From my hometown, Itahari, the average road travel time to Kathmandu is almost equal to the travelling time to Bhutan's capital, Thimphu. A road trip I had always dreamt of finally came to fruition in the recent week. After securing an eight-day visa from June 9 to 16, I travelled to Bhutan's three largest cities—Thimphu, Phuntsholing and Paro—along with Bhutan's global poster destination, Tiger's Nest.
I also became a part of Bhutan's pioneering global tourism event—the Bhutan International Travel Mart (BITM), the first event of its kind in Bhutan's commercial tourism journey, which started 52 years ago. Having toured Bhutan's major towns and tourist treasures, I was impressed by seven 'E's of the Dragon Kingdom.
1. Environment
We were driving to the BITM venue, Zhichenkhar, along the bank of the blue-water river Thimphu Chhu. The river flowing through the city of 100,000 residents reminded me of the dirty streams and rivers flowing through Nepal's cities with similar populations. "How did Bhutan manage to have such a clean river in the capital city?" I asked, to which an Indian delegate replied, "Because of the smaller population."
Bhutanese guide Sangay Wangdi interrupted, "Even the river in Tokyo, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, is almost as clean as ours. It is not about population; it is all about policy and mindset."
He was right. Bhutan's river in its third-largest city, Paro, was also crystal clear. Article 5 of Bhutan's Constitution mentions the duties of citizens and the government to preserve the environment, with a mandatory 60 percent forest cover.
2. English Education
From roadside vegetable vendors to the random Gen Zs I talked to, all of them were fluent in English. They spoke at least four languages, including English, Dzongkha, Sharchop and Lhotshamkha, among others. Lhotshamkha is the Bhutanese synonym for the Nepali language.
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Most notably, unlike their other South Asian peers, Bhutanese English speakers do not have a distinct accent in their English. Education is free, and English is ubiquitous.
I read an English-language notice issued by The National Museum of Bhutan on June 1, 2026, urging locals "to discontinue doing business in and around the Museum campus causing disturbances." All city signboards have two major languages, with larger English letters and smaller Dzongkha letters.
From guide Palden Dhendup in Phuntsholing to Rema Resort owner Tshering Phuntsho in Paro and BITM organising member Duptho Rinzin in Thimphu, I was impressed by their superb spoken English in the tourism industry.
3. Exoticism
Being the only monarchy in South Asia and one of the very few countries with a Buddhist king, Bhutan's exoticism includes many natural attractions, such as the world's highest unclimbed mountain, Mt. Gangkar Puensum (7,570 metres).
According to the book The Green Mandala by Tashi Dorji, Bhutan has 18 mountains above 7,000 metres. Highlighting Bhutan's Himalayan exoticism, Dorji writes, "No detailed survey of the Bhutan Himalaya has been done."
4. Erotic Empathy
Erotic issues are seldom discussed in major public spaces, which is not the case in Bhutan. You can buy phallus lockets and see phalluses of various sizes displayed at homes, temples and shops.
In the book Bhutan, American professor and poet Ravi Shankar writes, "Blame Drukpa Kunley for the Land of the Thunder Dragon's obsession with the phallus. You can see them everywhere in this self-proclaimed happiest nation on earth."
Kamala Nepal, CEO of Bhutan's Alliance International Tours and Travels, told me, "People who are unable to have children come to worship the phallus at the monastery, and some of them are blessed with children."
5. Exchange Easiness
Bhutan has only three resident embassies—India, Kuwait and Bangladesh—in its capital, Thimphu. Bhutan's resident embassies abroad are located in half a dozen countries, including Australia, Thailand, India, Kuwait, Bangladesh and Belgium.
To lessen the burden of its limited diplomatic presence, Bhutan has pegged its currency, the Ngultrum, to the Indian rupee at par. Indian currency of all denominations is accepted in Bhutan, making transactions easier for travellers.
6. Energy
Besides the spiritual energy at Devi Panchayam Temple in Thimphu and Taktshang Monastery (widely known as Tiger's Nest) in the Paro Valley, one can also sense Bhutan's green energy through its hydropower projects and the growing presence of green vehicles.
China is absent in Bhutan's diplomacy. However, in the green energy economy, China's BYD showroom has already arrived in the heart of Thimphu. From Bhutan's first major Chhukha Hydropower Project to many ongoing projects, Bhutan generates a significant share of its national revenue through green energy.
7. Exodus Acceptance
The exodus of the working-age population is a headache for many developing nations in the Global South. Politicians and policymakers make lofty promises to bring them back from the Global North.
Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is an exception. Speaking about Bhutan's ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), the King publicly said, "Some ask whether GMC is being built to bring Bhutanese youth abroad back home. My answer is no. It is not about enticing them to return as in the past, when countries needed professionals to study abroad and come back. Today, knowledge and experience are gained everywhere."
The author is a Kathmandu-based Nepali journalist writing mostly on tourism, diplomacy, and the environment.
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