10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT BHUTAN

The fifth and reigning Dragon King of Bhutan went to Oxford University.

The people of Bhutan denounced democracy as a show of support for the King, but he thrust it upon them anyway.

Bhutan’s national sport is archery. The top prize for larger competitions is often a car – seen as the ultimate status symbol in a country where the majority of people travel on foot.

The country’s first established brewery is called Red Panda Brewery and was opened in 2006 by Fritz Maurer, originally Swiss but a Bhutanese citizen since 1976. Red Panda beer is very strong (especially at altitude!)

Men wear goh’s, which are a Bhutanese version of the Scottish kilt worn with knee-length socks.

Himalayan Buddhists believe that after a family member has died, hoisting up 108 flags helps line the path and ease the dead into their next life. Poorer families who aren’t able to afford flags may choose 108 white stones instead.

The Snowman Trek is Bhutan’s most difficult trekking expedition. A 25-day challenge that attracts only a handful of hikers each season, crosses 11 passes over 4,500 metres, and leads them into one of the country’s most remote valleys.

Bhutan chose to have a Gross National Happiness Index instead of a GDP. They believed that it is more in line with their Buddhist principles.

Phalluses are deemed good luck in Bhutan, and phallic artwork can be seen on most doors around the country. The origin of this stems from the ‘Divine Madman’, a saint who encouraged people to discard social conventions by provoking them with obscene sexual antics. He believed that these conventions were preventing people from true Buddhist enlightenment.