festivites

Some of the major festivities or holidays in Bhutan, along with a brief explanation of their cultural significance and how they are celebrated, are:

1. Losar - It is the Bhutanese New Year, which usually falls in February or March. Losar is celebrated for three days, with each day having its own significance. People visit monasteries, offer prayers, and make special dishes like momos and chang (a local alcoholic beverage).

2. Paro Tsechu - Tsechus are religious festivals that are celebrated in different parts of Bhutan throughout the year. The Paro Tsechu, held in the spring (usually in April), is one of the most popular ones. The highlight of the festival is the Cham dance, during which masked dancers perform to scare away evil spirits and bless the audience.

3. Thimphu Tshechu - This is another popular tsechu celebrated in the capital city of Thimphu, usually in September or October. The festival features various mask dances, including the famous "Dance of the Black Hats," which depicts the triumph of good over evil.

4. Punakha Drubchen - Held in the town of Punakha in February or March, this festival celebrates the victory of Bhutanese forces over Tibetan invaders in the 17th century. The festival includes a reenactment of the historic battle, as well as other traditional dances and rituals.

5. Wangduephodrang Tshechu - This tsechu is celebrated in the town of Wangduephodrang, usually in September or October. The festival features the Raksha Mangcham dance, in which dancers wear masks and costumes representing various deities and animals.

These are just a few examples of the many festivals and holidays celebrated in Bhutan, each with its own unique traditions and cultural significance.

seasons

Bhutan has three main tourist seasons:

1. High Season: March to May and September to November are the peak season for tourism in Bhutan. During these months, the weather is usually pleasant with clear skies, making it ideal for trekking and outdoor activities. However, the prices for accommodations and tours are higher during this period.

2. Low Season: December to February is considered as the low season in Bhutan due to cold temperatures and occasional snowfall. However, this is a good time to visit if you want to avoid crowds and get lower rates on hotels and tours.

3. Shoulder Season: June to August is the shoulder season in Bhutan. The weather is warm and humid, and there may be occasional rainfall. This is also the time when the country celebrates its famous festivals, including the Thimphu Tshechu and Paro Tshechu.

Recommendations:
- Book your accommodation and tour packages well in advance.
- Pack clothes according to the season you plan to travel in.
- Respect the culture and traditions of Bhutan and follow the local customs.
- Obtain necessary permits and visas for your travel beforehand.

visa

Citizens of all countries require a visa to enter Bhutan, and the visa can only be obtained through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or international partner. The special VISA rules for Bhutan are:

1. All tourists must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided package tour.
2. A minimum daily package rate is set by the government (US$250-$290 depending on the season), which includes accommodation, meals, transportation, and a licensed guide.
3. Visas are issued only after the full payment of the tour package and must be applied for at least 30 days in advance.

The cost of the entire tour package varies depending on the length of stay, type of accommodation, and time of year. On average, a 7-day tour package can cost about $2,500-$3,000 per person. The visa fee itself is included in the package and costs approximately $40.

souvenirs

Some of the best souvenirs to buy from Bhutan, along with their average prices and where to buy them, are:

1. Handwoven textiles - Price range: $10-$1000+; Available at handicraft shops, textile museums, and local markets.
2. Prayer Flags - Price range: $5-$20; Available at handicraft shops, monasteries, and local markets.
3. Bhutanese Incense - Price range: $3-$50; Available at handicraft shops and local markets.
4. Traditional Bhutanese jewelry - Price range: $10-$500+; Available at handicraft shops and local markets.
5. Wooden crafts - Price range: $5-$200+; Available at handicraft shops and local markets.
6. Bhutanese postage stamps - Price range: $0.5-$50+; Available at post offices and souvenir shops.
7. Singing bowls - Price range: $50-$500+; Available at handicraft shops and local markets.

Please note that these prices are approximate and may vary depending on the quality, size, and location of purchase.

If you have 1 week

How exciting! Bhutan is a country full of natural beauty, rich culture, and unique experiences. Here's a one-week itinerary that I think you'll love:

Day 1-2: Paro
You can start your journey in Paro, which is home to the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery. This incredible temple is perched on the edge of a cliff and offers stunning panoramic views of the valley below. You can hike up to the monastery, which takes about 2-3 hours, or you can ride a horse for part of the way.

Day 3-4: Thimphu
Next, head to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Here, you can visit the Buddha Dordenma statue, which is one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world. You can also explore the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan, where you can learn about traditional Bhutanese weaving techniques and see beautiful examples of hand-woven textiles.

