GENERAL INFO ON BHUTAN
“Bhutan” – the
Land of the Thunder Dragon is one of the most exotic destinations in the world
today. This kingdom, often referred to as the last “Shangri-la”, is a land of
outstanding people, remarkable scenery and natural wonders, and a proud and
vibrant culture. A unique and rare place that few have had the privilege of
visiting.
Wedged between
the world’s giants, India and the Tibetan region of China, Bhutan is today
slowly opening up to the world through a sensitive approach to tourism.
You can now
discover the cultural and natural wonders of this last remaining “Mahayana
Buddhist Kingdom” of the Himalaya. Here is a kingdom that is just throwing off
the veil of mystery, and opening its doors to visitors.
Bhutan has a
pristine environment , almost no pollution, and a living culture where
festivals and cultural events are a part of daily life and not creations for
tourism. Though the country is known as “Bhutan” to the outside world, to
Bhutanese it has been known as “Druk Yul”
meaning “Land of the Thunder
Dragon”. The people call themselves “Drukpas”.
Area : 46,500 Square kilometre
Population : 650,000
( Six hundred Fifty Thousands )
Economy : 75% of
population living on cultivation and livestock rearing.
GEOGRAPHY : Bhutan is located between the Tibetan autonomous region of China in the north
and India in the South. It is located between 88°45'and 92°10' longitude east
and between 26°40' and 28°15' latitude north.
The country can be divided into three major geographic zones: the southern
foothills and plains with hot and humid climate, the hills and valleys in the
center with moderate rainfall and the highland of the north with high mountains
covered with snow almost through out the year.
Bhutan is the
land of complex gorges and valleys, soaring snow-peaked mountains and steep
slopes, humid jungles and foothills, magnificent lakes and waterfalls, fast
flowing rivers and streams and the richest biodiversity of flora and fauna.
LANGUAGE : Dzongkha ( in the western region), Sharchop ( in the eastern region ), Nepali (
in the South ).
English has been used as the medium of instructions in schools and institutes.
The country’s national newspaper Kuensel is written in English, Dzongkha and
Nepali.
FOOD & DRINK : The staple food of Bhutanese is rice and vegetables with abundant chillies.
Bhutanese eat incredible amount of chillies. It is used as vegetable rather
than as spices. Most Bhutanese prefer ‘Emadatse’ a dish made entirely of
chillies mixed with cheese. Meat is widely eaten in Bhutan. Common meat
includes pork, beef, chicken, fish and yak meat. The Bhutanese also eat a
variety of vegetables, including potatoes, fern, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower,
beans and mushrooms.
In central
Bhutan, buckwheat is cultivated as one of the main cereals. The rice is not
grown due to high altitude. The Bumthang region is famous for its buckwheat
pancakes. The Bhutanese are fond of taking ‘suja’ (butter tea) and ‘ara’, an
alcohol distilled from the brewery of locally produced rice, wheat, maize or
corn.
Drinks are also
used as a part of offerings while performing ceremonies on different occasions.
A variety of meals are available in most hotels – the most popular being Indian,
Chinese, and the more common continental food.
Non vegetarian dishes are generally available in most parts of Bhutan -
pork, beef, chicken, and fish. The best advise is to ask the hotel and
restaurant to recommend what is fresh and in season.
WHEN TO TRAVEL BHUTAN :
You can visit Bhutan anytime of the year. Visitors tend to stay away during the
monsoon months of June, July and August when the weather is sometimes a little
too wet for sightseeing. The best time
for trekking is in spring and autumn. Hence, the months of March, April, May,
September, October & November.
WEATHER & CLOTHING :
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions, it is advisable to
bring appropriate clothing. In the
months of October, November, December, January and February, mornings and
evenings will be cold. You will have to
bring in warm clothes (thick overcoats not necessary). While the months of
February, March, April, May, June, July, August and September the days are
warmer. June, July and August will be little wet and some rain gears would be
necessary.
ACCOMODATIONS : Bhutan offers generally modest but clean hotels. There are none of the chain
hotels in Bhutan although a couple of high end resorts have been opened in some
districts. Visitors are advised not to expect luxury or five star hotel
services. Bhutan’s local hospitality is, however, an insight into a society
where tourism may be a new venture, but where visitors are greeted with true
warmth and friendship.
