Welcome to Choki Artisans – Where Tradition Lives On
For over 26 years, the Choki Traditional Art School has been a beacon of hope, creativity, and cultural preservation in Bhutan. Dedicated to providing free arts and crafts education to underprivileged youth, the school is a living example of how tradition can empower and transform lives. At the heart of this mission is the Choki Artisans initiative to ensure long term sustainability of the school—a vibrant space where visitors can experience Bhutanese heritage firsthand. Explore our living museum, witness traditional arts and crafts demonstrations, try your hand at traditional painting, and browse unique souvenirs in our artisan shop. Relax at our restaurant and café while taking in the spirit of Bhutanese craftsmanship. Your visit does more than just offer an unforgettable cultural experience—it directly supports the continuation of Bhutan’s artistic legacy and helps uplift the next generation of artists. We warmly invite you to be a part of this journey and celebrate the timeless beauty of Bhutanese art.
Top Experiences
A Spiritual Blessing Ceremony
Your journey begins with a sacred butter lamp lighting ceremony in front of the majestic Guru Rinpoche statue. This symbolic act of enlightenment and peace sets the tone for a day of discovery and connection.
The 17th Century Living Museum
Step back in time as you enter the 17th century building, consecrated by Druk Desi Tenzin Rabgye and blessed by The Divine Madman. This living museum offers a glimpse into Bhutan's rich cultural tapestry.
Arts & Crafts Demonstrations
Marvel at the skill and dedication of Choki artisans and students as they practice their crafts in Traditional Painting, Wood Carving, Embroidery, Bamboo Craft, Wood Turning, Sculpting, Weaving, Tailoring etc.
Hands on Experience
Channel your inner artist with a traditional painting workshop guided by senior students. Create your own masterpiece to take home as a cherished memento of your journey
Opening Hours
- Open from Monday to Saturday
- Time 9 AM till 4:30 PM
- Lunch Break : 01:00 to 02:00 PM
- Sunday is closed
- Public Holidays – Open with limited students
Entrance Fees
- Adults Nu 1000/-
- Child between 5 – 12 Years Nu 500/-
Buy authentic Art & Craft Products
Visitors can purchase handcrafted artifacts created by students, alumni, and Bhutanese artists. Each purchase directly contributes to the school’s funding, ensuring that it can continue to offer free education to future generations of artists. By supporting the school shop, visitors play a vital role in preserving Bhutan’s artistic traditions and empowering disadvantaged youth.
Enjoy Traditional Local Cuisine at...
Our Restaurant & cafe
Conclude your visit with a refreshing drink or a delicious meal at our charming restaurant. Enjoy breathtaking views of rice terraces, the Wangchu River, and the enigmatic Changtagang cliff while savoring authentic Bhutanese and international cuisine.
EXCELLENT Based on 176 reviews Posted on Tripadvisor MEP1986Verified Traditional art with a mission Wonderful mission driven cultural experience. Our student guide was very kind, and it was an incredible way to see traditional arts and how these skills are passed down. Very worth a visit!Posted on Tripadvisor Patrick RohrVerified An important initiative, fantastic work A wonderful and important initiative that provides educational opportunities for disadvantaged young people. The young artists’ works are impressive, and a stroll through the beautifully designed living museum and the school offers a deep insight into Bhutanese painting, woodturning, calligraphy, embroidery, woodcarving and others. Finally, you can purchase the students’ works in the shop, which I highly recommend, as all proceeds go directly to the school.Posted on Tripadvisor Happiness635471Verified Wonderful art school for boys and girls The work being done here is phenomenal. They are helping poor and underprivileged boys and girls to develop their art skills to be able to support themselves. The school is incredible: several rooms specific for sculpturing, painting, etc. The students give us a tour and we can paint ourselves as part of the tour. Such a joy! This is a necessary work and I’m glad they aren’t forgetting the girls who are supported here as well. Loved it!Posted on Tripadvisor Bhutanese photographerVerified Hands-On Journey into Bhutanese Arts and Culture Choki Traditional Art School is one of the best places to visit if you want to truly immerse yourself in Bhutanese arts and crafts. The school offers hands-on experiences where visitors can learn about traditional Bhutanese art forms and the techniques used to create them. The site also features a beautiful museum that shares fascinating stories about Bhutanese culture and traditions. Visitors can gain insight into traditional Bhutanese household practices, including how butter tea and roasted rice were prepared in the past. What makes the experience even more meaningful is learning how Bhutan’s arts and crafts are preserved and passed down to younger generations. The school provides valuable opportunities for many Bhutanese youths, supporting both employment and the preservation of cultural heritage. Another highlight is the welcoming management, who are often flexible with visiting hours. Unlike many places, they may allow visits even after office hours depending on visitors’ schedules, making the experience even more accessible and enjoyable.Posted on Tripadvisor Global34380684040Verified Fun experience at Choki Art School We had a really pleasant time touring the institute. It was free for us and we spent about 2.5 hours altogether. The local students humbly and patiently explained the various art forms practised in the school while visiting the classrooms, and even allowed us to try our hand at certain tasks e.g calligraphic painting, cooking roasted rice. Also managed to purchase some neat souvenirs from the gift shop for the memories. A worthy place to visit when in Thimphu!Posted on Tripadvisor Dave KVerified Wonderful Everything was just wonderful and impressive. I wish the very best to all the kind and skilled artists!Posted on Tripadvisor WesVerified Wonderful Experience Helping Young Bhutanese Artists Wonderful experience! We loved getting to see traditional Bhutanese art being made in person by some very amazing student artists. It was great to learn about the history and culture of Bhutan while also helping out a great organization. We even got to paint our own piece of traditional art as well as do some printmaking and calligraphy. The gift store was also amazing and had student art for sale. I highly recommend a visit to the Choki Traditional Art School when visiting Bhutan!Posted on Tripadvisor Hales216Verified Definitely worth seeing when in Bhutan! Worth a visit! We appreciated our experience and the opportunity to learn more about the culture and history of Bhutan!Posted on Tripadvisor Gabriel CVerified Wonderful experience Excellent experience! All guided and explained by the local students. All feels very authentic and let us do our own art. Very recommended!Posted on Tripadvisor Ying MVerified A learning experience for the arts of Bhutan We really enjoyed talking to the boys who were our guides. They were genuine and sincere. It was good to understand that they are able to learn a craft and skill so they can gain jobs in the future even if they are from humble homes. Our favourite was toasting the rice, churning and drinking butter tea and having a chance to do some hands on painting. The staff at the gift shop were lovely and patient.