Bhutan Culture
Social Conventions
The majority of people in Bhutan live an agrarian lifestyle. Known for being conservative and reserved, religion plays an important role in everyday life. It is important to remember when visiting religious or sacred places to remove shoes and hats before entering and respectful clothing should be worn.
As of 1990, by law, Bhutanese people are required to wear the national dress in public during daylight hours. Men wear robes called gho and women wear kiras in bright colours with brooches and wraparound skirts.
Please note that smoking is prohibited in public places and it is illegal to buy or sell tobacco products in Bhutan.
Religion
The Kingdom of Bhutan is the only country in the world where Buddhism is the official religion and is endorsed by the government. Despite growing out of Tibetan Buddhism, the Buddhism practiced in Bhutan is different when it comes to rituals, liturgies and organization.
Minority religions found in Bhutan include Hinduism (usually followed by people of Nepalese descent), 5% of the population follows Islam and there are a small number of Catholic and Protestants in Bhutan.
Langauge
The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha which is derived from Tibetan language. There are over 13 dialects in Dzongkha because many villages in Bhutan developed in isolation of each other. Sharchopka is spoken in the east while people from Nepal who live in Bhutan speak Nepali. English has become the medium used in most schools while some people speak Hindi due to the relationship that Bhutan has with India.
Bhutan Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Bhutan.
Learn about the history and culture of Bhutan, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Bhutan's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Bhutan for yourself. Start exploring...book one of our Bhutan tours today!
Extend Your Trip
After your Bhutan vacation, consider taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting China vacation packages, India tours and Thailand vacation packages plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries.
Book your Bhutan tour with Goway!
ASIA by Goway is an exclusive division that specializes in planning and organizing Bhutan tours, vacations and experiences. Choose from a simple city stopover or see the country highlights when travelling on one of our independent travel modules. We want to be your first choice when next you go globetrotting to Bhutan.
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