Wangdue Phodrang is the last town on the highway before entering Central Bhutan.

It sits atop of a hill looking out over the junction of two rivers. The town's most visible feature is the formidable Dzong.

The road from Wangdue to Trongsa is one of the prettiest in Bhutan. It has passing streams, forests and villages before climbing to the Pelela pass and on to the dramatic Trongsa Valley.