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Bhutan.
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Travelling to Bhutan: what to know before you go

Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom between India and China, with forested valleys, high passes and fortress-monasteries called dzongs. Buddhism shapes daily life, and the country measures progress by Gross National Happiness as well as by economic growth. Tourism is carefully managed, which suits travellers who want culture, trekking and quiet rather than crowds.

Where to go

• Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest). A monastery clinging to a cliff about 900 metres above the Paro valley, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated.
• Punakha Dzong. A seventeenth-century fortress-monastery at the meeting point of two rivers, with whitewashed walls and carved wooden balconies.
• Thimphu. One of the few capital cities without traffic lights.
• Dochula Pass. A mountain pass on the road between Thimphu and Punakha, crowned by 108 memorial chortens.

Best time to visit

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons, with clear skies, mild temperatures and the main tsechu festivals, including Paro in spring and Thimphu in autumn. Rhododendrons flower in spring.

Staying online in Bhutan

Mobile coverage with 4G is good in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and most towns along the main east-west highway. It becomes patchy in deep valleys, on high passes and is absent on most trekking routes. Wi-Fi is available in most tourist hotels, though speeds vary. Download offline maps before setting out, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.