National Institute for Zorig Chusum
National Institute for Zorig Chusum
4.5
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4.5
102 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
38
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Peter R
Dartford, UK1,304 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Set up by the government this institute was set up to keep the crafts of Bhutan alive. The students both male and female can choose which of the traditional crafts they wish to follow and then are given an apprenticeship for 3 or 4 years. There are instructors who teach the students their chosen art. You are allowed to walk, stand and watch the students working and can buy in the on site gift shop.
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK7,287 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is an amazing place to see the ancient craft skills of Bhutan put into practice. Students work here on up to a six year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. You can walk into soe of the rooms and watch the artists at work. Two of the crafts we saw were carving wooden statues and intricate painting.
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AZCasualTraveler
Mesa, AZ2,438 contributions
Nov 2019
The National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu was created by the government to promote Bhutan's traditional contemporary art forms. I have read that the words "Zorig Chusum" literally means "Thirteen Crafts." The thirteen Bhutan art forms are: Traditional Painting, Sculpturing, Wood Carving, Calligraphy, Paper making, Bronze Casting, Embroidery, Weaving, Carpentry, Masonry, Bamboo and cane weaving, Gold/Silver Smithy, Black smithy.
The Institute has various classrooms with instructors who teach students these 13 art forms. After the students are taught these various art forms, they are then tested to determine their knowledge of these art forms. When our small group tour was visiting the Institute, there were several classrooms that were "Closed for Testing" with a sign on the door(s) indicating that testing was in progress. The items or goods that are made in the classrooms are being sold at the Institute's gift shop or "Showroom", and at various gift shops throughout Thimphu city.
In summary, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum was quite interesting - knowing that Bhutan's government is genuinely interested in keeping Bhutan's rich history in it's 13 art forms.
The Institute has various classrooms with instructors who teach students these 13 art forms. After the students are taught these various art forms, they are then tested to determine their knowledge of these art forms. When our small group tour was visiting the Institute, there were several classrooms that were "Closed for Testing" with a sign on the door(s) indicating that testing was in progress. The items or goods that are made in the classrooms are being sold at the Institute's gift shop or "Showroom", and at various gift shops throughout Thimphu city.
In summary, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum was quite interesting - knowing that Bhutan's government is genuinely interested in keeping Bhutan's rich history in it's 13 art forms.
Written 15 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DutchTravelMama58
Montfoort, The Netherlands44 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
It can be busy here and you wonder how the students can keep focusing on their work, but it is very interesting to see how Bhutan manages to keep their traditional arts up to standard.
Written 8 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MysticBhutan
Thimphu, Bhutan19 contributions
Sept 2014 • Business
Bhutan since ancient time had developed arts & crafts skills based on Buddhist themes but exceptionally unique to Bhutan only. These skills were nearing extinction as time advanced into modern days. The visionary 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck saw the gradual death of the hard learned skills along with people who possessed the skills as they were nearing disappearance from the surface of the earth.
Therefore, establishment of the 13 Arts & Crafts Institute in early 1980s was a timely noble initiative to revive the skills of all the arts & crafts in Bhutan. It was impossible to prolong the lives of those skilled in arts & crafts but it was possible to keep them alive through trainings and skill developments.
I consider it important for the visitors coming on Bhutan Trip to visit this Institute to get greater insights into the culture and tradition of Bhutan where they can see live demonstrations rather than reading information on print materials.
Tshering Dorji
mysticbhutan@gmail.com
Therefore, establishment of the 13 Arts & Crafts Institute in early 1980s was a timely noble initiative to revive the skills of all the arts & crafts in Bhutan. It was impossible to prolong the lives of those skilled in arts & crafts but it was possible to keep them alive through trainings and skill developments.
I consider it important for the visitors coming on Bhutan Trip to visit this Institute to get greater insights into the culture and tradition of Bhutan where they can see live demonstrations rather than reading information on print materials.
Tshering Dorji
mysticbhutan@gmail.com
Written 26 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VanaG9
Mumbai60 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
The National Institute of Zorig Chusum popularly known as the "School of 13 Traditional Arts" was a lovely, enriching experience. Visitors are allowed to enter and even interact with the students. The visiting hours are fixed, but I did wonder if the influx of visitors was disturbing for the students. That being said, it was gratifying to see the students so deeply involved in their work and we could even observe the Master craftsman teaching a class (from a distance!).
The best part was the shop next door that stocks the work of the students as well as other handicrafts. There are some wonderful things here and we bought some Thankas for gifting (we found thankas very very overpriced almost everywhere else in Bhutan!).
The best part was the shop next door that stocks the work of the students as well as other handicrafts. There are some wonderful things here and we bought some Thankas for gifting (we found thankas very very overpriced almost everywhere else in Bhutan!).
Written 15 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gentlejourneys
Geneva, Switzerland82 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
The National Institute for Zorig Chusum, or the school for traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts is a college where students come to train in the various Bhutanese crafts such as painting, wood carving, clay sculpting, metal work and needle work. We toured all the classrooms which were in session. As Bhutan has a rich craft culture, this institute is worth a visit so one can see first-hand, how all those lovely carvings and paintings are done and how students learn to craft items for temples and for every-day use. When you walk in you may see brightly coloured textiles, recently dyed and wet, hanging on decorated fences. You will see students from 1st year to 6th year, crafting masks, statues, quilts and embroidery, or making sketches for paintings. It takes 6 years to become a master (4 for textiles). If I were young and artsy, I would definitely want to do a semester abroad here (who knows maybe it is already being done). There is a showroom in the parking area where one can buy crafts made by the students and proceeds go to helping the school. If you have been enjoying the arts and crafts during your visit to Bhutan then you must visit.
Written 26 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Koustoov M
Maldives62 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
The Museum is small with varieties of musks, animals (stuff), etc...the best part of this is maintenance. It might be small, but very well maintained and displayed. Camera is strictly not allowed.
Written 18 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
792Carol_H
Newtown, Australia1,461 contributions
May 2019
National Institute for Zorig Chusum provides instruction on Bhutan's 13 traditional arts.
This was quite interesting watching the students, wood carving, paint, sew, embroider and make statues from clay.
We realy enjoyed this, it was very interesting chatting to the students and teachers whilst watching them work their craft. The items they make are also for sale in the store.
This was quite interesting watching the students, wood carving, paint, sew, embroider and make statues from clay.
We realy enjoyed this, it was very interesting chatting to the students and teachers whilst watching them work their craft. The items they make are also for sale in the store.
Written 6 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo
West Yorkshire, UK527 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
This is a school that teaches young people arts and crafts. You can go around and watch people do various types of crafts, e.g sewing, painting, what's on depends on the lessons that day. There is a obligatory shop at the end. It was a nice thing to do, most for the sentiment.
Written 21 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. I will be going to Bhutan soon. Were there quality items to buy at the National Institute of Zorig Chusum? Or should I look for another place to purchase good quality carvings and paintings?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Warm regards,
Dean
Written 29 January 2019
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