The Last Shangri-La or the Land of the Thunder Dragon, as Bhutan is known, is perhaps the last bastion of the Mahayana Buddhism in the Himalayas. Situated in the great Himalayan range, it is bordered by the Tibetan regions of China in the north and the sweltering plains of India in the south. The Kingdom is spread over 47,000 square feet with varied climatic conditions ranging from the sub-tropical to the cold reaches of the almost 25,000 ft snow-capped mountain ranges of the Tibetan border
With a population of around 0.6 million, it is thinly populated and a paradise in its real sense. Bhutan follows Mahayana Buddhism. Known for its UN-spoilt ancient cultures and traditions, for Bhutan the past is still the present and its religion still a way of life. The Kingdom opened its doors to tourism only in 1974 by the present King, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, under a careful regulated programme.
Bhutan is one of the last areas still pristine in all its nature-where nature and people live in harmony. Untainted flora, un-hunted fauna, rare botanical plants, the colorful bird-life and the scenic beauty offers a treat for both young and old. Colorful festivals with mask dances depicting its rich cultural past and the great Himalayan ranges in the background definitely deserves a visit. Nepal, Tibet and Sikkim are destinations all concentrated in the same belt of the Himalayas. Each country is steeped in culture with their histories dating back as far as 2,500 B.C. Great for the adventurous and a treat for sore eyes.

Located in the Heart of the Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan is a land - locked country surrounded by mountains in the north and west. The rugged east, visited by few Western travelers, borders the spare and largely unknown Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The high Himalaya in the northern steppes separates the kingdom from Tibet.

The population of 600,000 is made up primarily of indigenous Bhutanese. Many naturalized citizens came originally from Tibet and India. In the higher reaches in the Kingdom an in some isolated valleys, hill tribes assuming Bhutanese nationality thrive on the land. Some, like those from Merek and Sakteng in the east and Laya on the north, have no contact with Western civilization and trade only in bartered goods.

PLACES TO VISIT:

Paro

All visitors are required to enter the Kingdom at Paro by the national airline, Druk-Air. It may be more convenient for some visitors to leave the kingdom via the southern outlets of Samdrup Jongkhar in the east or Phuentsholing in the west. Twenty-five years ago all visitors would have had to walk five days across the mountains to reach Paro from the Indian border, now the Journey by air is only 45 minutes from Calcutta, Kathmandu or Dhaka.

The mythical dream like kingdom comes into view as Druk- Air's BAE-146 aircraft swings in giant arcs and descends onto Bhutan's only airstrip at Paro. Once on the Ground, the dexterity of the international flight crew can be fully appreciated as a glance in any direction provides an awe-inspiring view at very close range of the Himalayan Mountains.

An officials at Bhutan's now defunct government tourism authority described the Paro valley in poetic terms: if ever a place exist where a nature and man consulted to create their dearest image, it must be the valley of Paro. To the north, mount Jhomolhari (mountain of the Goddess Jhomo) reign in sacred glory. The glacier waterways from its five sister peaks plunge through deep gorges, finally converging to form the Paro River that nourishes the rice fields land the apple and peach orchards of its own valley.'

Paro valley is one of the most populated areas of the whole country. Because of its proximity to the airport, there are hotels and tourist facilities close to the airstrips the hotel Olathang is located on the southern face of the valley in the heart of the pine forest. The Druk hotel and the Paro hotel have opened closer to Paro Town.

The valley of the Paro contains a wealth of attractions and requires a few days to be properly explored. Casting a shadow across the town of the Paro and controlling all the secular and religious activities in its valley is the elegant and perfectly symmetrical Rinpung Dzong. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzongs houses the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (Judge) of Paro District.

Behind Rinpung Dzongs, on the high hillside, is the Castile -shaped Ta Dzong. One time watch tower built it defend Rinpung Dzongs during the inter valley wars of the 17th century; Ta dzong has housed the nation's heritage in Bhutan's national Museum since1976. The museum's circular shape augments its varied collection displayed over the several floors.

Form a Buddhist point of view; Paro was the first stop for Guru Rimpoche on his crusade from Tibet to Bhutan over one thousand years ago. Guru Rimpoche is said to have arrived on the back of the tigress and meditated at a monastery is now a hallowed shrine for Bhutanese pilgrims who travel from all over the land to pray at its temple. Tourist is us usually not allowed into the temple itself but they can should climb the mountains that leads top spectacular look out onto Tiger's Nest. The trail from the road takes a good walker about half that time to descend. A café at the lookout provides well-earned tea and snacks. For those unable o walk up the mountain (and it's a tough walk even when acclimatized), local tour operators can arrange ponies who ably trot up the ,mountain in a couple of hours.

Eighteen kilometers from Paro town on the south side of the valley are the burnt ruins of Drugyel Dzongs (victorious fortress). It was from this monastery that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.

A sprinkling of shops decorates the high street that marks Paro Town. This is a good place to buy a packet of biscuit and some drinks before a journey.

Thimpu

Thimpu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, 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, Thimpu is home to the revered Bhutanese Royal family and to several Foreign mission and development projects.

On the bank 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 Hall is housed in a modern building on the other side of the river From the Dzong. During the warmer summer months the monk body headed by his holiness, the JeKhenpo, makes its home in the Dzong. Visitors are strictly prohibited from entering the government building at all times during an active session.

