Bhutan is a small country located near the eastern part of the Himalayas, and bounded by the countries of India and China. The country is known for its breath taking landscapes, unpolluted environment and peaceful society, factors that have earned it the sobriquet ‘the Last Shangri-La’. The majority of tourist attractions in the country are cultural, but there are plenty of picturesque areas for nature lovers to visit.
The Taktsang Monastery (which means ‘Tigers Nest’) is a temple in Paro. Constructed on a cliff over a kilometre high, the temple is a definite ‘must visit’. Other important attractions include Kurje Lhakhang, which is a temple built next to a cave that was once frequented by Guru Rinpoche; and the Jakar Dzong, which is a fortress built during the seventeenth century. Travellers may also enjoy visiting the National Library, the Ta Dzong, the Drugyel Dzong and the Kichu Lhakhang.
While most countries that rely on tourism go to great lengths to be open and accessible, Bhutan is somewhat different. Although the country no longer restricts tourist numbers some of the visa rules are still quite unusual. The country does not offer visa on arrival, instead one has to get visa in advance. The procedure is quite straightforward but one has to pay a set some in advance. The sum depends on the number of days one intends to stay and covers all costs including lodging, food and travel.
While this unique arrangement might strike some travellers as being strange, it does have a tremendous upside- unlike other tourist destinations Bhutan is not overrun with tourists. One does not have to contend with long lines at every major attraction and the local culture has survived more or less intact.
With things like food and travel taken care of, the real question is where to stay. Those who want to stay at a luxury Bhutan hotel will have to try the tourist regions. The Uma Bhutan is a Paro hotel, Paro being one of the most popular tourist destinations within the country. The hotel is located in the gorgeous Paro Valley and offers guests easy access to many of the country’s greatest cultural attractions.
