Bhutan: An Incredible Country

Beautiful Bhutan is a small land-locked country situated in the Eastern Himalayas. The capital Thimphu is the largest town, and small villages are spread throughout the country amongst spectacular scenery. Michael Kern has visited Bhutan twice, spending a few months travelling across the country and immersing in the rich spiritual and cultural traditions. It has been a source of deep inspiration on both personal and professional levels. He has also spent time in Tibet, Nepal, Ladakh and Northern India 

Bhutan has an ancient heritage that’s steeped in Buddhist practice. Its history is partly shaped by the fact that the country has never been colonised. Bhutan has pioneered the concept of Gross National Happiness as a national measure, which you can read more about in the attached PDF.  

The Gross National Happiness Philosophy

A Deep and Thriving Culture 

The traditional culture is everywhere to be found in Bhutan, helped to thrive by the country’s long history of independence. Himalayan Buddhism is woven into the fabric of society, and the national dress is a cultural institution; many people choose it as their everyday clothing, while it’s compulsory for officials or anyone visiting an official building.  

The architecture of the country is also unique, largely relying on ancient techniques and foregoing the use of nails or metal framing in buildings. Bhutanese traditional music and dance is also widespread, although modern music from India is now becoming more popular.  

Leading the Way In Conservation 

Bhutan is considered a world-leader in conservation, and its active efforts for the care of its vastly diverse ecosystems are a major part of the country’s life. From the high mountainous regions in the north to the sub-tropical regions in the south, Bhutan is host to a huge diversity of plant and animal life, including many endangered or uncommon species.  

In response to this, large parts of Bhutan are given over to conservation areas, and many countries look to Bhutan for inspiration in this crucial matter. You can learn more about conservation in Bhutan via the embedded infographic. 

Conservation & Environmental Issues in Bhutan

An Ancient Spiritual Heritage 

Throughout this magnificent country, the presence of a deep Buddhist heritage has given rise to incredible monasteries and shrines. From the dizzying heights of the 3,120-metre-high clifftop monastery of Paro Taktsang, to the majestic Punakha Dzong, winter home of the ‘Je-Khenpo’ (the head lama of Bhutan), the monasteries present stunning traditional architecture and inspiration. 

The Bhutanese Head of State is known as the ‘Dragon King.’ Take a look at the short video attachment to find out more about the head of this amazing country.