{"id":233685,"date":"2019-10-14T14:01:01","date_gmt":"2019-10-14T13:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/turkeyalwan.net\/?p=233685"},"modified":"2022-06-16T14:26:54","modified_gmt":"2022-06-16T13:26:54","slug":"top-10-best-things-to-see-do-in-bhutan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/turkeyalwan.net\/top-10-best-things-to-see-do-in-bhutan\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 best things to see & do in Bhutan"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Bhutan is the last remaining Kingdom in the world\u2019s most breathtaking mountain chain, the Himalayas. The country is an insanely beautiful Shangri-La, offering a staggering variety of mountain scenery and natural landscapes. Mysterious and shrouded in myth, Bhutan also boasts an extraordinary cultural heritage, from the striking architecture of its mountain forts and monasteries to the images of Buddhist religious figures painted or carved onto the craggy cliffs. To help you plan your Bhutan holiday, I have compiled a list of 10 must see sights and must-do experiences in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.<\/p>\n

There is more information below the slideshow. Think I missed one? Leave a comment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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*** Get the most out of your Bhutan luxury holiday with my\u00a0online Bhutan travel guide<\/a>\u00a0***<\/em><\/p>\n

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10. CLEANSE YOUR MIND AND SOUL ON A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Whether it\u2019s a session of peaceful, contemplative meditation, a relaxing soak in a mineral hot spring bath or the all-natural remedies of traditional medicine, Bhutan has just what you need to revive and rejuvenate your body and spirit. Some travel itineraries include serious meditation programs that last for days while others offer solitary retreats for a few hours in the high hills and temples where the serenity and beauty of nature can be appreciated in undisturbed silence. As one of the last strongholds of Vajrayana Buddhism, meditation and mediation retreats are a common practice amongst monks and Buddhist practitioners. Small retreat centers and hermitages are located all over the country, usually next to temples, monasteries and monastic schools, and should not be missed on a Bhutan holiday.<\/p>\n

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9. DANCE WITH MONKS AT A COLORFUL BHUTANESE FESTIVAL<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The Tshechu is a religious event held on the 10th day of each month to celebrate the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (an 8th-century Buddhist master). Tshechus are grand events where entire communities come together to witness colorful Bhutanese dances, receive blessings and socialize. It is believed that everyone in Bhutan must attend a Tshechu at least once to in order to receive blessings and wash away their sins. In monasteries, the mask dances are performed by monks and in remote villages, they are performed jointly by monks and village men. The Paro and Thimphu Tshechus are the most popular ones in the country in terms of participation and audience. Besides the locals, many tourists from across the world are attracted to these unique, colorful and exciting displays of traditional culture.<\/p>\n

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8. DRIVE THE ICONIC DOCHULA PASS<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Dochula Pass is an incredible Bhutanese mountain pass that towers at 3,140 m (10302 ft) above sea level. The pass, which links the capital Thimpu with the verdant valley of Punakha, offers exceptional views of the Himalayan mountain range along its long road. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of 108 memorial stupas gracing the mountain pass. These stupas stand in honor of Bhutanese soldiers slain in the war against rebels from India. The Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, sanctioned the shrine in 2003 after King Jigme Singye Wangchuck overcame the insurgents. It is common to see families and groups of friends seated amongst the stupas, enjoying a packed lunch and hot tea.<\/p>\n

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7. MAKE A PILGRIMAGE TO THE TEMPLE OF FERTILITY<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Chimi Lhakhang, known as the ‘fertility temple’, is a hilltop Buddhist monastery near the town of Punakha. The stupa (or meditation hall) was built over half a millennium ago by the Drukpa Kunley, a tantric Buddhist saint known for his unconventional approach to religion. Kunley is rumored to have made love to more than 5,000 women, preaching that sex would help devotees on the path to enlightenment. Today, the monastery is renowned throughout Bhutan as a fertility inducing magnet, pledging that all who wish to conceive will find guidance at the temple. Phalluses are painted on the walls of local homes around the temple in honor of Kunley, who referred to his penis as the \u2018divine thunderbolt\u2019 in an attempt to bless households and promote harmony among family members.<\/p>\n

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6. SPOT INCREDIBLY RARE BLACK NECKED CRANES IN THE WILD<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Blessed with an extraordinary range of natural habitats, from subtropical valleys to alpine peaks, Bhutan is home to some exceptional wildlife including black necked cranes. A flock of 300 of these endangered majestic birds migrate from Tibet to Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley in late autumn each year, foreshadowing the close of harvesting season and the onset of farmer relocations to the warmer, lower valleys. The birds are always welcomed in fine Bhutanese fashion, with local songs, dramas, and masked dances. Traditional stories tell the tale of a pair of cranes that choose to stay behind each year, offering themselves to the valley in thankfulness for the fare and wellbeing of their kin. Apart from its black necked cranes, the valley is also famous for its trekking opportunities and nature walks.<\/p>\n

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5. LAND AT THE WORLD’S MOST CHALLENGING AIRPORT<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Paro is Bhutan\u2019s sole international airport and the main getaway to the country. The tiny airport is nestled in a deep valley and surrounded by sharp peaks of up to 5,500 m (18,000 ft) tall. Considered the most challenging airport in the world<\/a>, flights are only allowed during daytime and under visual meteorological conditions in which pilots make their judgements by eye rather than relying on aircraft instruments. The dramatic airport approach offers incredible views for those passengers seated along the windows, although it can be a slightly stressful experience as the plane maneuvers between mountains, often at a 45-degree angle. Only a limited number of pilots are authorized to land at Paro.<\/p>\n