Butane, a unique country that seems to live in two parallel worlds. Butan’s culture goes into antiquity by its roots and has almost not changed over centuries of complete isolation, but at the same time, many laws adopted in the state are so progressive that the laws of the most developed European countries are ahead of the laws. Today we invite you to make a virtual trip to Bhutan, after which you will have no doubt that this country must be seen with your own eyes!
To begin with, until 1974, a foreigner could get into Butane only at the personal invitation of the king or queen. The ban on the entrance was lifted in order to increase the incomes of the population, but the number of tourists was limited to high duties for each day of stay in the country. Butane huddles in the Himalayas between India and China and its boundaries are guarded by mountains and impenetrable forests. The only international airport is located in the city of Pars at an altitude of more than 2000 meters above sea level, only eight pilots in the world have the necessary qualifications for landing there. The fact is that when entering the landing, the aircraft should perform a complex maneuver and fly through the gorge, so exciting adventures begin on the way to Butan.
An independent tourist is still impossible to come to Butane, since by the law of all visitors to the country should be accompanied by guides. However, this fact should not scare away; On the contrary, it is thanks to the help of guides that one can truly understand the way of life and the nature of the Butans.
Butane of the past
The first thing that catches the eye on the streets of Butana is traditional clothing that all local residents wear. According to the law, all official events, national holidays and even work are required to wear national costumes: men – ghho dressing gown, and women – Kira skirts and tig jackets. However, in their free time, the inhabitants of Butan prefer to dress in the same way, only young people occasionally dress up “in European”. Houses and streets also retained their authenticity: low, two or three floors of the building decorate the shutters and facades painted by hand. Even on the central streets there are no advertising shields and billboards, but there is no garbage; Everywhere there are urns with the inscription “Do not forget about me.”
The traditional way of life has been preserved in the customs of the Butans: hospitality and politeness are one of the main virtues. According to the rules of etiquette, the owner always offers a treat several times, because it is customary to refuse the first sentence. Tourists are strongly asked not to treat the children on the streets, and the kids, in turn, are raised to refuse gifts: you will not meet beggars on the streets of Butana, as in neighboring India. Since childhood, the Budans have been studying astrology and not a single important solution can do without consulting an astrologer. Residents of the country believe that they are patronized by the “thunder dragon”, which lives in the mountains and flies into monasteries, attracted by the prayers of the monks.
The most popular sport in the country is also inextricably linked with the past – this is onion shooting. In ancient times, in this way, hunters mined food for themselves and their family, so every man knew how to handle onions and arrows. Nowadays, in Butan they shoot only at special targets, but they do it with the same skill and excitement.
Naturally, the oldest and most interesting part of Butan is far from cities. Numerous Buddhist monasteries and temple complexes are hidden in the mountains. The most famous monastery is called a tiger nest, it is located on a ledge cut in a rock, and a dizzying view of the surrounding valleys and mountains, including the highest peak of Butana – Jomolhari, opens from its territory. To get into a tiger nest, tourists will have to sweat properly – a walking rise to an almost kilometer height will take several hours. On the way, you repeatedly ask yourself as the ancient monks delivered up the materials for the construction of the temple. But rising, you will understand why they did this: the opening look was worth all the labors.
Butane of the future
The traditional way of life creates the illusion that the Kingdom of Butane has almost not changed since ancient times. At the same time, state laws protecting this very way will seem to be the utopian majority of Europeans. The main thing that distinguishes Butane from all other countries of the world – the standard of living in the country is measured not by GDP, but by such an indicator as “gross national happiness”. According to the Constitution, the priority task of the government is to make every citizen happy, therefore, a special commission for universal popular happiness is working in the country. Her work is to regularly conduct sociological surveys and evaluate satisfaction with the standard of living of the population. The government, in turn, making decisions regarding the economic development of the country, is also guided by the data obtained.
In Butan there is not a single homeless citizen. If a person does not have land, he turns to the king, and he is given a plot sufficient to build a house and grow rice. The taxation system is also quite flexible – if you earn little, the state allows you not to pay taxes.
While ecologists around the world are in alarm due to deforestation, the forest is protected by the state in Butan; By law, he should occupy at least 60% of the territory. You can’t kill animals either, no one. Budans rarely eat meat, and everything is imported from India. But in the country, agriculture is very developed, and environmentally friendly-the import of any chemical fertilizers is strictly prohibited.
The inhabitants of Butan are distinguished by excellent health: pure mountain air and physical labor are affected. Budans walk a lot and with pleasure on foot, there are few personal and public transport in the country: for 700,000 people account for about 25,000 vehicles. Smoking is also prohibited, and the import of cigarettes by tourists is strictly regulated. All garbage is taken out of Butan to India for processing, so there are no landfills in the kingdom.
In the schools of Butan, children are taught accurate and humanities, and also instructed traditional cultural values. The main lesson, which the Budans learn since childhood, is that money is not the main thing, and probably this is the secret of their happiness. And although the journey to Butane cannot be called an inexpensive pleasure, acquaintance with this amazing country, its laws, customs and philosophy, perhaps, will make you change your views on life, so in the end you will acquire much more than you spend.
With Onetwotrip, you can now feel like a wizard and fulfill someone’s old dream by giving a gift certificate on a trip.
Convenient site search site – OneTwotrip.
You may be interesting:
Why should you go on a single journey
6 ways to help the body cope with jetlag
