Question 1

What is the population of Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

The population of Bhutan is approximately 787,424.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

Bhutanese use the traditional chaglen greeting (bowing with both palms spread over the knee, ankle and instep depending on the addressee's social and religious status), and handshaking has also become common. Do: Offer a handshake at introductions and departures to promote good relations Use the traditional chaglen bow, adjusting to the addressee's social and religious status Doma, or betel nut, is offered as a customary gesture of greeting

Question 3

What is dining and food like in Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

The staple diet includes red rice, buckwheat, wheat, maize, pork, beef, chicken, yak meat, cheese and chilies, with meat dishes lavishly spiced with chilies. Chilies are eaten as a vegetable, not just as a spice Emadatse, made of chili, cottage cheese and herbs, is considered the unofficial national dish Salted butter tea (suja) is served on all social occasions Chang, a local beer, and arra, a distilled spirit, are widely favored

Question 4

What should I know about etiquette and customs in Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

Bhutanese are friendly and hospitable, and their way of life is greatly influenced by religion. Public body contact is very limited in Bhutanese culture Every Bhutanese home has a special prayer room known as chosum

Question 5

How should I dress in Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

Traditional dress includes the gho for men and the kira for women. Men wear the gho, a longish robe tied at the waist with a cloth belt called kera Women wear the ankle-length kira, made of bright, finely woven fabric with traditional patterns

Question 6

What is the capital of Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and its largest city, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the kingdom. Situated in the Wang Chhu river valley in the western part of the country, Thimphu is one of the few national capitals in the world without traffic lights — a distinction its residents take quiet pride in. The city blends modern government infrastructure with traditional Bhutanese architecture, and it houses the Tashichho Dzong, the imposing fortress-monastery that serves as the seat of government.

Question 7

Where is Bhutan located?

Accepted Answer

Bhutan is a landlocked country located in South Asia, nestled in the eastern Himalayas between two of the world's most populous nations. It occupies a strategically significant position on the southern slopes of the Himalayan range, and its terrain descends dramatically from high alpine peaks in the north to subtropical plains in the south. Long isolated by geography and deliberate policy, Bhutan has maintained a distinct cultural identity that sets it apart from its neighbors in the broader Asian region.

Question 8

What countries border Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

Bhutan shares its borders with two countries: India to the south, east, and west, and China (Tibet) to the north. The relationship with India has been particularly formative — following Indian independence in 1947, India assumed responsibility for Bhutan's defense and foreign relations, a role previously held by Britain under the 1910 treaty. The border with China remains partially demarcated, and the two countries have engaged in ongoing boundary negotiations for several decades.

Question 9

What is the predominant religion in Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

Lamaistic Buddhism is the dominant religion in Bhutan, practiced by approximately 75% of the population. The remaining roughly 25% are predominantly Hindu, largely concentrated among the Lhotshampa community of Nepali origin in the southern lowlands. Buddhism permeates virtually every aspect of Bhutanese public and private life — every household traditionally maintains a dedicated prayer room known as a chosum, and the country's dzongs (fortress-monasteries) function simultaneously as administrative centers and active religious institutions.

Question 10

What is the currency of Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

The official currency of Bhutan is the Bhutanese Ngultrum, with the ISO code BTN. The Ngultrum is pegged at par to the Indian Rupee, which is also accepted as legal tender throughout the country — a practical reflection of Bhutan's deep economic ties with India. The currency's name derives from the Dzongkha words for "royal currency," and it was introduced in 1974 as part of Bhutan's broader effort to develop independent national institutions.

Question 11

What language is spoken in Bhutan?

Accepted Answer

Dzongkha is the official national language of Bhutan and is used in government, education, and formal communication. It belongs to the Tibetan language family and is written in the classical Tibetan script. Beyond Dzongkha, the Sharchop people of eastern Bhutan speak Tshangla and related Tibetan dialects, while the Lhotshampa community of the south speak Nepali and various related dialects. English is widely used in schools and government offices, making it a de facto language of administration and instruction.

Question 12

What is Bhutan known for?

Accepted Answer

Bhutan is internationally recognized for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, a development framework that prioritizes citizens' well-being and cultural preservation over purely economic growth. The country is also famed for its dramatic Himalayan dzongs, particularly Paro Taktsang — the "Tiger's Nest" monastery — which clings to a sheer cliffside and is one of Asia's most iconic pilgrimage sites. Bhutan's skilled artisans produce highly regarded handicrafts in bronze, silver, and other metals, including intricately sculpted religious figures found in temples across the kingdom. Its strict high-value, low-impact tourism policy, which requires visitors to pay a daily government fee, keeps visitor numbers limited and infrastructure strain low.

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