Kagyu Painting School

This painting school operates 4-6 year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Students specialise in painting (furniture,thangkas - painted religious pictures, usually on canvas), woodcarving (masks, statues, bowls), embroidery (hangings, boots, clothes) or statue-making (clay). Most tour operators include a visit to the school in their sightseeing program. 

Though large groups of visitors can disrupt the classes, the craft demonstrations are a photographers' dream and it's hard not to be impressed at the skill and discipline of the young students. There are several handicraft shops nearby.