Day 5-6: Punakha
After Thimphu, drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. Here, you can visit the Punakha Dzong, which is one of the most impressive dzongs (fortresses) in the country. The dzong is situated at the confluence of two rivers and features intricate architectural details and beautiful paintings.

Day 7: Haa Valley
On your final day, take a scenic drive to the Haa Valley, which is known for its unspoiled natural beauty and traditional architecture. You can visit Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo, two ancient temples that are said to have been built on the wings of two pigeons. You can also take a leisurely stroll through the valley, enjoying the fresh mountain air and stunning scenery.

Overall, this itinerary will give you a taste of all the amazing things that Bhutan has to offer - from breathtaking natural wonders to ancient temples and rich cultural traditions. I hope you have an unforgettable trip!

If you have 2 weeks

Awesome, Bhutan is a fascinating country with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural scenery. Here's a two-week itinerary that I recommend for you:

Week 1:
- Paro: Start your journey in Paro, which is home to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba). The monastery is perched on a cliff overlooking the valley and is a must-visit for its stunning views and spiritual significance.
- Thimphu: Next, head to the capital city of Thimphu, where you can visit the National Memorial Chorten, the Tashichho Dzong fortress, and the Buddha Dordenma statue, which is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. You can also explore the vibrant local markets and sample some delicious Bhutanese cuisine.
- Punakha: From Thimphu, drive to Punakha, which was once the capital of Bhutan. Here, you can visit the Punakha Dzong, which is located at the confluence of two rivers and is considered one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan.

Week 2:
- Gangtey: Head to the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, where you can visit the Gangtey Monastery, which is a center for Buddhist studies and meditation. The valley is also a great place for bird watching and trekking.
- Bumthang: Explore the Bumthang Valley, which is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan and is home to many ancient temples and monasteries. Some of the must-visit places here include the Jakar Dzong, the Jambay Lhakhang temple, and the Kurjey Lhakhang temple.
- Haa: Finally, end your trip in the scenic Haa Valley, which is known for its pristine natural beauty and traditional way of life. Here, you can visit the Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple), which are two ancient temples that are believed to have been built in a day.

I recommend this itinerary because it will give you a chance to experience the best of Bhutan, from its cultural heritage to its natural beauty. You'll get to visit some of the most iconic landmarks in the country, as well as explore some lesser-known but equally beautiful places. Plus, Bhutan is known for its emphasis on sustainable tourism and preserving its unique culture, so you'll be supporting a responsible travel industry while you're there.

Culture



Bhutan has a rich and unique cultural heritage that has largely remained intact because of its isolation from the rest of the world until the mid-20th century. One of the main attractions for tourists is the country's culture and traditions. Bhutanese tradition is deeply steeped in its Buddhist heritage. Hinduism is the second most dominant religion in Bhutan, being most prevalent in the southern regions. The government is increasingly making efforts to preserve and sustain the current culture and traditions of the country. Because of its largely unspoiled natural environment and cultural heritage, Bhutan has been referred to as The Last Shangri-La.

While Bhutanese citizens are free to travel abroad, Bhutan is viewed as inaccessible by many foreigners. Another reason for it being an unpopular destination is the cost, which is high for tourists on tighter budgets. Entry is free for citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, but all other foreigners are required to sign up with a Bhutanese tour operator and pay around US$250 per day that they stay in the country, though this fee covers most travel, lodging and meal expenses. Bhutan received 37,482 visitor arrivals in 2011, of which 25% were for meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions.

Bhutan was the first nation in the world to ban tobacco. It was illegal to smoke in public or sell tobacco, according to Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan 2010. Violators are fined the equivalent of $232—a month's salary in Bhutan. In 2021, this was reversed with the new Tobacco Control Act 2021 to allow for the import and sale of tobacco products to stamp out cross-border smuggling of tobacco products during the pandemic.

The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera. Women wear an ankle-length dress, the kira, which is clipped at the shoulders with two identical brooches called the koma and tied at the waist with kera. An accompaniment to the kira is a long-sleeved blouse, the "wonju," which is worn underneath the kira. A long-sleeved, jacket-like garment called the "toego" is worn over the kira. The sleeves of the wonju and the tego are folded together at the cuffs, inside out. Social status and class determine the textures, colours, and decorations that embellish the garments.

