Unveil the Wonders of Bhutan

The Amo Chhu, a river flowing through Phuentsholing, the business hub of Bhutan, originates from the north in China and continues into West Bengal, India. Strolling by its banks, one might spot a group of Indians playing cricket on a dried-up portion of the riverbed, or small Bhutanese children playing in the water with homemade toy boats.

Established in 2015 to commemorate the 60Th birth anniversary of the fourth Druk Gyalpo, the Bhutan postal museum offers to take us through Bhutan’s development and progress over the ages with the help of audio-visual aids, anecdotes and artifacts. The museum comprises of five galleries each with a different theme.

The Black Mountains are a massive mountain range in central Bhutan with most of its area covered under the protection of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. There are no people living on the higher mountains but on the lower foothills of the Black Mountain, there are several Moenpa villages. Moenpas are considered as Bhutan's original inhabitants.

High up in the hills overlooking Thimphu, dawn light glints off the Buddha Dordenma's golden face as he gazes into the rising sun. Depicting Buddha at the moment of his enlightenment, sitting in bhumisparsha mudra with five fingers extended to touch the earth, the 51-metre (169-feet) tall statue is visible from across Bhutan's capital city.

On the eastern bank of the Chamkhar Chhu is Bumthang's uniquely picturesque "industrial zone." Along with workshops producing delicious cheese and jam you will find the one-room Bumthang Brewery, responsible for producing some of Bhutan's tastiest beer, Red Panda Weissbier.

On the banks of the Wang Chhu, near the picture-perfect Kundeyling Bazaam footbridge, stallholders weigh out shiny purple onions and bags of vivid green beans. Farmers sell tropical crops and temperate produce alike here in Thimphu's Centenary Farmers Market, with earth-dusted potatoes, pale green asparagus stems and locally-grown mushrooms heaped alongside piles of imported limes, mangoes and jackfruit. It's best to visit in mid-morning, when the market action is at its liveliest.

Thimphu's main traffic circle, where Norzin Lam intersects Chhoten Lam near Clock Tower Square, offers a fun, only-in-Bhutan peculiarity that takes only a moment to see. Bhutan by decree has no traffic lights, so this policeman, who directs automobile traffic from dawn to dusk with sweeping choreographed gestures, won't be replaced by technology anytime soon. But there may be less need for him when the south section of central Norzin Lam is converted to a pedestrian-only walkway. See him now while you can.

Perched atop a promontory with sweeping views of Thimphu Valley is Changangkha Lhakhang, a neighborhood temple that has served locals daily since its construction some 800 years ago. All day long until it closes at 5, parents approach the inner sanctum to ask the protector deity to bless their children, or to request auspicious names for their newborns from the four resident monks.

The astroturf of Thimphu's Changlimithang Stadium has been the scene of many of modern Bhutan's triumphs — from the huge National Day celebrations held each December to the country's 2015 World Cup qualifying matches against Sri Lanka, China, Hong Kong, Maldives and Qatar. Constructed in 1974, the stadium stands on the site of an 1885 victory for Ugyen Wangchuck, who later became Bhutan's first king.

Chelela Pass, the highest point on Bhutan’s Dantak roads, crests at 3988 meters (roughly 13,000 feet) above sea level. The bright yellow sign marking its location stands next to a traditional stone fireplace and stove, a Buddhist prayer wheel marked with a quote advocating kindness, and a small hut and seating area.

Situated between Trongsa and Bumthang, the uniquely beautiful Chendebji Chorten is a welcome sight as you near the heart of central Bhutan. Built in the style of Boudhanath Stupa of Nepal, this spectacular stupa is set up perfectly against the lush green surroundings and appears to ceremoniously observe everything in its vicinity. Chendebji Chorten is believed to stand on the meeting point of three ridges with that of the three edges of the sky. It is a popular lunch spot for tourists and locals with a restaurant situated a few meters away.

Built in 1499, Chimi Lhakhang is dedicated to the "Divine Madman," Drukpa Kunley, a sage revered in Bhutan for his unorthodox teachings and his use of a "flaming thunderbolt" to fight evil. While Chimi Lhakhang marks the spot where Drukpa Kunley defeated and buried a much-feared demoness, today the hilltop lhakhang is visited by expectant mothers and families with newborns to pray for their children's health. A blessing from the lhakhang's wooden phallus is also believed to help childless couples conceive; the number of Bhutanese children named Chimi may be testament to this method's success rate!