The topography of Thimphu is defined by extreme changes in elevation. The valley floor, where the majority of the city is built, sits at an altitude ranging from roughly 2,248 meters (7,375 ft) to 2,648 meters (8,688 ft).
From the riverbanks, the terrain rises sharply on both the eastern and western flanks, quickly escalating into steep, mountainous ridges. The northern reaches of the Thimphu Dzongkhag push into the high Himalayas, with peaks exceeding 4,000 meters (13,123 ft). The lowest point in the district lies in the southern river gorges. The steep topography severely limits lateral urban expansion, forcing the city to expand linearly along the Wang Chhu floodplain and gradually inch up the steep hillsides.