Next to the Dzong is Bhutan's only golf course. A nine-hole circuit that is far more picturesque than it is testing.

The Thangka painting school in the heart of Thimpu is well worth visiting. With sun streaming through the windowpanes casting long shadows across the wooden slates, student monks in burgundy robes sit in the classroom for hours at time learning from saffron -robed elder.

Bhutan's National Library is located to the close to the painting school and is also worth a look in. Housed in the library are the some of the oldest records of Bhutanese history and religion.

A wonderful Day's outing from Thimpu is a visit to Cheri and Tango Monasteries to the north of the Town. They cab be reached by road but many Thimpu residents go up to the Monasteries for a day trip by foot.

Thimpu charm is not an embedded in its wealth of galleries, museums or places of historic interest. Visitors must wander along the main street and into shops, all of which are decorated in traditional style. Thimphu's shopkeepers are delightfully helpful and will do their best to oblige even the smallest request. Bhutan's famaous stamp collection can be viewed and purchased in the capital's main post office.

Every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu's scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. The field adjacent to the market are reserved on weekends for basket ball and archery players. The later, if dressed with full costumes are a lovely sight.

Five miles from Thimphu stands the 17th century Simtokha Dzong on a lofty ridge. Built in 1627, the oldest Dzong in the land houses the school from Buddhist studies. The road to Dorchula Pass and on to Easter Bhutan. Winds its way upwards from Simtokha Dzong.

Punakha

The road winds a from Simtokha Dzong into pine forest and through small villages for 20 kms and then opens miraculously on to the Northern Ridges of the mountains. The view over the Himalayan panoply at Dorchula Pass at 10,500 ft is one the most spectacular in all Bhutan.

Punakha lies about 2 hours drive from Dorchula down low in its valley. Commanding a sparse population, Punakha Dzong is home to the central monk body and the Je Khenpo during the milder winter months.

A temperate climate and natural drainage from the Phochu (male) and Mochu (female) rivers, the fertile Punakha Valley produces abandoned crops and fruits. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 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 the administrative center. In spite of four catastrophic fires and a devastating earthquake that destroyed many historic documents, Punakha Dzong houses sacred temples including the Mercheng where the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal lies in the state.

The Dzong has been fully restored by the present king. In 1993 the largest Thongdrel, a religious embroidery compose entirely of appliqué on silk brocade. That has ever been created was dedicated to the Dzong and the people of the Punakha valley by his majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the Je khenpo at a three day consecration which brought to the Bhutan's nobility.

Festivals
Many visitors come to Bhutan to witness religious festivals held annually in Dzongs throughout the country. The most popular for tourists are those held in Thimphu, Paro and Bumthang. They mark the busiest time of the year for tourism and reservations (particularly for hotels) are frequently difficult to come by.

The Dzong come to life with color, music and dancing as valley dwellers and town folk dress in their best clothes and join together to exorcise all spirits and rejoice in a new harvest. Rare masked and sword dances and other rituals are performed in the Dzong's courtyard and temples. Tourists are allowed into the Dzongs to watch the spectacle but they are not allowed inside temples.

Photography should always be discreet. It is generally allowed to take photographs at tsechus but not at dromchos.

Most of the dances date back to beyond the Middle Ages and are only performed once or twice each year. Each dance has its own spiritual importance and can be performed by monks or lay village leaders dressed in bright costume. Certain festivals ends with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliqués or thongdrels. The moment of the unveiling is shrouded in secrecy and creates great extiment amongst all the participants.

Thimphu and Paro festivals are the most popular for tourists as they are the most accessible. Visitors who come to Bhutan at other times of the year should find out if other regional dromchos or tsechus are taking place as they can be equally fascinating. The tsechus at Bumthang is well known for taking place almost entirely during the evening and containing exiting fire dances which are intended to help the childless women at the festival conceive during the forthcoming year.

Climate

Bhutan has four distinct seasons. Each has its advantage and disadvantages for the visitor. Notice should be taken of the predictaqble weather paterns before making decisions when to visit. Remember even predictable weathewr can vary dramatically plains close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than higher central valley.

Spring is arguably the most beautiful time of the year in the Kingdom. The fierce cold that characterized the winter months tend to subside towards the end of the February (around Bhutanese New Year, Lhosar). Rhododendron begins to bloom, first in the warmer east. At the height of spring, the end of the march, the whole kingdom comes to life with the spectacular flaming red, pink, and white of the rhododendron blossom.

The annual monsoon from the Bay of Bengal affects the south and central regions. Thenorth is ihabited in the summer months when nomads return to the higher plains to tend to their yak herds.

The end of the monsoon, also a popular time to visit, marks the closing months of summer. The days are filled with glorious cobalt skies and warm weather.

The autumn months of the September to November bring shorter days and cooler evenings. The days remain lovely with crisp clear skies. Views over the high Himalayas are usually only possible from September to March.

Come the end of November and the weather takes on its winter coat. The days remain crisp and the nights turn cold. The southern areas, being much lower, have a more temperate climate and considerably warmer winters.

Clears skies in the winter months bring with cold weather but it's also the best time of the yea to view the snowcapped peaks of the high Himalayan Mountains.