing at the springs is free. Guesthouses nearby charge for rooms and meals. Check current status before you travel.
How hot are the Gasa springs?
The pools vary from warm to quite hot. Test with your hand first and move between pools. Limit each soak to 15–20 minutes and drink water.
When is the best time to visit Gasa Tshachu?
Winter and spring, from November to April, when the air is cold and the road dry. Monsoon floods on the Mo Chhu have damaged the springs before, including a 2008 flood that destroyed the old complex.