Which Asian capital city is the highest above sea level?

Thimphu is the Asian capital city located highest above sea level. Bhutan’s capital stands at roughly 2,300 metres, with different parts of the city ranging from about 2,248 to 2,648 metres in elevation.

Thimphu lies in a steep Himalayan valley along the Wang Chuu River in western-central Bhutan. The city became Bhutan’s official capital in 1961, replacing Punakha as the country modernized its administration. Unlike many high-altitude capitals, Thimphu has no airport; travelers use Paro International Airport and continue by road.

The city’s altitude contributes to cool winters, thin air, and dramatic mountain scenery. Its traditional architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and government buildings reflect Bhutan’s policy of preserving national cultural identity.

Lhasa is a common alternative because it is much higher, at about 3,650 metres. However, Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, an autonomous region of China, rather than the national capital of a sovereign Asian country. Among national capitals, Thimphu is the accepted answer.