Bhutan is a South Asian country that is unique in several ways. Bhutan is also called as ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha. It is a landlocked country that is about 38,394 square kilometers in area. Bhutan is a country that is ruled by a monarch. Bhutan seems to be a unique country in many ways like culture, environment, and ruling practice.
Is Bhutan The Happiest Country in The World?
In Bhutan GDP is not used to measure the country’s performance. Instead, Gross National Happiness (GNH) is used to measure the overall happiness and well-being of the citizens of Bhutan. This country put the happiness of the people before the economy of the country. This is because they believe that leading a happy life is really important above all. Bhutan is consistently ranked as the happiest country in Asia and somewhere in the top 10 in the happiest country in the world. As the Bhutanese monarchy norms, the four main objectives are sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, environmental conservation, preservation and promotion of culture, and good governance. It was also reported that most people in Bhutan are kind, calm, and respectful. This is because people in Bhutan simply embrace life as it comes.
People in Bhutan Do Not Know Their Birthday
It is quite weird to know that people in Bhutan do not know their birthday. Most people, notably the older generation do not know their date of birth. The Bhutanese authentically believe that leading a cheerful life is more than anything else. It is believed that every citizen in Bhutan turns one year elder on the new year. So, their concept is to celebrate their birthdays on new year’s day. Even the younger generation do this kind of calculating their date of birth. However, the younger generation does keep a track of their birthday. This proves that Bhutan is unique from other countries around the globe.
Bhutan’s Mesmerizing Nature
Statistical data reveals that 72% of Bhutan’s land area is covered with forest. While the rest of the land area also includes massive greenery. The country is more conscious about protecting the greening. It was also claimed that the air in Bhutan is very pure because of its immense natural surroundings. Bhutan is to a great extent concentrating on conserving nature and thereby they have banned plastic early in 1999 itself. The country also has a world record for planting 50,000 in just one hour in the year 2015. The country offers a majestic view of nature everywhere. Bhutan also offers a breathtaking view of the Himalayas.
How Is Tourism in Bhutan Unique?
Bhutan is an expensive country for tourists. In Bhutan, tourists have to pay a tax fee of 250 USD per day per person. This practice of collecting a huge tax tourist may contract the tourist visit to their country. This hefty fee is collected from the tourist because they believe the lesser the tourist, the more the clean environment. A local guide will be leading the places in Bhutan and one can go and visit the country on their own. Until 1974 the tourism in Bhutan was completely closed.
What Is the Spiritual Hike of Bhutan?
The term ‘Spiritual Hike’ might sound different. Yes, a spiritual hike exists in Bhutan. It is called the Tiger’s Nest. The famous Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan is the place where many Buddhist temples are found. The place can be reached after a 12 kilometers hike in the mountains. Hence, it is called the Spiritual Hike. Buddism was introduced by Guru Padmasambhava in Bhutan. It was believed that he came flying on a tiger and landed in Bhutan. Therefore, the place was later named Tiger’s Nest. In Bhutan Tiger’s Nest is holy and sacred for the residents.
No Television and Internet
There were no televisions and internet in Bhutan until 1999. Bhutan was the last country in the world to introduce television and the internet. This is because they don’t want to adapt to the fast-changing world and globalization. It took a lot of time for modernizing the country.
Other Rare Features in Bhutan
- Selling tobacco and manufacturing tobacco is illegal in Bhutan. So Bhutan is official a tobacco-free nation. Tobacco was banned in 2010 after the Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan.
- Nobody in Bhutan is homeless. If a person or a family is homeless then, the king will offer a piece of land to live in.
- Women in Bhutan are honored and respected the most. This means all properties in the family will be given to their daughters and men are expected to earn on their own.
- There were no televisions and internet in Bhutan until 1999.
- It is the world’s only carbon-negative country. That is, there is less carbon emission than absorption.
- A person can be punished for a lifetime in prison for killing an endangered animal.
- The Bhutanese follow the national dress code. They must wear only the traditional Bhutan dress in public. This shows their spirit to maintain their culture and tradition.
- There are no traffic lights in Bhutan. The traffic police officers control the traffic manually. Bhutan is the only country in the world without traffic lights.
Bhutan in simple words is a heavenly place to live in peace, calm, and happiness. It is known as the happiest country indeed.
