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Hollie | profile | all galleries >> Around The World Trip January, 2005 >> Bhutan tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan, in the Himalayas, has been isolated for centuries from the rest of the world. It opened for tourism in 1974 but only allows groups, not individuals, it limits the number of tourists visiting each year.

It adjoins India and China, near Nepal. Most people are Tibetan Buddhist, monasteries are everywhere.

Modernization is strictly monitored. Buildings must be built in the Bhutanese style so they all look similar. The people must dress in historic Bhutanese clothing and are fined if they are not dressed accordingly.
Himalayas surrounding Bhutan, Everest is in center
Himalayas surrounding Bhutan, Everest is in center		 The Paro Valley, mountains are everywhere in Bhutan
The Paro Valley, mountains are everywhere in Bhutan		 Another part of Paro Valley, all houses must be built in this Bhutanese style
Another part of Paro Valley, all houses must be built in this Bhutanese style		 Monastery near Paro
Monastery near Paro
On the Road to Paro
On the Road to Paro		 Downtown Thimpu, the capital
Downtown Thimpu, the capital		 Traditional and Compulsury Bhutanese clothes for Men
Traditional and Compulsury Bhutanese clothes for Men		 Ceremonial dancing in historic costumes
Ceremonial dancing in historic costumes
Dancer
Dancer		 Ceremonial shoes, they don't wear these every day
Ceremonial shoes, they don't wear these every day		 Typical Bhutanese architecture
Typical Bhutanese architecture		 This type of decor is on all the buildings, more muted colors than Tibet
This type of decor is on all the buildings, more muted colors than Tibet
Tiger's Nest monastery perched on the edge of a sheer cliff. Great for hikes.
Tiger's Nest monastery perched on the edge of a sheer cliff. Great for hikes.		 Gold prayer wheels
Gold prayer wheels		 Inside a Buddhist Nunnery
Inside a Buddhist Nunnery		 Nunnery kitchen
Nunnery kitchen
Taking a Bath at the Nunnery
Taking a Bath at the Nunnery		 Thimpu prayer wheels
Thimpu prayer wheels		 These stupas are everywhere
These stupas are everywhere		 An isolated village outside Paro
An isolated village outside Paro
Isolated village, typical architecture
Isolated village, typical architecture		 Woman from village
Woman from village		 Kids in the village
Kids in the village		 Bhutan Map
Bhutan Map

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Pete Davies 26-Mar-2009 21:17
Just returned from Bhutan-----The dress code is only for business/work. They can ware regular clothes---and do ----when not working. There is no limit on visitors----that ended a few years ago. Ran into several travelers traveling solo. Some new buildings do not have the traditional Bhutan style, but most do. Monks are limited to 7000 (presently 6700) out of a total population of 675,000.
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