About
Bhutan is a small Buddhist kingdom tucked into the eastern Himalayas in Asia. It is a destination that rewards slow travel, where the pace of a visit tends to match the pace of the landscape: steep valleys, high passes and mountains that rise sharply above the land around them.
The country is known by the names Bhutan, the Kingdom of Bhutan and Druk Yul. Visitors often hear it discussed for two reasons: its use of Gross National Happiness as a way of thinking about national progress, and its environmental policies, which aim to keep the country carbon-negative. Both ideas shape the feel of the place, from the emphasis on preserved forests to the calm that many travellers notice in towns and villages.
What a visit offers
- Monasteries built on hillsides and in valleys, central to religious life across the kingdom.
- Fortresses that reflect the country's long architectural tradition and its strong sense of place.
- Mountain landscapes that change dramatically with altitude and season.
Planning your trip
Bhutan suits travellers who enjoy walking, scenic drives and time spent on religious and cultural sites. Because the terrain is mountainous and roads wind through it, distances take longer than the map suggests. Allow room in your plans for the landscape, and for the quiet that comes with it.
Whether it fits your trip depends on what you seek: a destination that combines spiritual architecture, dramatic scenery and a distinctive approach to national well-being, set in one of the great mountain regions of Asia.