Bhutan - What is it known for?

First and foremost, Bhutan is known for its sovereignty . Although the country adopt a constitutional monarchy system, its head of state is addressed as the King of Bhutan or in Bhutanese term, Druk Gyaplo which translates to Dragon King in English. Although this sovereignty could be passed down among family members of the royal blood, the King’s position could be removed by a two-thirds majority vote from the parliament. Also, as Bhutan is a very religious country, they have a religious officer called Je Khenpo that is typically viewed as the closest and most powerful advisor to the King of Bhutan. Currently, the Je Khenpo is Trulku Jigme Chhoeda.

King of Bhutan :

Je Khenpo :

Secondly, Bhutan is also known for having the smallest economy in the world. It is heavily based on agriculture and forestry and is responsible for the livelihood of more than 60% of the population. However, thanks to globalisation and its impact on technology, Bhutan is now able to communicate with the rest of the world. Although the economy is small, the people take their happiness level seriously. On the “World Map of Happiness”, Bhutan came in 8^th position.

Thirdly, Bhutan is also known for its exceptional natural beauty and unique, fascinating culture. The people of Bhutan are known for their vibrant and lively lifestyle and warm hospitality. Often referred to as "the living museum" of the world, Bhutan is famous for its well-preserved historical cities and ruins, Dzongs (Fortress) with their remarkable architectural style, Buddhist monasteries and temples etc. They are one of the rare countries that emphasis a lot on the preservation of their natural culture and tradition and at the same welcoming tourist arrival. Hence, many western tourists love to visit Bhutan to gain an insight into their exciting culture.

Last but not least, Bhutanese people are known for their extraordinary weaving and crafting skills. With a rich legacy of weaving handed down from one generation to the other, Bhutanese weavers have been able to preserve the centuries old craft in its traditional form. Bhutanese women are also expected to know how to weave and this chore is often interwined with raising a family and farming. Not only that, what is unique in my opinion is that again, the Bhutanese has not choose to ‘surrender’ to globalization and adopt the modernised way of weaving. Instead, they opt to use their traditional methods as they feel it is one of the country’s most important heritage.