Paro Taktsang, also known as Taktsang Palphug Monastery (Tiger's Nest), a sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist site located in cliffside (3120m above sea level) of upper Paro valley in Bhutan. It is 1 of 13 Tiger's Nest caves in historical Tibet in which Padmasambhava practiced and taught Vajrayana.

A later monastery complex was built in 1692 CE, around Taktsang Senge Samdup cave, where Guru Padmasambhava meditated and practiced with students including Yeshe Tsogyal before departing kingdom of Tibet in early 9th Century CE. Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan, which was then part of Tibet, and is tutelary deity of country. Today, Paro Taktsang is best known of 13 taktsang or "tiger lair" caves in which he and his students meditated.

Shrine dedicated to Padmasambhava, also known as Gu-ru mTshan-brgyad Lhakhang or "Shrine of Guru with 8 Names", refers to Padmasambhava's 8 Manifestations and is an elegant structure built around cave in 1692 CE, by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. It has become cultural icon of Bhutan. A popular festival, known as Tsechu, held in honor of Padmasambhava, is celebrated in Paro valley sometime during March or April.

Monastery looks formidable, monastery complex has access from several directions, such as northwest path through forest, from south along path used by devotees and from north (access over rocky plateau), which is called “Hundred Thousand Fairies” known as Bumda (hBum-brag).

Monastery buildings consist of four main temples and residential shelters ideally designed by adapting to rock (granite) ledges, the caves and rocky terrain. Out of 8 caves, four are comparatively easy to access. Cave where Padmasmabhava first entered riding Tiger known as Tholu Phuk' and original cave where he resided and did meditation is known as 'Pel Phuk'. He directed spiritually enlightened monks to build monastery here. Monastery is so precariously perched that it is said: "it clings to side of mountain like a gecko". Main cave is entered through a narrow passage.

According to folklore and mythology, a 8th Century CE, Indian Buddhist Master Guru Rinpoche flew from Tibet on the back of a mystical flying tigress (his transformed disciple) and landed on the steep cliff to meditate in a cave. Once they arrived, Guru Rinpoche then spent 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours meditating in the cave. After he had finished, it became a holy place and became known as Paro Taktsang. Later, in late 17th Century CE, monastery was constructed around cave by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, who was universally believed to be the reincarnation of the Guru. Numerous other miracles are associated with monastery, such as sightings of mysterious flowers that appear in air, only to disappear before touching the ground. Guru has also been spotted both inside and outside cave at same time.

Due to it's location, the only way to get the monastery is by hiking, as there is no vehicles that make the drive up to the monastery. The climb is an experience in itself. Hike to temple, and back, takes around five hours; as travellers ascend, they will pass through a dense forest and emerge on edge of a rocky chasm, where they will need to climb down to a trickling waterfall and then back up cliff face to monastery on other side. Mountainous cliff-tops covered in mists only enhance the air of spirituality and history the monastery embodies. They also remind you just how high you are, and add to sense of achievement you feel when you finally reach top. However, those who cannot hike the entire way, they can hire a horse to carry them most of the way there.

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