Bhutan
Travel Blog
Stories, destination guides, festival tips and local wisdom — curated by those who know the Kingdom best.
From the Kingdom
History & Culture
Bhutan’s National Butterfly: Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory
Bhutan’s national butterfly was known from just five specimens collected in 1933, then vanished from scientific record for 75 years. Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory — Endangered, CITES-protected, and peaking in August in a remote corner of eastern Bhutan — is one of the most extraordinary national symbols in the world.
Continue Reading
History & Culture
Bhutan’s National Bird: The Raven - Guardian Deity, Royal Crown & National Symbol
Bhutan’s national bird is not just a symbol — it sits on the royal crown and is believed to be a manifestation of the kingdom’s chief guardian deity. This guide covers the raven’s spiritual significance, natural history, and where to see them in Bhutan.
Continue Reading
History & Culture
Bhutan's National Flower: The Himalayan Blue Poppy
The Himalayan Blue Poppy grows above 3,500m, blooms for only a few weeks each year, and was considered mythical by Western botanists until 1933. This is Bhutan’s national flower — its name, science, symbolism, Buddhist significance, and exactly where to see it in the wild.
Continue Reading
History & Culture
Bhutan's National Animal: The TAKIN
The Takin looks, at first glance, like it was assembled from parts of other animals and left unfinished. It has the nose of a moose, the body of a large cow, the legs of a wildebeest, and a temperament that is described by most who encounter it as deeply indifferent. Children in Bhutan reliably describe it as 'built from the wrong pieces.' This is not inaccurate.
Continue Reading
History & Culture
Bhutan’s National Tree: The Himalayan Cypress
Bhutan’s national tree, the Himalayan Cypress, is more than botany. Known locally as Tsendhen, it appears in the first line of the national anthem, guards the gateways of the country’s most sacred monasteries, and carries origin legends tied to Guru Rinpoche himself. This is the complete guide to understanding why this one tree is inseparable from Bhutanese identity.
Continue Reading