Choki Traditional Art School
Choki Traditional Art School
4.5
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
About
Choki Traditional Art School (CTAS) provides traditional arts & crafts training to the underprivileged youths of Bhutan. The students learn the traditional art of Thanka painting, Wood carving, Embroidery, Tailoring and Textile weaving at the school thereby earning their livelihood skills and help preserve & sustain the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan. A visit to CTAS provides visitors with great insight into the Bhutanese culture, iconographic significance and meanings of all the Thanka paintings, house paintings, intricate wood carvings etc that you see everywhere in Bhutan from the great Dzongs, temples, monasteries to even private homes
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Choki Traditional Art School and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Attractions
25 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
138 reviews
Excellent
80
Very good
38
Average
17
Poor
2
Terrible
1
mlb4777
Cambridge, MA11 contributions
Oct 2022
I visited the School as part of a trip to Bhutan organized by Overseas Adventure Travel. I was deeply impressed with Bhutanese ethics, devotion, beauty, culture and artistic traditions. The Choke Art School embodies all of those values and characteristics. I saw the students conducting there work from level 1 to level 5. I was so taken with the beauty of traditional Bhutanese art that I purchased 4 pieces - a woodblock, 2 mandalas, and a Tanka that is being completed for me and will be shipped to me. Sonam Yoezer, son the the current head, could not have been more helpful with the logistics of the art I acquired. Choki School left a lasting impression. It and the people there were some of the highlights of my visit to Bhutan. Sonam is planning on offering their art work online. I hope that the traditional Bhutanese Arts will contintinue to thrive thanks to Choki, Sonam and his mother.
Written November 9, 2022
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.
Peter R
Dartford, UK1,302 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
So as not to lose the traditional arts of Bhutan this college was set up by a local artist backed by donations and help from the Bhutanese government . Students both boys and girls can choose what they want to learn from painting, wood carving, embroidery, weaving, tailoring and slate carving on courses that can last for up to seven years. They are also taught basic English, mathematics and computer skills while at the college. We were allowed with our guide to wander in and out of class rooms whilst the students were working. The students are provided with free training, food and lodgings. It was good to see the traditional arts being taught to future generations.
Written October 29, 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.
Christie M
New Delhi, India2 contributions
Jul 2013 • Solo
I lived in Paro for two years, and when it came time to buy gifts, I happily drove over an hour each way just to go to Choki School. Visitors are welcome to see the classrooms and chat with students, who are studying weaving, woodcarving, painting, embroidery and more. Their studies are also balanced with English, math and other courses so that they have practical life skills as well as a fantastic training in traditional arts.
The school runs a small shop onsite, and everything you buy goes directly to the particular student who made it (their names, specialty and class level are inconspicuously marked on many items, a personal touch which I love). The prices are much better than you find in town, and the quality is incredible, especially with the more advanced students. Each piece has personality!
I cannot recommend this place enough; Madam Choki and her family have given Bhutan an incredible gift, and in the process, enabled me to give others well-crafted and beautiful works of art.
To get here, go north along the Taba road, cross the bridge and follow the road past the palace and the army barracks, Go toward the traditional astrology school and turn right over the bridge there. Follow the road down and to the left, and after about 5 minutes you'll see the big Guru in the picture above.
The school runs a small shop onsite, and everything you buy goes directly to the particular student who made it (their names, specialty and class level are inconspicuously marked on many items, a personal touch which I love). The prices are much better than you find in town, and the quality is incredible, especially with the more advanced students. Each piece has personality!
I cannot recommend this place enough; Madam Choki and her family have given Bhutan an incredible gift, and in the process, enabled me to give others well-crafted and beautiful works of art.
To get here, go north along the Taba road, cross the bridge and follow the road past the palace and the army barracks, Go toward the traditional astrology school and turn right over the bridge there. Follow the road down and to the left, and after about 5 minutes you'll see the big Guru in the picture above.
