|
Bhutan is a unique country both culturally and environmentally. Perched high in the Himalayas, it is the world’s last remaining Buddhist Kingdom. It has developed the philosophy of Gross National Happiness; where development is measured using a holistic approach of well-being, not just based on gross domestic product. Chilies are considered a vegetable and are often served in a cheese sauce. Traditional culture has been very well preserved with the requirement that all Bhutanese government employees wear the national dress at work and all citizens wear national dress while visiting schools and other government offices. Many citizens, particularly adults, choose to wear the customary dress as formal attire which involves wearing a traditional, bathrobe-like gho (which handily has a pocket for mobile phones!). In June 1999, Bhutan allowed television broadcasting to begin for the first time. Bhutan also requires all buildings to be built in the traditional Bhutanese architectural style (even the airport).
Photos of Taktsang Palphug Monastery – also known as Tiger’s Nest (altitude of around 3,048 metres), a visit involves a long walk up the mountain finishing in 850 stairs with a sheer drop on one side!
Rinpung Dzong (built 1646), a large Buddhist monastery and fortress in Paro District which houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices. Some scenes in the 1993 film Little Buddha were filmed there.
Punakha Dzong, completed in 1631 is the winter capital (for the monks) of Bhutan.
Photos of Taktsang Palphug Monastery – also known as Tiger’s Nest (altitude of around 3,048 metres), a visit involves a long walk up the mountain finishing in 850 stairs with a sheer drop on one side!
Rinpung Dzong (built 1646), a large Buddhist monastery and fortress in Paro District which houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices. Some scenes in the 1993 film Little Buddha were filmed there.
Punakha Dzong, completed in 1631 is the winter capital (for the monks) of Bhutan.