- Oct 21, 2026
- by Ashley Chen
- 177
Gelephu Prepares for More Than 120,000 Visitors Ahead of Project 108
Gelephu is preparing hotels, campsites and transport for more than 120,000 registered visitors attending Bhutan’s Project 108 on 1 November.
More than 120,000 people have registered to visit Gelephu Mindfulness City for Project 108, a royal initiative to raise 108 Jangchub Chortens in southern Bhutan on 1 November 2026.
With Gelephu’s hotels fully booked, accommodation has become one of the largest logistical challenges facing organisers. Hotels are adding beds, private operators are establishing campsites and Gelephu Mindfulness City is preparing free facilities for visitors bringing their own tents.
The gathering will bring together an estimated 40,000 volunteers, Buddhist teachers, visitors from Bhutan and abroad, and invited guests. Martial artist and film actor Jet Li is also expected to attend.
Project 108 At A Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main event | Raising of 108 Jangchub Chortens |
| Date | 1 November 2026 |
| Location | Gelephu Mindfulness City, southern Bhutan |
| Chorten height | 15 metres each |
| Distance between chortens | 108 metres |
| Total corridor | Approximately 11.7 kilometres |
| Expected volunteers | Around 40,000 |
| Registered visitors | More than 120,000 |
| Visitor helpline | Toll-free number 108 |
A Line Of Chortens Along The Mau Chhu
Project 108 was announced by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on 21 February 2026. It will see 108 Jangchub Chortens, also known as Stupas of Enlightenment, raised together along the Mau Chhu river corridor.
A chorten is a sealed Buddhist structure containing prayers, sacred texts, relics and ritual objects. The Jangchub design commemorates the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment.
Each chorten will stand 15 metres tall. The structures will be positioned 108 metres apart in a single line stretching for almost 12 kilometres.
The external structures are scheduled to be completed together on 1 November, following months of foundation work, material preparation and volunteer training. Monks have also been preparing the zung, the sacred contents that will be placed inside the chortens.
The date coincides with the anniversary of the King’s coronation and the Buddhist observance of the Buddha’s descent from heaven.
Check out the detailed guide to the architecture, symbolism and scale of Project 108, as well as an account of the preparation of the sacred relics for the chortens.
Why The Number 108 Matters
The number 108 carries particular significance in Buddhism. The Kangyur, the translated teachings attributed to the Buddha, traditionally contains 108 volumes. Buddhist prayer beads are commonly arranged in sets of 108, while teachings also refer to 108 mental afflictions that practitioners seek to overcome.
For Project 108, the number determines both the number of chortens and the distance between them.
The construction effort draws on the Bhutanese practice of zhabto, or voluntary communal work. Volunteers will be assigned across the 108 construction sites, with trained teams working simultaneously to complete the structures.
Hotels Expand From 1,100 To Nearly 2,000 Beds
Gelephu has approximately 62 hotels with a normal combined capacity of about 1,100 guests.
With existing rooms fully booked, participating hotels are adding beds and mattresses wherever space allows. These adjustments are expected to raise their combined capacity to almost 2,000 beds.
Even with the increase, hotel accommodation represents only a small proportion of the space required for the gathering. Not every registered participant will need an overnight stay, but the number of visitors still far exceeds the town’s usual accommodation capacity.
Campsites Planned For About 80,000 People
Temporary campsites are being prepared for approximately 80,000 people across Gelephu.
Around 18 privately operated sites are expected to accommodate about 50,000 guests. Facilities will vary by operator and package, but may include food, water, electricity, security, Wi-Fi, toilets, food stalls and entertainment areas.
Tent accommodation starts at approximately Nu 650 (approx. USD 6.85) per person per night.
One of the largest sites is being prepared on about 19 acres behind Ugyen Norlha Temple. The site is intended to accommodate approximately 10,000 people and will offer different categories of tents. Toilets and other supporting facilities are under construction.
Another operator plans to accommodate around 2,000 people in tents and temporary eco-lodges constructed partly from locally available materials, including bamboo.
Visitors should confirm directly with campsite operators what is included in the price. Facilities and service levels will differ between locations.
Free Campsite For Visitors With Their Own Tents
Gelephu Mindfulness City will provide a campsite near the fishery area for up to 30,000 people bringing their own tents.
The site will offer water, electricity and toilets without charge. Cooking will not be permitted within the campsite, but food courts are expected to serve visitors.
Camping elsewhere in Gelephu will not be allowed. Visitors must use designated campsites or other approved locations.
Parking will be available within the fishery campsite for registered guests.