Generally,
tourist facilities and services are good in western Bhutan, but the quality of
service and facilities decreases the further east we go. This is because
tourism is less developed in the more remote east.
CURRENCY : ”Nigultrum” is the currency of Bhutan. You can buy
“Nigultrum” at the Paro airport, Bhutan National Bank and the Bank of Bhutan.
You can also buy at all hotels but the exchange rate is slightly higher than
banks. You are advised to bring in
traveler's checks or cash dollars which are widely accepted. There are no
ATMs in Bhutan except for the locals. Credit cards are accepted in very few
hotels and shops. All credit card
transactions take extra time and are cumbersome to use. For convenience, it is
preferable to have travelers cheques and cash dollars.
TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN BHUTAN
PARO
THIMPU
BUMTHANG : [
Altitude 8,530 feet to 13,125 feet ]
: It is about two and half hours drive from Trongsa to
Bumthang. Located at an altitude of 8530
to 13125 feet above sea level, Bumthang is the general name given to a complex
of four valleys- Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural
valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on the animal husbandry.
Bumthang is
considered the holiest valley in Bhutan. Many Bhutanese from all over the
country visit here on pilgrim to pay their respect and to be blessed by the
many holy sites where various religious masters have meditated.
JAMBAY LHAKHANG : Tibetan king “Songtsen Gampo” miraculously
built 108 temples in 7th century in order to consecrate the Himalayan
region. Jambay Lhakhang is one of those
temples. This is the venue for Jambay Lhakhang Festival during October
/November.
KURJEY LHAKHANG : It takes
about 30 minutes of hike north to reach Kurjey Lhakhang. It was during 8th
century a king from Bumthang, known as “Sendhu Raja” had invited “Guru
Rimpoche” (Precious Master), who brought Buddhism into Bhutan, to cure him from
a dreadful disease. Guru meditated at Kurjey for three months, left his body
print on the rock and subdued the local deities including powerful “Shelging
Karpo”, who had stolen the king's life force and was the cause of King's
disease.
Kurjey is
complex of three temples, on the right beneath a giant cypress tree, the main
temple built in 1652AD by one a
“Minjur Tempa” – the Trongsa
Penlop. This temple houses the cave where Guru Rimpoche had meditated and left
his body imprint.
The middle
temple was built by the first king of Bhutan during his tenure as Trongsa
Penlop in 1900AD . The third temple is recently constructed under patronage of
Her Majesty queen mother Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuk.
THANGBI TEMPLE : Founded by
Shamar Rimpoche in 1470 AD , is located in the midst of buckwheat field. After a dispute the temple
was taken over by Pema Lingpa from
Shamar Rimpoche. It is 17 Kilometers
drive north of Kurjey Temple on an unpaved road to Toktu Zampa. You start your
walk from here by crossing a small suspension bridge and walk 20 minutes past
fields of buckwheat to the Thangbi Temple. This is the venue of Thangbi
Festival.
TAMSHING MONASTERY : This monastery is located opposite “Kurjey
Lhakhang” was founded by Bhutan's religious treasure discoverer – “Terton Pema
Lingpa” in 1501AD . Believed to be the reincarnation of Guru Rimpoche, he
discovered many religious treasures around the country. The mural paintings
inside the temple are known to be unrecorded ancient painting. The best way to
enjoy the serene and the beauty of valley is to hike fro about one hour from
Kurjey over Chamkhar River to arrive at Tamshing.
KONCHOGSUM TEMPLE : Ten
minutes walk south will bring you to Konchogsum temple. The temple was restored
in 1995 AD and looks new, but it actually dates back to 2nd century.
URA VILLAGE : It is about 50 kilometers from Choekhor
valley and takes about one and half hour of driving. Located in a broad valley,
Ura village is a clustered of traditional houses fenced by cobblestone streets
that give the village a mediaeval atmosphere.
The women in Ura
village cover their head with white cloth piece to protect from the harsh cold
wind and carries sheepskin (behind their back) used as cushion and as well as
to protect their cloth from the loads they carry. This is the venue for Ura
Yakchoe Festival.