Land of the Thunder Dragon

This week, as part of a tour to India, Wills and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will also visit the mystical kingdom of Bhutan. Why not follow in the royal footsteps and discover this hidden corner of the Himalayas for yourself?

It wasn’t until the 1970s that Bhutan opened itself up to tourism. These decades of isolation are what make it such a fascinating place – its culture has been preserved almost perfectly. Pair that with a government who both wishes to achieve the highest Gross National Happiness, and made laws to keep the traditional culture intact (such as making it compulsory to wear national dress to work) and you’ve got a treasure trove of pristine history, culture and environment. No wonder the people are so well-educated, fun-loving and vibrant! The very best place to experience all of this is in the capital city Thimphu, where as well as soaking up the atmosphere, you can visit the fascinating National Institute for Zorig Chusum, set up to preserve culture and traditional arts.

Buddhism is the heart and soul of Bhutan with 75% of people following the religion. It is believed that Buddhism came over from Tibet with Guru Rinpoche, who spent years meditating in a cave near Paro. To mark this spot today is Bhutan’s holiest and best known sight – Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Built in 1692 and sits a precarious and spectacular 900 metres above the floor of the Paro Valley. As well as founding many monasteries, Buddhism has also influenced Bhutan’s traditional architecture, particularly in the form of the dzong. Built as a towering fortress, the massive walls protect a complex of temples, offices and monks’ accommodation – they serve as religious, military, administrative centre of their district. Both the Paro and Punakha dzongs are considered the most magnificent examples of traditional architecture in the country – they are not to be missed.

Lodged between Tibet and India, in the midst of Himalayan peaks, Bhutan’s scenery is second to none. Covered in ancient forest and with a wealth of diverse flora and fauna, its landscapes are just as spectacular as its culture is authentic. And thanks to the Gross National Happiness philosophy, the government has decreed that at least 60% of the country must stay forested for future generations, meaning that this dramatic and unspoiled environment is protected. Whilst you travel around Bhutan you’ll pass through much of this astounding scenery, but if you want to spend a little time lost in it, try heading to the Bumthang region – 40 years ago it was only accessible by mule and on foot! This area of four valleys are Bhutan’s heartlands, with subsistence farming villages dotting the beautiful landscapes.

Bhutan prides itself on its ‘low volume, high quality’ tourism, something that is strictly overseen by the government in an effort to preserve the culture and keep the country from being overrun by high impact tourism. So far it’s working perfectly for locals and foreigners alike – visitors can have the quintessential Bhutanese experience. As things currently stand, and the way they will remain for the foreseeable future, to visit Bhutan you need to book a package. This package includes your visa, which must be approved by Bhutan’s government, and all accommodation, food, transportation and a guide. Whilst is may sound like a faff, Asia Inspirations can sort it all out for you and you get a far more authentic experience whilst you are away!

Click here for more information on Bhutan or contact Asia Inspirations now to discuss your own royal visit to Bhutan!

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