The world's only carbon-negative country and guardian of Gross National Happiness — Tiger's Nest monastery clinging to a 3,000m cliff, ancient dzong fortresses, and a daily tourist fee that limits crowds.
- Capital
- Thimphu
- Population
- 784,043
- Area
- 47,000 km²
- Languages
- Dzongkha
- Currency
- Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
- GDP
- $3,422M
Good to know
Driving side
Left
National dish
Ema datshi
Annual visitors
29,800 (2020)
Safety
Low (2.47/100k)
Avg temp
10.4°C
Religion
Buddhism
Coast
Landlocked
☎ Police 113 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 112
Travel guide
The Kingdom of Bhutan (Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་, Druk Yul) is a small country in the Himalayas between Tibet and India. Besides the stunning natural scenery, the enduring image of the country for most visitors is the strong sense of culture and tradition that binds the kingdom and clearly distinguishes it from its larger neighbours. Bhutan is a bastion of Vajrayana Buddhism, and the profound teachings of this tradition remain well preserved and exert a strong influence in all aspects of life.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Bhutan
Best time to visit
March–May for spring blooms and Paro Tsechu festival. September–November for clear mountain views and Thimphu Tshechu. December–February is cold but clear and uncrowded. June–August is monsoon season.
Visa
All visitors except Indian and Bangladeshi nationals must book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. A Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100/day per person (reduced from USD 200) applies. Visa issued through the tour operator.
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Major cities
Thimphu
Bhutan's capital and only city, home to the National Memorial Chorten, traditional markets, and the giant Buddha Dordenma statue.
Paro
Home to Bhutan's only international airport and the iconic Tiger's Nest monastery clinging to a 3,000m cliff face.
Punakha
Bhutan's former capital with the most beautiful dzong (fortress-monastery) in the country, at the confluence of two rivers.