History & Culture

Every Region in Bhutan Has Its Own Alcohol—And Everyone Swears Theirs Is the Best

No Traffic Light in the entire country of Bhutan

Many travelers are surprised to learn that Bhutan has no traffic lights anywhere in the country. Despite growing towns and increasing numbers of vehicles, traffic continues to be managed by trained police officers rather than automated signals. This unique approach reflects Bhutan's commitment to preserving its cultural identity, human connection, and carefully balanced development. Here's the true story behind one of the world's most fascinating transportation facts.

The Beggar and the Treasure Revealer - A Story from the life of Drukpa Kunley

Pema Lingpa was on a high throne in the Bumthang marketplace, teaching views and meditation. Drukpa Kunley gathered a troupe of children on a nearby boulder and began mimicking him. Pema Lingpa called him a beggar. Drukpa Kunley sang back.

The Nuns Who Blamed Drukpa Kunley for Everything - A Story from the life of Drukpa Kunley

One nun had named him the father and been forgiven by the abbot. Seven others decided this was the obvious strategy and went looking for Drukpa Kunley. Nine months later, the whole of Tibet was talking about Ralung's nunnery.

The Night He Dragged a Demoness from Dochula to Lobesa - A Story from the life of Drukpa Kunley

He sent the boy home by having him lie on his lap and think about his house. Then he tethered the bull to a tree, climbed into the branches, and waited for midnight. That's when everything changed for the area of Lobesa...

If You Persist, Even Your Mother Relents - A Story from the life of Drukpa Kunley

His mother wanted him to settle down, find a wife, and be a proper son. He listened patiently, smiled, walked to the marketplace, and came back carrying a hundred-year-old woman on his back.

The Man Who Created the Takin - A Story from the life of Drukpa Kunley

The devotees had heard the stories but never witnessed anything themselves. They asked him to perform a miracle. He agreed — then sat down in front of a whole goat and an entire bull and rubbed his palms with relish.

Why Is Bhutan Called Bhutan? The History Behind Bhutan's Name and Other Historic Names

Why is Bhutan called Bhutan? Explore the fascinating history behind the country's name, from ancient Sanskrit origins to the traditional Bhutanese name Druk Yul, and discover how the Kingdom of Bhutan came to be known by the world today.

The Arrow That Found Bhutan - A Story from the life of Drukpa Kunley

On a crisp winter morning in Tibet, a lama nocked an arrow, pointed it south, and released it toward a country he had never visited. The arrow crossed the Himalayas alone. Everything else followed.

Drukpa Kunley - The Divine Madman

He drank, seduced, and subdued demons with his "Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom." Drukpa Kunley is the 15th-century Buddhist master who shaped Bhutan's culture more than any other — and he did it by breaking every rule.