About Bhutan

The essentials about the Kingdom of Bhutan: its people, climate, languages, national symbols and its favourite sport.

At a glance

Local name	Druk Yul
Capital	Thimphu, 2,200 m
Area	47,000 sq km
Population	779,898 (Sept 2021)
Government	Constitutional monarchy
King	Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, since 2006
Religion	Buddhist, with a Hindu minority
Currency	Ngultrum, pegged to the rupee
Time zone	GMT +6
Dialling code	+975
Electricity	230V, 50Hz
Forest cover	Nearly three-quarters

Climate

Weather by season

Subtropical in the south, alpine in the north. Altitude matters most: Punakha and Wangdue (1,300 m) are warmest, Bumthang (2,580 m) is coldest.

Mar–Jun

Spring

Warm days, cool nights and clear skies in the central valleys. High treks open up.

Jul–Sep

Monsoon

Heavy rain in the south; much less in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Trekking stops.

Sep–Nov

Autumn

Clearer skies and warm sun. The best trekking season.

Dec–Feb

Winter

Cold nights and bright, warm days. Snow on high passes, not in the valleys.

Language

Languages of Bhutan

Who speaks what

Dzongkha is the national language, with at least seven major dialects such as Bumthap, Kurtoep, Khengkha and Tshangla. Nepali is widely spoken, Hindi is understood, and English is taught in schools, so nearly everyone understands it.

Useful Dzongkha phrases

English	Dzongkha
Hello	Kuzuzangpo la
Thank you	Kadrin chey la
Goodbye	Tashi delek
How much?	Gaa dam chi mo la
What is your name?	Chhey gi ming gha chi mo
Food	Shay go
Women’s dress	Kira
Men’s dress	Gho

Symbols

National symbols

National animal

Takin

A rare goat-antelope found only in the eastern Himalayas.

National bird

Raven

It adorns the royal crown.

National flower

Blue poppy

Grows to about 1 m on rocky mountain slopes.

National tree

Cypress

Often found near religious sites.

National flag

Created 1947

Final design set in 1956.

National emblem

Thunderbolt & lotus

A double thunderbolt above a lotus, framed by two dragons.

National anthem

Official since 1966

First composed in 1953.

National Day

17 December

Marks the first king taking the throne in 1907.

National sport

Archery (dha)

A day at the range

Nearly every village has an archery range. Teams in traditional dress shoot at small wooden targets 140 m apart, almost three times the Olympic distance. A good shot earns a slow celebration dance, songs and a coloured scarf, while cheerleaders tease the other team.

Traditional bamboo bows are still used in heritage tournaments; many archers now shoot modern compound bows.

Where to watch

Matches run most weekends, with practice on weekday afternoons. The national traditional-bow tournament is held in Dechencholing in May. Ask your guide to stop at a local range.

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