Introducing Bhutan
Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is no ordinary place. This is a country where buying cigarettes is illegal, where the rice is red and where chillies aren’t just a seasoning but the entire dish. It’s also a deeply Buddhist land, where men wear a tunic to work, where giant protective penises are painted on the walls of most houses, and where Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than Gross National Product. Tourism in Bhutan is also unique. Visitors famously have to pay a minimum of US$200 per day, making it one of the world’s most expensive countries to visit, but this fee is all-inclusive, you don’t have to travel in a group and you can arrange your own itinerary. What you won’t find in Bhutan is backpacker-style independent travel. This is Nepal for the jet set.
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First off there are the early Buddhist sites in the cultural heartland of Bumthang Dzongkhag and the undisturbed traditional Tibetan-style culture that sets Bhutan aside as the last remaining great Himalayan kingdom. Then there are the textiles, outrageous trekking as well as the stunning flora and fauna of Phobjika Valley. Trashigang is an interesting town and also useful for launching into a trip in Eastern Bhutan.
It is also a country of surprises. This is not just a nation of saintly, other-worldly hermits. Bhutan is straddling the ancient and modern world and these days you’ll find monks transcribing ancient Buddhist texts into computers as traditionally dressed noblemen chat on their mobile phones.
If you do visit Bhutan, you will become one of the few who have experienced the charm and magic of one of the world’s most enigmatic countries – the ‘last Shangri La’ – and you’ll be playing your part in this medieval kingdom’s efforts to join the modern world, while steadfastly maintaining its distinct and amazing cultural identity. So why spend all your money to come here? Because most of all, Bhutan offers an opportunity to glimpse another way of living, an alternative vision of what is truly important in life.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Take in the 'must see' highlights of western and central Bhutan
- See the best of Bhutan in 8 days
- Trek along scenic nature trails and mystical mountains
- Go on an unforgettable journey through once forbidden kingdoms Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet
Last updated: Jan 22, 2013
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Bhutan
Things to do
- All things to do (257)
- Activities (56)
- Entertainment (23)
- Restaurants (62)
- Shopping (52)
- Sights (49)
- Tours (15)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Bhutan
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1 Taktshang Goemba
Hike to the spectacular ‘tiger’s nest’ monastery, precariously perched on a sheer rock face
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2 Jhomolhari Trek
Trek to distant villages and capture spectacular views of Bhutan’s most sacred mountain
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3 Gasa
Spot blue sheep and soak in a hot spring - just some of the delights of Gasa
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4 Snowman Trek
Take Bhutan’s premier challenge - a 25-day, high altitude trek to remote Lunana
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5 Bumthang
Visit Bhutan’s most precious and earliest Buddhist sites in its cultural heartland
Fast Facts about Bhutan
- The export of
The export of hydroelectricity to India provides 32% of government revenue
- Number of tourists visiting Bhutan in 2005
13, 600
- Human Development Index ranking
134 out of 177 countries
- Percentage of population involved in agriculture
69%
- Tourism
is the third largest provider of foreign exchange in Bhutan, earning it US$18.5 million in 2005
- Area
38, 392 sq km – similar size to Switzerland
- Population
634, 982 (2005 Census)
- Life expectancy
63
- Percentage of Bhutan’s land used for agriculture
7.8%
- Forest cover
72.5%