Jewellery is commonly worn by women, especially during religious festivals ("tsechus") and public gatherings. To strengthen Bhutan's identity as an independent country, Bhutanese law requires all Bhutanese government employees to wear the national dress at work and all citizens to wear the national dress while visiting schools and other government offices, though many citizens, particularly adults, choose to wear the customary dress as formal attire.

Varicolored scarves, known as rachu for women and kabney for men, are important indicators of social standing, as Bhutan has traditionally been a feudal society; in particular, red is the most common colour worn by women. The "Bura Maap" (Red Scarf) is one of highest honours a Bhutanese civilian can receive. It, as well as the title of Dasho, comes from the throne in recognition of an individual's outstanding service to the nation. On previous occasions, the King himself conferred Bura Maaps to outstanding individuals such as the Director General of Department Hydropower and Power System, Yeshi Wangdi, the Deputy Chairperson of National Council, Dasho Dr. Sonam Kinga, and former National Assembly Speaker, Dasho Ugyen Dorji.



Bhutanese architecture remains distinctively traditional, employing rammed earth and wattle and daub construction methods, stone masonry, and intricate woodwork around windows and roofs. Traditional architecture uses no nails or iron bars in construction. Characteristic of the region is a type of castle fortress known as the dzong. Since ancient times, the dzongs have served as the religious and secular administrative centers for their respective districts. The University of Texas at El Paso in the United States has adopted Bhutanese architecture for its buildings on campus, as have the nearby Hilton Garden Inn and other buildings in the city of El Paso.

Bhutan has numerous public holidays, most of which coincide with traditional, seasonal, secular or religious festivals. They include the winter solstice (around 1 January, depending on the lunar calendar), Lunar New Year (February or March), the King's birthday and the anniversary of his coronation, the official end of monsoon season (22 September), National Day (17 December), and various Buddhist and Hindu celebrations.





Dance dramas and masked dances such as the Cham dance are common traditional features at festivals, usually accompanied by traditional music. At these events, dancers depict heroes, demons, dæmons, death heads, animals, gods, and caricatures of common people by wearing colourful wooden or composition face masks and stylised costumes. The dancers enjoy royal patronage, and preserve ancient folk and religious customs and perpetuate the ancient lore and art of mask-making.

The music of Bhutan can generally be divided into traditional and modern varieties; traditional music comprises religious and folk genres, the latter including zhungdra and boedra. The modern rigsar is played on a mix of traditional instruments and electronic keyboards, and dates back to the early 1990s; it shows the influence of Indian popular music, a hybrid form of traditional and Western popular influences.

In Bhutanese families, inheritance generally passes matrilineally through the female rather than the male line. Daughters will inherit their parents' house. A man is expected to make his own way in the world and often moves to his wife's home. Love marriages are more common in urban areas, but the tradition of arranged marriages among acquainted families is still prevalent in most of the rural areas. Although uncommon, polygamy is accepted, often being a device to keep property in a contained family unit rather than dispersing it. The previous king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who abdicated in 2006, had four queens, all of whom are sisters. The current king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, wed Jetsun Pema, then 21, a commoner and daughter of a pilot, on 13 October 2011.



Rice (red rice), buckwheat, and increasingly maize, are the staples of Bhutanese cuisine. The local diet also includes pork, beef, yak meat, chicken, and lamb. Soups and stews of meat and dried vegetables spiced with chilies and cheese are prepared. Ema datshi, made very spicy with cheese and chilies, might be called the national dish for its ubiquity and the pride that Bhutanese have for it. Dairy foods, particularly butter and cheese from yaks and cows, are also popular, and indeed almost all milk is turned into butter and cheese. Popular beverages include butter tea, black tea, locally brewed ara (rice wine), and beer.

Bhutan's national and most popular sport is archery. Competitions are held regularly in most villages. It differs from Olympic standards in technical details such as the placement of the targets and atmosphere. Two targets are placed over 100 m apart, and teams shoot from one end of the field to the other. Each member of the team shoots two arrows per round. Traditional Bhutanese archery is a social event, and competitions are organised between villages, towns, and amateur teams. There is usually plenty of food and drink complete with singing and dancing. Attempts to distract an opponent include standing around the target and making fun of the shooter's ability. Darts (khuru) is an equally popular outdoor team sport, in which heavy wooden darts pointed with a 10 cm nail are thrown at a paperback-sized target 10 to 20 m away.

Another traditional sport is the Digor, which resembles the shot put and horseshoe throwing.

