• National Emblem: 
 The National emblem, contained in a circle, is composed of a double diamond thunderbolt placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel & framed by two dragons. The double diamond thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular & religious power; which results from the Buddhist religion in its Vajrayana form. The lotus symbolizes purity; the jewel- sovereign power; & the two dragons – a male & female stand for the name of the country – the thunder dragon (Druk Yul).

• National Flag:  
The national flag is rectangular & divided into two parts with a white dragon in the middle. The upper yellow half signifies the country’s secular authority of the King & the lower saffron-orange half signifies the religious practice & spiritual power of Buddhism.

• National Symbols:
National Tree: Cyprus (Cupresses Corneyana).
National Flower: Blue Poppy (Mecanopsis Grandis).
National Animal: Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor).
National Bird: Raven (Corvus Corax Tibetanus)

• People: 
Bhutanese are friendly & hospitable people. The large majority of Bhutanese people are a homogeneous group divided linguistically into three broad sub-groups. These are Sharchops, Ngalong & Lhotshampa.

• National Day: 
National day is celebrated on 17th of December in commemoration of the accession of Gogsar Ughen Wangchuck, the first king of Bhutan to the throne in 1907, in Punakha Dzong.

• Currency:
Ngultrum, the currency of Bhutan , has the same value as Indian rupee, which is also a legal tender. One US $ is roughly equal to 46 NU.

• Food: 
Staple diet is red rice, buck-wheat, wheat, maize, pork, beef, chicken, yak meat, cheese & chilies which are taken as vegetable – not as spice.

• Arts & Crafts:
Bhutan is known for handicraft items in bronze, silver & other metals. Sculpting of religious figures is widely practiced & every temple, houses are large brightly painted & gilded statues of the Buddha & other saints.

• Dress: 
Bhutanese men wear “Gho”, which are longish robes tied around the waist by a cloth belt known as “Kera”. The women’s ankle-length dress is known as “Kira”, which is made of bright colored fine woven fabric with traditional patterns.

• Sports: 
The national sport of Bhutan is archery. Other traditional sports include Digor-a kind of shot put, darts, & wrestling. Other international sports, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis & table tennis are becoming popular.

• Living Culture:
Tsechu (Festival): In almost every Dzongs (fortresses that house both the monastic & the Govt. administrative wings) there is an annual traditional festival (Tsechu) that normally spans 3-4 days. Colorful & well choreographed mask dances are performed during the Tsechu. Due to the nature of the lunar calendar, exact dates for Tsechu vary from year to year.

• Trekking in Bhutan: 
Trekking involves walking though routes that pass by some of the highest mountains in the world. These mountains are permanently covered in snow & remain unclaimed. Mountaineering is forbidden in Bhutan because of the belief that mountains are representation of holy deities. The most appropriate trekking times are mid-March to mid-June & September to end of November. There are, however also trekking routes that are better suited to summer & winter. The Snowman Trek is said to be the hardest trek in the world (24days) with 12 passes between 4500 & 5300 meters.

2) Thimphu :
( Altitude 7000 feet) Thimphu is a bustling town on the bank of Thimphu Chu & set gloriously in the hills of the Thimphu valley. It’s the home to the Bhutanese Royal family, the Royal Government, & to several foreign missions & development projects. Bhutan ’s only golf course, a nine whole circuit, is situated next to the magnificent Tashichhodzong.

Tashichhodzong: The ‘Fortress of the glorious religion’ houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, the main secretariat building & the central monk body. It’s courtyard is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tshechu & when the monk body moves to it’s winter residence in Punakha.

Memorial Chorten: This stupa was built in 1974 by the mother of the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in memory of her son.

The Institute of Zorig Chusum : The traditional arts & craft institute.

National Library: Bhutan ’s national Library is located close to the Institute of Zorig Chusum & contains Bhutan ’s history in the form of religious & historical literature.

The Folk Heritage Museum : Founded by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck the museum is one of it’s kind that portrays the life style of a genteel family in the Thimphu valley in the olden days.

The Institute of Traditional Medicine : A hospital of Indigenous medicine.

Weekend Market: Every Saturday & Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river, where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley & other nearby places come to sell their agricultural products.
 
For the spiritually inclined & those prefer short treks- there are various monasteries & temples in & around Thimphu .

3) Punakha:
(Altitude 4420 feet) Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It’s the winter seat of the Je Khempo (Chief Abbot) & the monk body. It has a temperate climate & its rich fertile valley is fed by the Pho Chu & Mo Chu Rivers.

Druk Wangyel Chortens at Dochula: On the way to Punakha to from Thimphu is the Dochula pass from where a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range can be seen, especially on clear winter days. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyel Chortens – a 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.

Punakha Dzong: The Punakha Dzong was build by the Shabdrung in 1637. It stands majestically at the junction on two rivers- Pho Chu & Mo Chu. The Dzong is open for visitors during the Punakha Tsechu & during the summer months when the monk body moves to Thimphu .

Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten: Build by the third Queen, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of the fine Bhutanese architecture, art & is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been built over eight & a half years & its details have been drawn from religious scriptures.

6) Bumthang :
( Altitude 8,530 – 13,125 feet) This fascinating valley is the religious heartland of the nation & home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples & monasteries. Its gentle sloping hills offer plenty of walking opportunities to the many temples that dot this valley. The valley is also famous for its production of honey, cheese, apple & yatha- a woolen material that has multiple uses.

Jambey Lhakhang: it’s one of the 108 monasteries built by King Songtsen Goempa in the 8th century to subdue evil sprits in the Himalayan region.
Kurje Lhakhang: Kurje Lhakhang is located just a few meters beyond Jambey Lhakhang. It is dedicated to the saint Guru Padmasambhava who was supposed to have meditated there in 8th century.

Tamshing Lhakhang: This monastery lies on the other side of the river opposite the Kurje Lhakhang. It was built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, a re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava & whose linage the Royal family traces their ancestors too.

Jakar Dzong: The Dzong was initially built as a monastery in 1549by the great grand father of the Shabdrung. It is now used as the administrative center for the Bumthang district. The Bumthang Tsechu is one of the most popular. It’s held mostly at night & is said to bring fertility to any woman wanting a child.

Mebar Tsho (Lake of Burning Fire): This is a sacred lake of the Bhutanese who believe that Pema Lingpa discovered religious treasures from this lake in the 12th century. On auspicious days many Bhutanese go offer butter lamps on this fresh water lake.

Ura Village: Ura lies in the Tang valley, a one & a half hours drive from Bumthang town. The drive is mainly through sheep pastures & along the way one can glimpse magnificent view of the Mount Gangkar Puensum from Ura la. The main characteristics of this village is the closely cluster houses. It is the last settlement before the climb to the highest road pass at Trumsingla.

7) Mongar:
(Altitude 5575 feet) The Journey from Bumthang to Mongar is one of the most beautiful in the Himalayas crossing 3800 meters high Trumsing-la pass. Mongar marks the beginning of eastern Bhutan . The second largest town in the sub tropical east, Mongar, like Trashigang further east, is situated on the side of a hill in contrast to the other towns of western Bhutan which are built on the valley floor.

8) Trashigang :
( Altitude 3775 feet) This is the largest district of Bhutan & it lies in the Far East on the banks of river Gamri Chu. It was once the center of a busy trade with Tibet . Today it’s the junction of east-west highway with road connecting to Samdrupjonkhar & then to the Indian state of Assam . The nomadic people of Merak & Sakten who are remarkable for their exceptional features & costumes use this town as their market place mostly during winter.