A sovereign state in South Asia, Bhutan is also popularly known as ‘Land of Thunder Dragon.’ It is a landlocked country situated in the Eastern Himalayas, bordered along the People’s Republic of China to the north, having India to the south, east, and west. The land consists mostly of high and steep mountains criss- crossed by a network of swift rivers, which form deep valleys. The country has the world’s highest unclimbed peak, Gangkhar Puensum, at 24,836 feet.
An interesting fact about Bhutan – the general prosperity of the country is measured by the ‘Gross National Happiness’ index, explained by its four pillars – sustainable development, good governance, cultural preservation and environmental protection. Also, continually ranked as the happiest country in Asia and the eighth-happiest country in the world according to a survey by Business Week.
Bhutanese have a strong reverence towards nature and the country leads in environmental conservation. People use cotton bags instead of plastic bags to keep the environment free of non- biodegradable items. Also, the Tobacco Control Act regulates tobacco, banning the cultivation, harvesting, production, and its sale in Bhutan.
Bhutanese cuisine is known for its spiciness, most Bhutanese people do not enjoy a meal if it is not spicy. Rice and chillis are the main ingredients of most meals, accompanied by side dishes consisting of vegetables or pork, beef, and chicken. Ema Datshi is the national dish of Bhutan. Rich in cultural diversity, every village in Bhutan has a unique festival, Tshechu is the most important and widely celebrated of all festivals.
Dwelling on its tourism industry, Bhutan attracts many travellers from across the globe because of its untouched mountains, serenity, and vibrancy. The Punakha Dzong- arguably the most beautiful Dzong in the country, Trashi Chhoe Dzong, the Paro Dzong and the Taktshang Goemba also known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery are the main attractions of the country.
Top attractions you should’t Miss
- Dochula Pass in Thimphu
- Mebar Tsho – Bumthang
- Taktsang Monastery, Paro
- Punakha Dzong, Punakha
- Gasa Dzong, Gasa
- The Tower of Trongsa Museum, Trongsa
- Radhi Village, Trashigang
- Gangtey Valley, Wangdue Phodrang
Offbeat places in Bhutan
- Haa Valley
- The National Folk Heritage Museum
- Bumthang Valley
- Kila Nunnery
The best time to visit Bhutan is during the months of March to May and September and November.
How to Reach Bhutan?
Bhutan can be easily reached by air, train and road from various countries. Many countries have direct flights to Bhutan. By land, there are two entry roads through Phuentsholing and Gelephu, linking with the Indian states of West Bengal and Assam respectively.
By Air: Paro International Airport is the one and only international airport to enter into Bhutan by air. There are international flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok, Bagdogra, Dhaka, Bodh Gaya, Kathmandu, Singapore, Guwahati, and Mumbai.
