Overview Experience

Welcome to the
world’s
happy
place

Bhutan

Buddhist Monk sitting on Monastery wall in Bhutan

We all have a happy place. Somewhere we can go to escape from the world and switch off, even if sometimes that visit is emotional not physical. For some, it’s the much-loved spot frequented as a child; for others, a favourite hike or idyllic beach. But what if the world itself needed a happy place: where would that be? There can be only one answer: Bhutan. This tiny mountain kingdom measures success and progress in terms of happiness rather than wealth. When a nation focuses on Gross National Happiness rather than Gross Domestic Product, you know that it’s the kind of place the world needs. A world, by the way, that Bhutan is striving to save by being the first country to be carbon negative.

Calm mountain Yak resting in Bhutan

Bhutan’s unspoilt wilderness is home to native wildlife, such as red pandas, black bears and snow leopards plus the domesticated yak – but probably not a
yeti.

Fortresses
and
festivals

Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan

Fortresses
and
festivals

This Buddhist kingdom is a place where the 17th century comfortably co-exists with the 21st, a feat that’s most visible at the fortress monasteries. Known
locally as dzongs, these white-walled bastions have guarded the mountains, and offered peaceful solitude, for centuries. Most imposing is the Tiger’s Nest,
built into a sheer cliff and only accessible on foot. Trust us, it’s worth the trek up there. Even if you don’t have a head for heights, you can enjoy the religious
architecture down in the lush valleys, with gilded temples waiting to enchant you.

Nature
at
its
best

Imagine a country that is landlocked and mountainous but produces most of its electricity with hydropower. A country where both the natural environment
and age-old traditions are cherished. A country that is often rated as one of the happiest places in the world. No, we’re not talking about Switzerland but
Bhutan. The alpine republic and the Dragon Kingdom might be almost the same size but there are some big differences between the two. For starters,
Bhutan’s mountains – the Himalayas – are nearly twice the height of the Alps, while its population is only a tenth the size of Switzerland’s.

Buddhist stupas in Bhutan base trekking
Panoramic view of valley and rice crops between the rivers in Bhutan
Punakha Suspension Bridge in Bhutan
Punakha Suspension Bridge in Bhutan

Bhutan’s pristine landscape is one of the best reasons to venture to this remote reclusive country. Nearly three-quarters of the land is covered by forests,
much of it in national parks, while sparkling glacial lakes punctuate the route of many hikes – or rather, treks. This is high-altitude high-energy hiking but the
spectacular views reward the effort, whether on day treks or along the newly relaunched Trans-Bhutan Trail. That 400-km route right across the country takes
a full 30 days but don’t worry, you can also just enjoy one or two sections.

Out of
this
world

Foggy day over a town in Bhutan

Out of
this
world

‘We’ve been called Shangri-La. But we are not Shangri-La. My country is not one big monastery populated with happy monks.’ Bhutan’s former Prime
Minister, Tshering Tobgay, once tried to downplay his country’s reputation for being close to perfect. He was right in one respect: this isn’t Shangri-La, a
fictional place that was just an imaginary ideal, but Bhutan is undeniably beautiful and only recently accessible. Until 1974, the country was closed off from
the world, and still today, it is well off the tourist track.

Young novice monk sitting for meditation in temple of Bhutan
Young novice monk sitting for meditation in temple of Bhutan

High value, low impact is the national ethos for receiving visitors. It aims to maximise the benefits but minimise the effects of mass tourism, so that both the
country and its culture are protected. Sandwiched between the two most populous countries in the world, the people of this mountain idyll strive to be
different. All development is driven by happiness, education is free, mountains cannot be climbed and the environment is protected as if it were a member of
the family.

Bhutan is a place to escape from the world, unwind with nature and find inspiration (and we don’t mean the crisp mountain air). We can’t wait to go back.

You can discover all seven inspirations for 2023 here. Or if you’d like to know more, please contact us directly.

Written by: Diccon Bewes on 11 January 2023

Explore more
Cosa
inspirations

View from red car on famous Route 66 in Californian desert
  • Inspiration
  • USA & Canada

The mother of all road trips

Small talk can lead to big changes. At the car rental counter in Chicago airport, the agent casually asked me …

Catch the locals playing football at the beaches of Rio de Janeiro
  • Inspiration
  • South America

How to live like a Carioca

It was love at first sight. I’m not sure how Rio felt, mainly because it has so many admirers that …

Botswana Mokoro Ride in Chobe River
  • Inspiration
  • Southern Africa

An African safari like no other

Mokoro is a word you’ve probably never heard but once you’ve sat in one, you’ll never forget it. This low …

Como Laucala aerial view of tropical pool side
  • Inspiration
  • Oceania

Your private slice of paradise

Sitting on your deck with your feet dangling in your pool, listening to the waves lapping on the nearby sand, …

Welcome to the world’s happy place