不丹——最后的香格里拉

昨天晚上在messenger上遇到了高三时网上认识的一个笔友，五年多没有联系了，有些激动。她家在不丹的首都廷布，算是一个被世界遗忘的角落吧。据说不丹特别重视环境保护，尽管森林覆盖率特别高，可还是严格控制木材的砍伐，而且从某报上看过一篇报道，说不丹政府不以经济发达为追求目标，而是致力于提高人民的“幸福指数”，也就是说，人家并不认为物质决定意识，经济基础决定上层建筑，整天把GDP挂在嘴边。希望以后能有机会能去不丹玩，顺便爬爬附近的珠穆朗玛峰。

和她认识时刚接触网络不久，那时候觉得能在网上和那么遥远的地方的人聊天，真的是一件奇妙的事情。后来出乎意料的收到了她从不丹寄来的信（不是email)，记得当同学告诉我有一封我的来自国外的信时，我是那么的惊讶和高兴。不丹的信封和邮票都做得很有特色，非常漂亮，至今我还保留着那些信。由于是用英文交流，信的内容都停留在很浅的层面，类似英语作文——其实和她就是在一个英语学习网站上认识的。相互写了来两三封信之后，再没有联系。

她现在在美国上本科最后一年，学的是graphic design.而我告诉她我学的是chinese ancient literature——a weird major.

 

不丹国旗（怎么像咱大清国旗）：

 

"The Land of The (Peaceful) Thunder Dragon"
"Peaceful was added later, but we like it anyway."

Bhutan's National Anthem

Our Land locked Mountain Kingdom is bordered by Tibet, China, India, near Nepal and Bangladesh.  Never Heard of Bhutan? The spelling has changed a few times.  The original spelling from Marco Polo times was "Bootan" in the Roman Alphabet, but we call our country "Druk Yul."  Most Asians haven't even heard about Bhutan - we've been pretty quiet up here in the Himalayas.  We were not involved with the Industrial Age, the World Wars, nor the Arms Race, and until recently not even cyberspace.  In fact many of us didn't know you existed until we got your e-mail.  We live on our own "Roof of the World" and have kept to our selves for hundreds of years.

Now it is permissible to visit Bhutan. Find out about Bhutan and visit soon.

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Geography:
 Bhutan is a landlocked country. It is about 47,000 kilometres - roughly the size of Switzerland. It is located between Tibet in the north, Indian states of West Bengal and Assam in the south, and Arunachal Pradesh in the east.

Bhutan is a land of soaring snowcapped peaks, alpine meadows and densely forested hills and ravines abounding in exotic flora and fauna. From May to August, hills are covered with an awesome variety of flowers decorated with waterfalls and streams gushing in wild abandon.

Maps of Bhutan

History:
Bhutan's early history is steeped in Buddhist tradition and mythology. Bhutan's medieval and modern history was a time of warlords, feuds, giant fortresses and castles. The visit of Padama Sambhava in 747 AD is the important landmark in the history of the country. The kingdom's recent history begins with a hereditary monarchy that was founded in the 20th century and continued the country's policy of isolationism. It was under the leadership of the third king that Bhutan emerged from its medieval past of serfdom and reclusion.

Despite the speed of modernization, Bhutan has maintained a policy of careful, controlled policy of development in order to preserve its national identity.

Though known as Bhutan to the outside world, to the Bhutanese, the country is known as Druk Yul, 'land of the thunder dragon'. The people are known as the Drukpas.

Religion/Culture:
The State religion is Drukpa Kagyupa a branch of Mahayana Buddhism. It has been institutionalised in the Dratshang (Central Monk body), headed by the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) who is chosen from among the most learned lamas and enjoys an equal rank with the King. Bhutan is the only country in the world to have adopted Mahayana Buddhism in its Tantric form as its official religion.

The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all strands of secular life.

People:
Bhutanese are a mongolid race of people who originally migrated into and settled the country in the 7th Century AD. A nomadic and pastoral society at first, they gradually turned to agriculture in the fertile valleys.

There are three main ethnic groups - the Ngalongs in the western and central regions are the descendants of Tibetan immigrants who arrived in Bhutan from the 9th century. The Sharchops who live in the east of the country, are recognized as the original inhabitants of Bhutan. The third group is known as Lhotshampas. They represent the Nepali speaking ethnic group. The total population of Bhutan is about 600,000.
Sakten Valley, world of the Brokpas

Festivals:
There are many religious festivals. The best known festivals are the Tsechus which are held at different times of the year in different locations. Tsechus are celebrated for three to five days with both monks and laymen taking part in the ritual mask dances.
Tsechu Schedules

Dzongs:
These massive fortress-monasteries decorate most hill-tops and valleys. They serve as the administrative headquarters and are the focus of secular and religious authority in each districts.
Architecture of Bhutan

The Rural Bhutan:
The first thing that a visitor to Bhutan will notice is the great expanse of green, forested hillsides. A drive or trek through the country-side of Bhutan will take you from the subtropical forests over high alpine passes and down to broad valleys with colorfully painted houses scattered across the landscape.

Trekking:
For the trekking enthusiasts, there are numerous routes ranging from low ( 9840 ft) to medium (10,000 ft) to very high altitude (14,400 ft) treks. Rainbow Tours and Treks and Sakten Tours and Treks can  organize dozens of different programs including Eco-Trekking, an Orchid Trek, Medicinal Plant Treks, Bird-Watching Treks and a Yeti trek. Trek and Tour Itineraries

Flora and Fauna:
Bhutan is a botanical paradise. One of the ancient names given to Bhutan was 'Southern Valleys of Medicinal Herbs'. To name a few floras in Bhutan- rhododendrons, junipers and magnolias several meters high, carnivorous plants, rare orchids, blue poppy (national flower), edelweiss, gentian, medicinal plants, daphne, giant rhubarb, high-altitude plants, tropical tress, pine and oak etc.

Among the rare and exotic faunas found in Bhutan are - Golden Langur, Red Pandas, Black-necked Crane, Snow Leopard, Takin, Musk Deer, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Marten, Tiger, hornbills, pheasants, mountain goats and timid blue sheep.
Flowers of Bhutan
Bird Watching in Bhutan
The Thrung Thrung Karm

Vital Statistics of Bhutan