Another popular sport is basketball. In 2002, Bhutan's national football team played Montserrat, in what was billed as The Other Final; the match took place on the same day Brazil played Germany in the World Cup final, but at the time Bhutan and Montserrat were the world's two lowest ranked teams. The match was held in Thimphu's Changlimithang National Stadium, and Bhutan won 4–0. A documentary of the match was made by the Dutch filmmaker Johan Kramer. In 2015, Bhutan won its first two FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches, beating Sri Lanka 1–0 in Sri Lanka and 2–1 in Bhutan. Cricket has also gained popularity in Bhutan, particularly since the introduction of television channels from India. The Bhutan national cricket team is one of the most successful affiliate nations in the region.

Women have begun to participate more in the work force and their participation is one of the highest in the region. However, the unemployment rates among women are still higher than those of men and women are in more unsecure work fields, such as agriculture. Most of the work that women do outside of the home is in family-based agriculture which is insecure and is one of the reasons why women are falling behind men when it comes to income. Women also, in general, work lower-quality jobs than men and only earn 75% of men's earnings.

Rooted deep in Bhutan culture is the idea of selflessness and the women of Bhutan take on this role in the context of the household. Nearly 1/4 of all women have reported experiencing some form of violence from their husband or partner. Some Bhutanese communities have what is referred to as matrilineal communities, where the eldest daughter receives the largest share of the land. This is due to the belief that she will stay and take care of her parents while the son will move out and work to get his own land and for his own family. Importantly, land ownership does not necessarily equate to economic benefits – despite the eldest daughter having control of the house, it is the husband that is in charge of making decisions. However, the younger generation has stepped away from this belief, in splitting the land evenly between the children instead of the eldest daughter inheriting the most land.

Throughout Bhutan, there has been an improvement in reproductive health services that has led to a drastic drop in maternal mortality rate, dropping from 1,000 in 1990 to 180 in 2010. There has also been an increase in contraceptive use from less than 1/3 in 2003 to 2/3 in 2010.

Religion

It is estimated that between two-thirds and three-quarters of the Bhutanese population follow Vajrayana Buddhism, which is also the state religion. About one-quarter to one-third are followers of Hinduism. Sikhism account for less than 12% of the population. The current legal framework in principle guarantees freedom of religion; proselytism, however, is forbidden by a royal government decision and by judicial interpretation of the Constitution.

Buddhism was introduced to Bhutan in the 7th century AD. Tibetan king Songtsän Gampo (reigned 627–649), a convert to Buddhism, ordered the construction of two Buddhist temples, at Bumthang in central Bhutan and at Kyichu Lhakhang (near Paro) in the Paro Valley.

Demographics

Bhutan had a population of people in. Bhutan has a median age of 24.8 years. There are 1,070 males to every 1,000 females. The literacy rate in Bhutan is 59.5 percent.

Bhutanese people primarily consist of the Ngalops and Sharchops, called the Western Bhutanese and Eastern Bhutanese respectively. Although the Sharchops are slightly larger in demographic size, the Ngalops dominate the political sphere, as the King and the political elite belong to this group. The Ngalops primarily consist of Bhutanese living in the western part of the country. Their culture is closely related to that of Tibet. Much the same could be said of the Sharchops, the largest group, who traditionally follow the Nyingmapa rather than the official Drukpa Kagyu form of Tibetan Buddhism. In modern times, with improved transportation infrastructure, there has been much intermarriage between these groups.

The Lhotshampa, meaning "southerner Bhutanese", are a heterogeneous group of mostly Nepalese ancestry who have sought political and cultural recognition including equality in right to abode, language, and dress. Unofficial estimates claimed that they constituted 45% of the population in the 1988 census. Starting in the 1980s, Bhutan adopted a policy of "One Nation One People" to exert cultural (in language, dress and religion) and political dominance of the majority Drukpa people. The policy manifested in banning of teaching of Nepali language in schools and denial of citizenship to those who were not able to prove officially issued land holding title prior to 1950 specifically targeting ethnic Nepali-speaking minority groups ("Lhotshampa"), representing one-third of the population at the time. This resulted in widespread unrest and political demonstrations. In 1988, the Bhutanese authorities carried out a special census in southern Bhutan, region of high Lhotshampa population, resulting in mass denationalisation of Lhotshampas, followed by forcible deportation of 107,000 Lhotshampas, approximately one-sixth of the total population at the time. Those who had been granted citizenship by the 1958 Nationality Law were stripped of their citizenship. Members of Bhutanese police and army were involved in burning of Lhotshampa houses, land confiscation and other widespread human rights abuses including arrest, torture and rape of Lhotshampas involved in political protests. Following forcible deportation from Bhutan, Lhotshampas spent almost two decades in refugee camps in Nepal and were resettled in various western countries such as the United States between 2007 and 2012.


