Bumthang Valley: A 21st Century Shangri-La

The Kingdom of Bhutan, one of the smallest kingdoms on earth, lies cradled in the very heart of Himalayas. This isolated country that borders Tibet on the north and India on the south is the last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom. Bhutan or "The Land of the Thunder Dragon" is a country of sprawling forests, venerated monasteries, overpowering fortresses, lush green valleys fed by bountiful rivers and age-old practices. It is also the only country which recognizes Buddhism as it's official religion. Bhutan is often identified as the last surviving refuge of traditional Himalayan Buddhist culture. Bhutan opened its door to tourism only in 1974 and right from the start Bhutan regulated the flow of tourists to the country by introducing high tariff in order to preserve its rich cultural heritage, unique national identity and pristine environment. Bhutan cultural tours and travels offer plenty of opportunities to go through the unique aspects of age-old culture and tradition that the people proudly practice over the centuries. nnIf Bhutan is a magical place, then the beautiful Bumthang valley is surely "Shangri-la". Its four high valleys are covered in forests that embrace small monasteries, chortens, traditional stone houses and markets. The exotic experience of Bhutanese rural culture is Bumthang valley and its rural life.nnThe Bumthang Valley lies at an altitude of 2600 meters. This valley is the religious heartland of Bhutan and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples. The Bumthang Dzongkhag comprises four valleys, although commonly the whole region is called the "Bumthang valley". The valley is cold, high and windswept. Bumthang offers the best opportunity to visit temples and monasteries hardly touched by the passage of time. The Bumthang Valley, apart from its spectacular natural beauty, is noted for its many Dzongpas or temple complexes and palaces.nnBumthang valley has a number of ancient temples and sacred sites. “ Bumthang" literally translates as "beautiful field". "Thang" means field or flat place, and "Bum" is said be an abbreviation of "bumpa" (a vessel for holy water, thus describing the shape and nature of the valley). The stunning emerald green river that runs through the valley on its way from the mountains in the north to India in the south is just one of the splendors to be seen. The foot bridge that crosses the river is strewn with the most colorful prayer flags that are found throughout the country as a sign of the deep devotion that the people of Bhutan have for their Buddhist traditions.nnnTourist Attractions in Bumthang: nnJambey Lhakhang: - Built in the 7th century by a Tibetan King Songten Gempo. This temple is one of the 108 temples built by him to subdue a large demon, which was stopping the spread of Buddhism.nnKurje Lhakhang: - Located above Jambey Lhakhang and consists of three temples. One on the right was built in 1652 on the rock face where the Guru meditated in the 8th century. Second temple is built on the site of a cave and is not visible as it is concealed by a large statue of the Guru Rinpoche. The third temple was recently built by the present Royal Queen mother. These three temples are surrounded by 108 stupa wall symbolic of each joint of the Human body.nnTamshing Lhakhang: - Located across the river from Kurje Lhakhang, this temple was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, a re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. There are very old religious paintings around the inner walls of the temple, which was restored at the end of the 19th century.nnJakar Dzong: - Constructed in 1549 by the great grandfather of the first Shabdrung, the dzong was initially built as a monastery. It was upgraded in 1646, after the Shabdrung had firmly established his power. Jakar Dzong is now used as the administrative center for Bumthang valley and also houses the regional monk body.