Bhutan
Nestled among the picturesque forested foothills of the eastern
Himalayas, the tiny medieval Kingdom of Bhutan is sandwiched
between Tibet and India. An enigmatic, welcoming and thoroughly
charming country, Bhutan embraces Buddhism and the unique principle
of Gross National Happiness. It's easy to imagine that happiness
isn't a problem for the hospitable and courteous Bhutanese people;
they are surrounded by a landscape unspoilt by pollution and
daunting in its beauty.
Despite its compact size, Bhutan offers the modern-day visitor a
wealth of remarkable attractions and experiences. More than forty
percent of the Kingdom's lands comprise protected National Parks
and wildlife reserves which provide habitats for a diversity of
exotic birds and animals. Bhutan's towns and villages, meanwhile,
are steeped in tradition and exquisite Buddhist architecture. But
Bhutan is not entirely rooted in the past, as the intriguing blend
of ancient and modern culture presented by its unmissable capital
city, Thimphu, amply demonstrates.