A Glimpse of Bhutan
Bhutan is a tiny Himalayan Kingdom nestled between China with province of Tibet in the North and Indian state of Assam, West Bengal and Sikkim in east, south and west respectively. Bhutan is one of the rare and most unique travel and best destination in the world. Adorned with colorful prayer flags amidst the lush greenery of a pristine environment; Bhutan offers the experience of Buddhist tradition in a setting of unique tradition, architecture and the breathtaking Himalayan landscape. The friendly people of Bhutan; share with you their traditional lifestyle, which because of the limited number of foreigners visiting this country has upheld much of its historical and cultural authenticity.

Climate variations, coupled with the huge changes in altitude, make Bhutan; a country with an extremely rich flora and fauna. A trip to Bhutan; is an opportunity to experience a Himalayan Buddhist culture little disturbed by outside influence. Bhutan has: Undefiled nature, profound religion and Timeless culture.

Today, Bhutan stands as a unique nation that blends the forces of modernization with its tradition and culture.
 

The Culture of Bhutan
In contrast with many countries, traditional arts, age-old ceremonies, festivals, social conduct and structures are not remnant of a bygone age. Traditional arts & crafts are still practiced as they were done hundreds of years ago. Lively festivals are celebrated and social principles like age-old etiquette and code of conduct are still evident as they have special significance in the daily lives of the people.

Bhutanese language & literature, arts & crafts, drama, music, ceremonies and events, architecture and basic social and cultural values draw their essence from Buddhism. The influence of religion is highly visible in everyday life. Hundreds of sacred monasteries, stupas, religious institutions, mani walls, fluttering prayer flags mark the countryside, providing a strong atmosphere for the teaching of their living faith.



People & Language
The population of Bhutan is approximately 0.7 million. The people of Bhutan are called ‘Drukpas’ comprising approximately 65% mongoloid origin while 25% are ethnic Nepalese and 10% are other migrant tribes.
The official language of Bhutan is ‘Dzongkha’. It is widely spoken in the kingdom. Nepali is also a major language widely spoken by the people of southern Bhutan who are of Nepalese origin. Tsangla or Sharchopkha is another major dialect spoken by the people from eastern Bhutan. There are also many local dialects used in many regions of Bhutan.
Drukpas are composed of three main ethnic groups, that is: Ngalops, Sharshops and Lhotsampas. Ngalops the first group originally from Tibet who are the followers of Buddhism and settled mostly in the western & central Bhutan. Sharshops, the second group who immigrated from northern Burma & northeast India and settled in eastern Bhutan. Lhotsampas are the third group migrated to Bhutan from Nepal in the early 20th century for agricultural land and work. They live predominantly in the southern plains.

Geography
The ‘Land of Thunder Dragon’ or the kingdom of Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas and lies between Tibet in the north and northwest and India to its remaining borders. It is a landlocked and mountainous country. The Himalayan highland reaches the height over 7,300 meters. The total area of the kingdom is 47,000 square KM, which is as big as Switzerland. It is composed of three geographic regions: the high Himalayas of north with alpine climate with snow all the year round, the hills and valleys of central region with cool temperate climate and foothills and plains of south with hot & humid climate.

Economy
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for about 79% of the people who live in rural areas. Agriculture sector, including horticulture and livestock rearing contribute about 36% of the GDP. Majority of the farmers practice traditional method of agriculture, although farm mechanization and hybrid seeds have been introduced since the inception of planned economy development.
Water resources in Bhutan are abundant and have the potential to generate more than 30,000 MW of electricity.
Currently Bhutan produces approximately 600MW of power and big project like Tala, Kurichu and Basochhu are near completion. These three projects together generate approximately 1200MW of power. Apart from domestic consumption almost 80% of the power is exported to India and is one of the major sources of Bhutan’s revenue. The power sector’s contribution to GDP in 2000 was 11.6 percent.
The manufacturing sector in Bhutan is small and is mainly dependent on agro and mineral based industries. This sector contributes about 9.6 percent to the GDP. The main products include: processed food, cement, Ferro silicon, calcium carbide and wood based industries.



Cultrual Tour Program
Bhutan opened its door to tourism in 1974 coinciding with the coronation of our present king Jigme Singye Wangchuk. It is one of the world’s most exclusive tourists destinations. The travelers who visit this enchanted realm will discover that there is no other destination than this enchanted land of pure and exotic mysticism. Our well designed cultural tours introduces visitors to the unique aspects of festivals and pilgrimage sites and on whichever tour you choose, there are fascinating excursions to villages, temples or scenic spots to have a close look at the culture and a land which remains pristine for centuries for example of the Himalayan way of life in existence today. The given cultural programs can be further modified to suit the choice of our valued clients.

