What You Should Do on Your Holidays in Bhutan

Every visitor to Bhutan will be blown away by its untainted air and the royal scenery, its buildings, its wildlife and history. Bhutan is a Himalayan speck in between the colossal countries of China and India.

Bhutan is known for its high peaks and tourists often trek to those regions. Situated along the Himalayan Mountain ridges, Bhutan is ideal for trekking narrow strips of land in the south to the steep and difficult unclimbed peaks. The beauty here is seemingly virgin and undisturbed as the kingdom diligently protects the area from the rest of the world. It is for this reason that Bhutan kingdom imposes a compulsory US$200 a day tour levy for every tourist in a bid to preserve the cultural and environmental purity of the kingdom and also to make tourism a viable source of revenue.

Bhutan's picturesque scenery is remarkable and recognizable for its tall mountain peaks and small towns delicately situated on ridges. The apparent danger here is a tantalizing lure for adventurers who are seeking their adrenalin fix. The trekking and mountain climbing are quite challenging as there are no places to find food in the higher regions and so all food, supplies and camping equipment must be carried along. But the stunning scenery of lazy clouds floating by and enormous green mountains make all the discomforts encountered worth it.
Buddhism being the local religion, locals have always attached a great deal of importance to the environment as can be attested to by the vast variety of undisturbed plant and animal life in the kingdom. Bhutan is a land rife with many intriguing myths, legends and fabulous tales, exceedingly hospitable people, fresh air free of industrial pollution and religion seen as exciting and liberating.

The sacred place of religion here can not be overemphasized as it is demonstrated by the grand Buddhist temples sprinkled around the kingdom. Examples include the Kurjey Lhakhang temple built around a cave with an engraved print of Guru Rinpoche in the wall. It is the most dated Buddhist relic in the country. Another is the Takstashang Monastery otherwise known as the Tiger's Nest or the cliff-hanging Takstshang Monastery located in Paro. This is a very popular Buddhist temple and the most sacred; it was built on a 1,200 meter cliff.

The artwork evident in most Bhutan buildings is really intricate and pleasing to the eyes. For example, the ancient fortresses, also called dzongs, now serve as the civil and monastical administration headquarters of each district. These dzongs house many historical treasures and artifacts of the ancient kingdom of Bhutan.

Another popular event in Bhutan is the Thimphu Tshechu festival which occurs during the late summer and autumn. This ceremony exhibit the complex choreography of dances by skilled masked monks which were developed in great detail by past Buddhist masters.

Another interesting event in Bhutan is archery. It being the national sport, weekly competitions are held throughout the kingdom. Tourists may come and participate actively in cheering the skill of the archers. Without a doubt, Bhutan is still one of the top places to visit.