* Thimphu, the largest city and capital of Bhutan.
* Damphu, the administrative headquarters of Tsirang District.
* Jakar, the administrative headquarters of Bumthang District and the place where Buddhism entered Bhutan.
* Mongar, the eastern commercial hub of the country.
* Paro, site of the international airport.
* Phuentsholing, Bhutan's commercial hub.
* Punakha, the old capital.
* Samdrup Jongkhar, the southeastern town on the border with India.
* Trashigang, administrative headquarters of Trashigang District, the most populous district in the country.
* Trongsa, in central Bhutan, which has the largest and the most magnificent of all the dzongs in Bhutan.

It is estimated that between two-thirds and three-quarters of the Bhutanese population follow Vajrayana Buddhism, which is also the state religion. About one-quarter to one-third are followers of Hinduism. Sikhism account for less than 12% of the population. The current legal framework in principle guarantees freedom of religion; proselytism, however, is forbidden by a royal government decision and by judicial interpretation of the Constitution.

Buddhism was introduced to Bhutan in the 7th century AD. Tibetan king Songtsän Gampo (reigned 627–649), a convert to Buddhism, ordered the construction of two Buddhist temples, at Bumthang in central Bhutan and at Kyichu Lhakhang (near Paro) in the Paro Valley.

The national language is Dzongkha (Bhutanese), one of 53 languages in the Tibetan language family. The script, locally called Chhokey (literally, "Dharma language"), is identical to classical Tibetan. In Bhutan's education system, English is the medium of instruction, while Dzongkha is taught as the national language. Ethnologue lists 24 languages currently spoken in Bhutan, all of them in the Tibeto-Burman family, except Nepali, an Indo-Aryan language.

Until the 1980s, the government sponsored the teaching of Nepali in schools in southern Bhutan. With the adoption of the Driglam Namzhag (Bhutanese code of etiquette) and its expansion into the idea of strengthening the role of Dzongkha, Nepali was dropped from the curriculum. The languages of Bhutan are still not well characterized, and several have yet to be recorded in an in-depth academic grammar. Before the 1980s, the Lhotshampa (Nepali-speaking community), mainly based in southern Bhutan, constituted approximately 30% of the population. However, after a purge of Lhotshampas from 1990 to 1992 this number might not accurately reflect the current population.

Dzongkha is partially intelligible with Sikkimese and spoken natively by 25% of the population. Tshangla, the language of the Sharchop and the principal pre-Tibetan language of Bhutan, is spoken by a greater number of people. It is not easily classified and may constitute an independent branch of Tibeto-Burman. Nepali speakers constituted some 40% of the population. The larger minority languages are Dzala (11%), Limbu (10%), Kheng (8%), and Rai (8%). There are no reliable sources for the ethnic or linguistic composition of Bhutan, so these numbers do not add up to 100%.

Bhutan has a life expectancy of 70.2 years (69.9 for males and 70.5 for females) according to the latest data for 2016 from the World Bank.

Basic healthcare in Bhutan is free, as provided by the Constitution of Bhutan.

Historically, education in Bhutan was monastic, with secular school education for the general population introduced in the 1960s. The mountainous landscape poses barriers to integrated educational services.

Today, Bhutan has two decentralised universities with eleven constituent colleges spread across the kingdom. These are the Royal University of Bhutan and Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences, respectively. The first five-year plan provided for a central education authority—in the form of a director of education appointed in 1961—and an organised, modern school system with free and universal primary education.

Education programmes were given a boost in 1990, when the Asian Development Bank (see Glossary) granted a US$7.13 million loan for staff training and development, specialist services, equipment and furniture purchases, salaries and other recurrent costs, and facility rehabilitation and construction at Royal Bhutan Polytechnic.

Since the beginning of modern education in Bhutan, teachers from India—especially Kerala—have served in some of the most remote villages of Bhutan. Thus, 43 retired teachers who had served for the longest length of time were personally invited to Thimphu, Bhutan during the Teachers' Day celebrations in 2018, where they were honoured and individually thanked by His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. To celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and India, Bhutan's Education Minister, Jai Bir Rai, honoured 80 retired teachers who served in Bhutan at a special ceremony organised at Kolkata, India, on 6 January 2019. Currently, there are 121 teachers from India placed in schools across Bhutan.

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