Written September 3, 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.
antwerp88
Toronto, Canada684 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
What a special experience to visit the classrooms of students studying to be fine artists. I was very moved by their dedication and love of the arts. You are allowed to walk around the various classrooms (shoes off in some - painting) and quietly observe the students at various levels - i.e. Painting III or Painting IV written over the classroom doors. The Bhutanese value the arts and it shows in the students and in the culture.
Written May 3, 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.
RebekahGrace P
Wimberley, TX24 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
This school provides talented children from underprivileged backgrounds with training in the traditional arts, to allow them to better their lives with employment. Bhutan honors and requires professional artists to preserve their rich culture. We enjoyed touring the classrooms and had a lengthy visit with the headmistress to learn the history of the school. We were incredibly impressed with the high quality of the students' work, and their dedication to their studies.
Written March 10, 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.
SuzanneMuntzing
Windsor, CA27 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
We were able to walk into classrooms and see students painting, embroidering, sculpting, drawing, etc. They're so talented, it is lovely to watch.
Written April 16, 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.
ADFgreen
Stamford, CT16 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
We loved visiting this school. It was very uplifting and a wonderful all around experience.
It is a little out of town, but you drive through a village which we enjoyed. Once you arrive you are given a tour around the school and through the different class rooms. You can talk with the kids and learn what they do all day and how the school is run. The traditional arts they are learning is amazing. We loved walking around the little "campus".
Their gift show was great. You are buying arts and crafts that were made by the students. Most things are signed and dated. And the nicest part... THE PRICES!! The store had the best prices we have seen all over Bhutan. They are not trying to rip you off. All of the money front he purchases go back to the school directly.
This was a great side trip that I highly recommend!
It is a little out of town, but you drive through a village which we enjoyed. Once you arrive you are given a tour around the school and through the different class rooms. You can talk with the kids and learn what they do all day and how the school is run. The traditional arts they are learning is amazing. We loved walking around the little "campus".
Their gift show was great. You are buying arts and crafts that were made by the students. Most things are signed and dated. And the nicest part... THE PRICES!! The store had the best prices we have seen all over Bhutan. They are not trying to rip you off. All of the money front he purchases go back to the school directly.
This was a great side trip that I highly recommend!
Written March 13, 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.
LOVELYJADE
Miami, FL55 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
I loved this school, very well laid out. We had the oppurtunity to see students at work... painting, wood sculpture,mask making etc.
It is a great idea to offer training (4-5 yrs) in the traditional arts of Bhutan, there is also a store that offers the work done by the students. The quality of the products is very impressive.
It is a great idea to offer training (4-5 yrs) in the traditional arts of Bhutan, there is also a store that offers the work done by the students. The quality of the products is very impressive.
Written November 2, 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.
LamN
Singapore, Singapore5,269 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Founded by Mr. Choki Dorji, a respected figure in the Bhutan culture and arts scene, CTAS provides training in Bhutanese traditional arts to poor and disadvantaged children from all over the country. It is funded by sale of products made by the students, as well as donations from private benefactors. Visiting the classrooms, it is amazing to see how unskilled children gradually become well-versed artists over a 6-year study program. Some of the mandalas produced are of extremely high quality. You can buy the finished products, or even commission special work to be done. The school and its students have received various awards. Located about 30 min outside the center of town, but a worthwhile visit to an institution that is doing work which is meaningful to the preservation of Bhutanese culture.
Written October 30, 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.
Samir S
Mumbai, India1,081 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Must visit place for those who love and explore Bhutanese art and culture . young students making clay idols , making wooden craft , some are weaving traditional dress , some are doing paintings ... nice to watch .Our guide was telling that students are there for 6 years to horn their skills .
Simple building , nicely decorated. Ticket cost is Nu 300.00
Simple building , nicely decorated. Ticket cost is Nu 300.00
Written June 23, 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.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing