Punakha valley stands at an altitude of 1,350m (4,430ft) above mean sea level. In 1651, Punakha became the capital of unified kingdom under the reign of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel with its establishment of the ChhosidNyiden, the dual system of government. It was only in early 1950s that the capital was shifted to Thimphu. However, it still is the winter residence of the National Clergy and His Holiness, the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.