It’s easy to see why Bhutan is known as the “Last Shangri-La.” Its culture—deeply influenced by a unique form of Buddhism and rich with traditions of spirituality, art, music, dance and food—has not only been preserved but treasured by its citizens. This is, in fact, a foundational tenet of Bhutan. Until only a couple of decades ago, the country chose to isolate itself from the rest of the world and refused the influences of other societies and customs. Televisions, smartphones and the Internet exist in Bhutan, but their ubiquity and impact on the local culture is much less than that seen with its neighbors. Further differentiating itself from other nations, Bhutan measures its economic and national success with arather unique self-created methodology: Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Bhutan cares deeply about preserving its culture, traditions and environment.
Located deep in the Himalayas, its natural beauty is abundant and timeless. Its
charm and appeal also lie in its refusal to let tourism run wild. There’s no
overdevelopment, no mass land sales and no exploitation of its people solely to
make Bhutan a popular destination with travelers. Bhutan has strict controls
regarding who can enter the country, how long they stay and where they go. For
these reasons, it’s not a budget travel destination, and it takes some planning
to visit here, but as anyone who takes on the challenge can attest, once you
arrive, you immediately realize, appreciate and celebrate just how truly
special it is.