Bumthang district

Bumthang district is one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. It is situated in north-central part of the country, bordering with dystryktami Gasa and Trongsa from the west, Zhemgang district in the south, dystryktami Mongar and Lhunse from the east and directly from China to the north. This district is located on a fairly large Bumthang valley, which is divided into four smaller: Ura Valley, Tong, Choekhor and Chumey. Hence, its name – bum thang means beautiful valley.

Education

In the monasteries, young people learn to read Buddhist holy books, as well as learn about the mysteries of art painting, goldsmiths, learn to dance the national language and English. Virtually every family sends to the monastery at least one son at the age of six years. Education lasts 10 years, and the children live in arcytrudnych conditions: nieogrzewane rooms without running water and little food, consisting solely of rice. One form of monastic education is the punishment of flesh.In electrified cities operates a modern system of sanitary and school, where everything is free. The best students are sent to study in India, the United States, Italy and Japan. After the completion of their obligation to return to their country and enter przystosowawczy course in one of the monasteries, and then served for five years for the country.

Regions

Bhutan can be divided into three main regions are divided. These are Western Bhutan, Bhutan and Central Ostbhutan. Due to the geographic realities is a subdivision in the Duar level in the south, the Himalayan front in the middle and the high mountain region Lunana to the Chinese border also impractical.

Bumthang

Bumthang is one of the 20 dzongkhag (districts) comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted. Bumthang consists of the four mountain valleys of Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor (also known as Bumthang valley), although occasionally the entire district is referred to as Bumthang valley.

“Bumthang” directly translates as “beautiful field”. “Thang” means field or flat place, and “Bum” is said be an appreviation of either “bumpa” (a vessel for holy water, thus describing the shape and nature of the valley), or “bum” (“girl”, indicating this is the valley of beautiful girls).

Trongsa Dzong

This is the most impressive dzong (fort-monastery) in the kingdom, and can be seen from a great distance in its strategic position high above the Mangde Chhu. It is one of the most aesthetic and magnificent works of traditional Bhutanese architecture, a rambling collection of buildings trailing down the ridge. It has a succession of beautiful courtyards.

When to Go

The ideal time for trekking late-September to late-November when skies are generally clear and the high mountain peaks rise to a vivid blue sky. March-May is recognised as the second-best time to visit Bhutan for touring and trekking. Though there are more clouds and rain, the magnificent wildflowers are in bloom and birdlife is abundant. You’re likely to get wet no matter what the season, but avoid the monsoon, June-August, when an average of 0.5m (1.5ft) of rain buckets down in Thimphu and up to 1m (3ft) saturates the eastern hills.

Winter is a good time for touring in western Bhutan, bird watching in the subtropical jungles in the south, and white water rafting. The days are sunny and cool but it’s quite cold once the sun sets. From December to February the road from Thimphu to Bumthang and the east may be closed because of snow for several days at a time. It would be best not to plan to visit these regions at this time.

In recent years overcrowding has become an issue during the major tsechus (Buddhist festivals) at Thimphu and Paro, which coincide with the best seasons. You stand a much better chance of getting flights, accommodation and probably a more intimate and rewarding festival experience if you schedule your trip around one of the other cultural events.

Thimphu

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, and also the name of the surrounding valley and dzongkhag, the Thimphu District. With a population of 98,676 (2005 PHCB), it is the largest population centre in the country. Thimphu is located at 27°28′00″N, 89°38′30″ECoordinates: 27°28′00″N, 89°38′30″E, altitude of 2320m/7656ft.

Tashichoedzong, the fortress monastery on the northern edge of the city, built in the 17th century, has been the seat of Bhutan’s government since 1952.

The city sprawls across the western slopes of the Wang Chhu river valley, with a government quarter centred on Tashichoedzong. Rapid expansion following the pattern of rural exodus has resulted in considerable rebuilding in the city centre and mushrooming suburban development elsewhere. Norzin Lam, the recently upgraded main thoroughfare, is lined with shops, restaurants, retail arcades and public buildings. Elsewhere, there is a mix of apartment blocks, small family homes and family-owned stores. By regulation, all buildings are required to be designed in traditional style with Buddhist paintings and motifs. A lively weekend market near the river supplies meat, vegetables and tourist items. Most of the city’s limited light industry is located south of the main bridge. Thimphu has a growing number of commercial services and offices which provide for ever-growing local needs. The city is surrounded by forests which make the city look even greener. With on going construction for the 2008 celebrations of 100 years of Monarchy and Bhutan’s transition to Parliamentary Democracy, more and more construction is seen throughout Thimphu.

Dechenphu, Tango and Cheri monasteries, and Dechenchoeling Palace, the official residence of the King, are located to the north of the city.

The Kingdom of Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked nation in South Asia. It is located amidst the eastern end of the Himalaya Mountains and is bordered to the south, east and west by India and to the north by Tibet. Bhutan is separated from Nepal by the Indian state of Sikkim. The Bhutanese call their country Druk Yul (land of the thunder dragon).^[1]

Bhutan is one of the most isolated and least developed nations in the world.^{[citation needed]} Foreign influences and tourism are regulated by the government to preserve the nation’s traditional culture, identity and the environment. The landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the Himalayan heights in the north, with some peaks exceeding 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism, and the population is predominantly Buddhist, with Hinduism being the second-largest religion. The capital and largest city is Thimphu. After centuries of direct monarchic rule, in March 2008, Bhutan held its first democratic elections. Bhutan is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).