Bhutan General Information
Hidden in the mighty Himalayas, between India and China, the independent Bhutan have largely lived a life of isolation from the world. They have succeeded in maintaining their cultural and spiritual heritage preserved in age-old traditions.
With the coming of the first surfaced road in the 1960s, Bhutan opened its door to a handful of tourists in 1974, mostly at the invitation of the government. Today, only a little over 15000 tourists visit every year and the Royal Governments policy is to continue maintaining the country’s traditions and protecting the natural environment.
Bhutan exudes a special charm, a feeling of calm and serenity, which envelops each visitor the very instant they set foot in the kingdom. The people are deeply religious, following the Lamaist form of Buddhism. The air of spirituality is evident, even in the urban centers where spinning of prayer wheels, the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps in the houses are still important features of everyday life. Monasteries, temples and religious monuments are dotted across the landscape, bearing witness to the importance of Buddhism, while red-robed monks , young and old, are everywhere, mingling freely in towns, villages and markets.
Bhutan boasts a wealth of bio-diversity with nearly three quarters of the total area covered by forests, which has led to it being declared one of the 10 global hot-spots for environmental conservation. This rich Himalayan flora and fauna, dazzling snow capped peaks, lush valleys and unbelievably beautiful rural landscapes imprint themselves upon the mind of the visitors forever.
It is fact that even the most experienced travelers will find Bhutan to be a revelation and will feel themselves drawn back again and again to experience the beauty, charm and spirituality of the kingdom and its people. Very few travelers have the privilege of visiting this remarkable country and experiencing the warmth of its people.
