On the roof of
the world, nestled on the lap of the Eastern Himalayas, is
Bhutan, or the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon. Here, centuries
old ways of life, culture and tradition blend harmoniously with
modern times to create a fairytale realm like no other.
Bhutan has never been colonial's and the Bhutanese are fiercely
protective about their independence. After centuries of self
imposed isolation, Bhutan has emerged strongly from the shrouds
of myth as a nation exemplified for choosing all the right
paths. Bhutan is perhaps the only nation in the world where
billboards and tobacco are banned. Their absence further
heightens the nations intact forest cover of more that 70
percent of its entire land and its prestigious standing among
the 10 global hotspots for environmental conservation. Bhutan is
also the recipient of the Champions of the Earth Awards 2005
from the United Nations Environment Program.
Bhutan's early history is steeped in Buddhist
tradition and mythology. Bhutan's medieval and modern history was a time of
warlords, feuds, giant fortresses and castles. The visit of Padama Sambhava
in 747 AD
Festivals is religious events. The ground where
they are held is purified and consecrated by lamas, so when you are watching
a festival you are, in essence, on the perimeter of an outdoor religious
ground.
Bhutanese are a mongolid race of people who
originally migrated into and settled the country in the 7th Century AD. A
nomadic and pastoral society at first, they gradually turned to agriculture
in the fertile valleys.
Tourist Destinations in Bhutan are plenty. You
can be assured of a pleasant Bhutan tour if you come here. At these tourist
destinations in Bhutan you will find the best accommodation options,
excellent customer service, and more over sightseeing, that will surely
enthrall you.
Physically, Bhutan can be divided into three
zones: Alpine Zone (4000m and above) with no forest cover; the Temperate
Zone (2000 to 4000m) with conifer or broadleaf forests; and the Subtropical
Zone (150m to 2000m) with Tropical or Subtropical vegetation.
No one seems to know exactly the meaning of the
word Bhutan but it is believed that it is derived from `Bhot’ which is the
name given by Tibetans to their own country and `Tan’ which is a corruption
of the word `stan’ meaning Land. The Bhutanese prefer to call `Druk-Yul’
