| Bhutan remains one of the most secluded nations in | | | | Bhutan remains one of the most secluded nations in |
| the world, and almost tourists are involved to book | | | | the world, and almost tourists are involved to book |
| packaged tours (offered by the country's numerous | | | | packaged tours (offered by the country's numerous |
| tourist agencies) in order to travel around the country. | | | | tourist agencies) in order to travel around the country. |
| Bhutan is one of the to the highest degree isolated | | | | In contrast to Nepal, which is well-known as a budget |
| nations in the world, foreign influences and tourism are | | | | travel destination, Bhutan imposes a minimal daily fee |
| heavily regulated by the government to maintain its | | | | of US$200 for tourists travelling in groups during high |
| traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. most Bhutanese | | | | season, or US$240 per day for single travelers (who |
| follow either the Drukpa Kagyu or the Nyingmapa | | | | still must be accompanied by a guide and driver). |
| school of Tibetan Buddhism. The official language is | | | | The traditional dress for Ngalong and Sharchop men is |
| Dzongkha (lit. "the language of the dzong"). | | | | the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waistline by a |
| Bhutan is often described as the last surviving refuge | | | | cloth belt known as the kera. Women wear an |
| of traditional Himalayan Buddhist culture. Non-Buddhists | | | | ankle-length dress, the kira, which is clipped at one |
| complain of man rights violations; approximately 100,000 | | | | shoulder and tied at the waist. A accompaniment to |
| ethnic Nepali (who are usually Hindu) left the country in | | | | the kira is a long-sleeved blouse, the toego, which is |
| the 1980s as they were unhappy with new | | | | wear off underneath the outer layer. Social status and |
| government insurances designed to reduce the | | | | class find out the texture, colours, and decorations that |
| growing illegal immigration derived from Nepal. | | | | embellish the garments. |
| Stone tools, arms, and remnants of big stone | | | | Scarves and shawls are also indicants of social |
| structures provide evidence that Bhutan was | | | | standings, as Bhutan has traditionally been a feudal |
| populated as former as 2000 BC. Historians have | | | | society. Earrings are wear off by females. |
| theorised that the state of Lhomon (literally, "southern | | | | Controversially, Bhutanese law now requires these |
| darkness"), or Monyul ("Dark Land", a reference to the | | | | Tibetan-style garments for all Bhutanese citizens |
| Monpa - the aboriginal peoples of Bhutan) may have | | | | including the Nepalese, who are not of Tibetan stock. |
| existed between 500 BC and AD 600. The names | | | | Bhutan's national sport is archery, and competitions are |
| Lhomon Tsendenjong (Sandalwood Country), and | | | | held regularly in virtually all villages. It differs from |
| Lhomon Khashi, or even Southern Mon (country of | | | | Olympic standards not only in technical details such as |
| four approaches) have been found in ancient | | | | the placement of the targets and atmosphere. There |
| Bhutanese and Tibetan chronicles. | | | | are two targets placed over 100 metres apart and |
| The earliest transcribed event in Bhutan was the | | | | teams shoot from one end of the field to the other. |
| passage of the Buddhist saint Padmasambhava (also | | | | Both member of the team shoots 2 arrows per round. |
| called Guru Rinpoche) in the 8th century. Bhutan's | | | | Traditional Bhutanese archery is a social festival and |
| former history is unclear, because to the highest | | | | competitions are organised between villages, towns, |
| degree of the records were destructed after fire | | | | and amateur teams. |
| ravaged Punakha, the ancient capital in 1827. By the | | | | There are typically plenty of food and drink complete |
| 10th century, Bhutan's political development was heavily | | | | with singing and dancing cheerleaders comprising of |
| influenced by its religious history. | | | | the wives and supporters of the participating teams. |
| Several sub-sects of Buddhism issued which were | | | | Attempts to distract A opponent include standing |
| patronised by the Several Mongol & Tibetan overlords. | | | | around the target and making fun of the shooter's |
| After the decline of the Mongols in the 14th century, | | | | ability. Darts (khuru) is A equally popular outdoor team |
| those sub-sects vied with each more for mastery in | | | | sport, in which heavy wooden darts indicated with a |
| the political & spiritual landscape, eventually leading to | | | | 10cm nail are throw away at a paperback-sized target |
| the ascendancy of the Drukpa sub-sect by the 16th | | | | ten to twenty metres away. |
| century. | | | | |