Transport And Movement Arrangements
Private vehicles may travel to Gelephu, but drivers must follow designated parking and traffic arrangements after arrival. Domestic travellers do not need to register their vehicles solely for the event.
Existing checkpoint requirements remain in place for vehicles entering Bhutan across the international border.
Private vehicle access to event areas may be restricted. Visitors will be expected to use designated parking areas, carpooling services, shuttle buses or taxis to reach their assigned gathering points.
Public buses will continue operating during the temporary travel restrictions. Bus and taxi services are expected to be free on 1 November, with a 50 percent concession on other designated event days.
Travel from Gelephu towards Thimphu through Tsirang will be restricted on 30 and 31 October, except for approved reasons. Visitors planning to leave Gelephu before 4 November should check the latest travel arrangements, as early departures will be considered individually in urgent circumstances.
Separate access and transport arrangements are planned for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
What Visitors Should Expect At The Event
Visitors may need to walk for approximately 15 to 20 minutes from designated drop-off points to their assigned gathering areas. Colour-coded tags, flags and signs will help direct people to the correct location.
Drinking water will be available at designated points. Refreshment packs or food bags are also expected to be provided to members of the public.
Chairs will be reserved for invited guests inside designated areas. Members of the public should be prepared to sit on the ground and carry any personal items needed for comfort and weather protection.
The public information guide says general visitor access to the chorten sites will begin from the third day, subject to directions from organisers. Opportunities to seek blessings from attending Buddhist teachers will also depend on the programme and crowd-management arrangements.
Residents of Gelephu who intend to attend must register through the designated GMC portal.
Watch Project 108 Live
People unable to travel to Gelephu can watch the raising of the 108 chortens through an official livestream on 1 November 2026. Viewers can register on the Project 108 website to receive the broadcast link by email. The streaming platform and starting time have not yet been announced.
Buddhist Teachers Expected In Gelephu
The gathering is expected to bring senior Buddhist teachers representing several Himalayan lineages, as well as traditions from Southeast Asia and Russia.
Those announced include Bhutan’s Je Khenpo, the country’s chief abbot, Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and the seventh Yongzin Ling Rinpoche.
Other expected teachers include Phra Kruba Boonchum, Choje Lama Wangchuk Topden, Bokar Khenchen Lodoe Thonyor Rinpoche, Chogtrul Jigme Tenzin Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche, Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, Khyungtrul Rinpoche, Gangteng Trulku Rinpoche, Sungtrul Rinpoche and Thuksey Trulku Rinpoche.
Khambo Lama Tsyren Dondukbaev from Russia and Venerable Dr Phra Bhodhinandhamunee from Thailand are also expected to attend.
Jet Li To Attend Project 108
International film actor, martial artist and humanitarian Jet Li is scheduled to be in Gelephu from 1 to 4 November.
Li is known internationally for films including Shaolin Temple, Once Upon a Time in China, Hero and Fearless. Beyond cinema, he founded the One Foundation, which works in disaster relief, health and education.
He previously visited Bhutan in 2017, when his journey included visits to Buddhist sites in Paro. His return places him among the international visitors attending the spiritual gathering rather than as a performer or official participant in the construction.
Sculptural Collection Created In Tribute To The Project
Chinese sculptor Xie Aige has created a Bhutan-exclusive collection inspired by Project 108, the country’s landscapes and its spiritual traditions.
Developed with Bhutan Duty Free and Singapore-based contemporary art gallery Ode to Art, A Journey Between Heaven, Humanity and Self consists of three designs titled Above the Clouds, The Sanctuary Within and Upon the Tree.
The collection includes 88 numbered sets of bronze electroplated sculptures, as well as fibre-resin editions. They will be available exclusively in Bhutan from November 2026.
Ode to Art has also sponsored a seven-foot sculpture for Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The collection introduces a contemporary artistic response to Project 108, using human figures, birds, trees, clouds and architectural forms to explore reflection and the relationship between people and nature.
Registration And Official Information
Visitors and organisations can register their interest through the official Project 108 portal. The portal also provides information about contributions and access to the live broadcast planned for 1 November.
Although Project 108 was initially presented as a large volunteer mobilisation, the chortens will be raised by trained construction teams. Registered visitors will mainly observe the work from assigned public areas and participate in prayers, while other volunteers may support logistics and event services.
Visitors should continue checking official announcements because accommodation, traffic and access arrangements may change as the event approaches. The toll-free number 108 has been established for event information and assistance.
The expansion of hotel capacity and the creation of campsites for tens of thousands show the scale of preparation required. Project 108 is not only a one-day construction effort. It is also a major test of Gelephu’s ability to manage transport, sanitation, accommodation and public safety during one of the largest gatherings held in southern Bhutan.