Bhutan: Kingdom in the Himalayas

Situated in a hidden corner of the eastern Himalayas, the recently unveiled country of Bhutan is rich with hospitality, deep traditions, and a passion for preserving the environment. The “Land of the Thunder Dragon” first opened its doors to tourism in 1974, and although it has since experienced a cascade of modernization, the Bhutanese have carefully maintained a clear national identity.
    Your journey begins in the cultural center of Paro. Here you behold the warm reception and colorful
dress of the Bhutanese people. Venturing through this rugged country, you find yourself surrounded byuntouched mountaintops and deep, fast-flowing rivers, whose sources are these magnificent snowcapped peaks. You also observe the distinct architecture of Bhutan, from quaint farmhouses to monasteries, temples and the extraordinary dzongs, citadels originally built to serve as the kingdom’s fortresses and now also used as monasteries and administrative centers.
    “Gross national happiness” is His Majesty’s description of the kingdom’s development goals, and an apt reflection of the vibrant combination of Bhutan’s medieval and modern histories.