Quick Facts

Capital city: Thimphu
National name: Druk Yul, "Land of the Thunder Dragon"
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India. Strategic location between China and India; landlocked; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Area: total: 47,000 sq km
Climate: Varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Currency: Bhutan's currency is called Ngultrum or (Nu). 100 Chhetrum makes 1 Ngultrum or (Nu). Indian Rupee is legal acceptable in Bhutan. Current exchange rate is approximately US$ 1 = Nu. 45. You can exchange Pound Sterling and US Dollars. (hours 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Monday to Friday).

People of Bhutan
Bhutanese are a mongoloid race of people who originally migrated into and settled the country in the 7th Century AD. A nomadic and pastoral society at first, they gradually turned to agriculture in the fertile valleys.There are three main ethnic groups - the Ngalongs in the western and central regions are the descendants of Tibetan immigrants who arrived in Bhutan from the 9th century. The Sharchops who live in the east of the country, are recognized as the original inhabitants of Bhutan. The third group is known as Lhotshampas. They represent the Nepali speaking ethnic group. The total population of Bhutan is about 600,000.

Stacking Your Postcards

Thrumsingla National Park
This park stretches over 768 km. It is the second major temperate reserve in Bhutan, and contains spectacular scenic views and beautiful forests from alpine to subtropical broadleaf and chirpine.There is an abundant wildlife trail stretching from the Ura valley down to the Bumthang valley. The Rodungla Trek passes through this park

Paro Dzong
Paro Dzong was built on an existing foundation in 1646. It has been destroyed numerous times by fire and eartquakes. One thing that survived these natural calamities was the great Thangka (Scroll), which is displayed once a year for only a few hours during the Paro Tsechu (festival).

Chamkhar Town (Bumthang)
This small quiet town is situated in central Bhutan. It is the capital of the Bumthang province. This valley also houses the largest number of temples and meditation centres in Bhutan. It takes almost nine hours to reach this valley from the capital city (Thimphu).

Memorial Chorten
This chorten was built as a memorial to the Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jime Dorji Wangchuk. It is located in the capital, Thimphu. The third king is remembered as the 'Father of Modern Bhutan' because he initiated the modern development process in Bhutan.

Destination Guides

Paro
Paro itself, a small fast growing town, is surprising because it confronts the visitor with the law that all buildings in the country have to be built in the traditional architecture, even the airport, besides that they all are built without blueprints. Along the mainstreet you will find one shop beside another, very small, interesting the way the shopowners enter their shops, they just take a ladder and enter by way of the frontwindow. - Paro Dzong, used as a defensework against Tibetean invasion, today the border is closed and guarded, is one of the numerous Dzongs in the country now used as administrative and monastic centres, to be seen in the way they are built, both parts are strictly separated, what doesn't mean that they do not work together. Above the Dzong a watchtower dominates the valley and the road to Tibet and now houses the National Museum, depicting the history of the country, specially interesting for philatelists, because on display is a collection of Bhutan's stamps.

Punakha
The road winds up from Simtokha Dzong into pine forest and through small villages for 20Kms and then opens miraculously onto the northern ridge of the mountain.The view over the Himalayan panoply at Dorchula Pass at 10,500 Feet is one of the most sepactacular in all Bhutan. Punakha lies about two hours drive from Dorchula down low in its valley.Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan untill 1955.Punakha Dzong was strategically built at the junction of the two rivers in the 17th Century by the first Shabdrung to serve as the religious and admininistrative centre.Punakha Dzong houses sacred temples including the Marchen where the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal lies in the state.

Thimpu
Thimpu, perhaps the most unnsual capital city in the world, is a bustling town on the banks of its own river and set gloriously in the hills of its own valley. A regal town, Thimphu is home to the revered Bhutanese Royal family and to several foreign missions and development projects.

On the blank of the river lies Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty the king of Bhutan. The National Assembly King of Bhutan. The National Assembly Hall is housed in a modern building on the other side of the river from the Dzong. Visitors are strictly prohibited from entering the government building at all during an active session.

Tongsa
In the cenre of Bhutan and four hours by road from Wangduephodrang, Tongsa offers a welcome rest to travellers.The approach to the town involves a frustrating 14Kms trip around Tongsa Valley. A vantage point from the opposite side of the valley,still 14Kms from Tongsa,provides a spectacular view of Dzong and the town.Like alomost all towns in Bhutan,the secular and the religious centre,the Dzong,dominates the horizon,dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Tongsa is the Royal Family's ancestral home.Protected from invaders by an impenetrable valley,Tongsa Dzong is an impregnable fortress.The Dzong itself is a labyrinth of temples corridors and offices holding court over the local community.It is built on many levels into the side of the hill and can be seen from every approach to Tongsa heralding its strength as a defensive stronghold.

Phajoding
To the west of Thimphu, the Phajoding monastery overlooks the town from 10,000 feet and commands a splendid view of whole area. Visitors may also go to Dontsho la pass for an impressive vista of snow peaks, lakes, streams and alpine flowers, and to Dochu la, another scenic mountain pass, where the panorama of vivid rhododendrons and azaleas against the backdrop of the great Himalayas is breathtaking.