History
Based on the records of stone implements Bhutan was probably first inhabited early around 1500 - 2000 BC.

Buddhism is outstandingly marked in the religious history of Bhutan. It was first introduced in the 7th century with the building of the first two Buddhist temples by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. One is in Bumthang ‘Jambay Lhakhang’ and the other is in Paro ‘Kichu Lhakhang’. The Buddhist faith became increasingly popular when Padmashmbhava or "Guru Rimpoche" brought the Tantric form of Buddhism into Bhutan in 747 AD.

Since the 12th century, many religious schools had spread widely throughout the Kingdom and from 13th century onwards the people have had more rapidly adopted Buddhism, but later there were conflicts among different religious schools. Moreover, from the 15th century when many clans and noble families started to rule the different regions of the country, quarrels frequently burst out among the rulers in different valleys. Besides these; many invasions by Tibet took place in 1634, 1639, 1645 & 1648.

The country had been seriously unstable politically and religiously until the 17th century when a religious leader Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel of Drukpa School fled from Tibet & took refuge here in Bhutan. He built most of the Dzongs (fortified monasteries) in Bhutan and also fought against enemies from abroad & inside the country. He then established himself as the religious ruler with the honorary title of Shabdrung (meaning: ‘at whose feet one submits’). Shabdrung died in 1651 but his political system continued till the beginning of 20th century. However, internal disputes, political conflicts and civil wars broke out after his death. In 1907, political stability was re-established in the country when Ugyen Wangchuk was elected to be the first king of Bhutan by the assembly of representatives of the monastic community, civil servants and the people, thereby hereditary monarchy was established under the Wangchuk Dynasty. The present king Jigme Singye Wangchuk is the fourth in line.




Religion
Bhutan has two main religions, Buddhism and Hinduism. Bhutan is the only country in the world to have maintained the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion. In the south, the people follow their own religion ‘Hinduism’.

The freedom regarding different religious believes is accepted at a certain level. People can hold and practice their own religion in which they believe. However, the government does not permit public expression of other faiths & doctrines. There might be social pressure against the expression of external faiths.




Arts & Crafts
The most exciting and vital aspects of the Bhutanese tradition and heritage are found in its arts and crafts. Much of Bhutanese spiritual and intellectual life is manifested through its arts. Bhutanese arts are not primarily concerned with abstracts of ‘beauty’ (that may appeal to few), but with interpretation of values and beliefs that are held by vast majority and which embody the eternal stream of life or consciousness. It is a subjective process deeply imbued with strong sense of morality, with many art forms epitomizing the eternal struggle between forces of good and evil.

Bhutanese art & craft, particularly those that are religious in their thematic content flow strict iconographic rules. Merit can be earned only if the prescribed rules are strictly followed. Bhutanese arts have been influenced largely by Tibetan & Indian. Artworks are mainly created for religious purposes since artists were traditionally monks. Nowadays, artists can be anyone who has artistic gift. The main work of art is to gain merit.

Crafts are sold very expensively in Bhutan, especially woven fabrics. Actually they are not made for selling to tourists. Many women, especially in central and eastern Bhutan, weave at home. They do not belong to any particular social group or corporation, but are simple village women who use their spare time to weave clothes for their family and sell what is left over. Most craftsmen, except gold smiths and painters, are peasants who produce craft products, particularly daily articles and fabrics during their free time. The examples of renowned specialties from different regions are the silks from eastern Bhutan, woolen products from Bumthang , Bamboo wares from Khyeng (central Bhutan), Brocade from Lhuntse, wooden crafts from Tashiyangtse (eastern Bhutan), gold & silver work from Thimphu and yak hair goods from northern region of Lingtshi & Laya.




Architecture
Architecture is also a significant feature of the Bhutanese identity. Dzongs (fortresses), Lhakhangs (temples), Goenpas (monasteries), Chortens (stupas), palaces, bridges and vernacular housing that can be seen across the country side form the diverse but harmonious architectural aspirations of the culture heritage and living tradition of the Bhutanese people. The unmatched combination of engineering skill and aesthetic beauty is reflected in all structures. Traditional shapes, colors and patrons on the walls, doors, windows, places Bhutanese architecture in a class of its own.
Among the diverse architectural expressions of the country, the castle-like dzongs, with their massive stonewalls, large courtyards and beautiful architectural details and galleries, are the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture.

