Bhutan

Overview

Bhutan is a landlocked kingdom in the eastern Himalayas, situated between China and India, with terrain almost entirely covered by mountains. The country follows Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion, which deeply shapes both daily life and architecture. Since 1972, Bhutan has measured development using the concept of Gross National Happiness rather than gross domestic product alone, factoring in the wellbeing of the population, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. Tourism is designed for a limited number of visitors, with a daily fee required for entry, aimed at avoiding mass tourism.

Taktshang Monastery, known as the "Tiger's Nest," is built into the side of a 900-meter cliff face, on the site where, according to tradition, the Buddhist master Padmasambhava arrived flying on the back of a tiger in the 8th century. Thimphu, the capital, is home to Tashichho Dzong, a fortress and monastery that serves as both the seat of government and a religious center, and stands as one of the city's defining buildings. Punakha Dzong, at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, served as Bhutan's former capital and winter monastery, and stands as a major example of dzong architecture. The Paro Valley, home to the country's main international airport, is known for traditional Bhutanese villages and rice terraces.

The Bhutanese section of the Himalayas offers numerous peaks for climbers and hikers, though the highest summits, including Gangkhar Puensum, are off-limits to mountaineering for religious reasons. The country's constitution requires that forest cover not fall below 60 percent of total land area, making Bhutan one of the most heavily forested countries in Asia. Local cuisine is built around rice and chili peppers, with ema datshi, made from green or red chili peppers and local cheese (datshi), as a signature dish.