Impressive monasteries, set in commanding positions on hilltops or at the confluence of rivers, are the administrative centers of their regions. The dzong represents a unique architectural marvel. Hundreds of wooden planks are joined together without a single nail and no formal architectural plan goes into its construction.

Secular architecture in Bhutan finds its main form in traditional farmhouses. Bhutanese houses have a distinct character from those of other Himalayan countries. Due to steep terrains, they are usually built as scattered houses or in clusters rather than in rows. Most traditional houses are relatively spacious and take advantage of the sunlight. Family dwellings are often three storied, with room for livestock on the ground floor, storage and sometimes-living quarters on the second floor, while the third floor houses living quarters and a choesham (shrine).Between the third floor and the roof an open space is usually kept for open-air storage. Boulders over the lath are set to hold down wooden shingles on the roof truss. Windows and doors are normally painted giving the house a very festive appearance. Floral, animal and religious motifs are mainly used as themes for colorful paintings. The typical construction materials use in traditional Bhutanese houses is timber, stone, clay and bricks.




Paintings
Bhutanese painting can be classified into 3 groups: paintings on statues, murals & banners. One interesting thing about statue painting is that the clay statues are painted all over and metal statues are painted only on the face.

Bhutan is also well known for mural paintings. For example: the cosmic Mandalas at the entrance of dzongs and temples. Legends of Buddha are normally represented on wall paintings.

The banner paintings are shown only during the important religious festivals and ceremonies. They show god & goddesses in artistic & colorful combinations and are very imaginative.




Tourism Policy
Tourism in Bhutan was privatized by the Royal Government of Bhutan in 1991 before which time the tourism industry was solely run by the government. However despite of the privatization of tourism, the tourism licenses were still relativly restricted (only 33 tour operators until 1998). After the silver jubilee coronation of our present king, in the year 1999, the government liberalized the licensing policy particularly for tourism industry and started issuing licenses to all interested people who applied. Today it is a vibrant business with over 120 tour operators.

The Tourism Industry in Bhutan is based on the principle of sustainability, indicating that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially & culturally acceptable and economically viable. Thus it adheres strongly to a policy of low volume high quality and high value tourism. The number of tourists visiting Bhutan is regulated at a manageable level. The control on the number of tourists is exercised through a policy of government regulated tourist tariff of minimum US$ 200 per person per night. However this policy does not mean that the tourists cannot visit Bhutan after certain numbers annually. As long as the tourists can afford to pay, there is no restriction on the numbers of tourists visiting annually. So far the maximum record of tourists visited Bhutan annually reached 7000. Hence you will be one of the lucky few to have an opportunity to explore this enchanted realm.

All tours must be booked through recognized Bhutanese Tour Operator such as Experience Bhutan Travel and the same agent will provide entire land arrangements.




Environment
The people of Bhutan have treasured their natural environment and have lived in harmony with its elements respecting the sanctity of life and revering the mountains, forests and rivers as abodes of gods and spirits.

Bhutan has been identified as one of the 10 bio-diversity hot spots in the world and as one of the 221 global endemic bird areas. Almost 72% of the land is covered by forests of temperate and sub-tropical species that are a natural habitat for a diversity of flora & fauna. Its various ecosystems harbor some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas. An estimated 770 species of birds and about 55 species of rhododendron, along with an astounding variety of medicinal plants (over 300 species) and orchids are endemic to this region.

Nine national parks and wild life sanctuaries are home to some of the rare and most significant animals in the world. This has become possible as a result of the combined efforts of the government and the people to keep the country’s flora & fauna undisturbed. Bhutan is one of very few developing countries where much of the natural resources base is still remain intact.

Recreation
Sporting activites are a crucial part of Bhutanese national culture. Games such as Degor (discuss), Pungdo (shot put), Khuru (darts), Soksum (Javeline), and Keshi (wrestling) all form an integral part of everyday Bhutanese life.

Archery is the national sport and so it remains the favorite past time both for the young and old alike.

Modern sports such as Football(Soccer), Golf, Lawn Tennis, Basketball, Boxing, Table tennis, Taekwondo, Badminton, and Volleyball are growing in popularity and are encouraged along with safeguarding the old ones. Other past times include: snooker, pool and nightclubs.




Climate
The climate in Bhutan differs greatly from one region to another because of its topography. Tropical with monsoon season in the southern plains, winter with hot summer in the central valleys and very cold winter and cool summer in the north. Bhutan’s climate is changeable and unpredictable, not only varying among the various regions, but also varying enormously from day to day or even on the same day.