| Bhutan--the Land of Thunderbolts--is a Himalyan | | | | other things, it has a good collection of old and |
| Kingdom. Thimpu, its capital, is a magnificent place | | | | expensive stamps that appeal the stamp collectors a |
| and one of the most attractive destinations in Asia. It | | | | great deal. |
| sprawls across the western slopes of the Wang | | | | Dechencholing is another attraction of Thimpu that's |
| Chhu River Valley. Thimpu that has unspoiled natural | | | | worth visiting. It has the three-storied royal palace |
| beauty is surrounded with forests that make the | | | | where members of the royalty, excluding the king, |
| place look greener and more beautiful. | | | | reside. It's is an amazingly beautiful building situated |
| Though the entire capital is a big tourist attraction | | | | amidst stunning lawns, ponds and willow trees. The |
| with several galleries, museums and places of | | | | Tangu Cherry Monastery is yet another landmark of |
| historical interest, there are some attractions that | | | | the place. Then, there is the famous Thimpu market |
| must not be missed while on a visit to the Capital. To | | | | from where one can buy beautiful shawls, handicrafts |
| begin with, there is the Tashichhodzong, called 'the | | | | and decorated prayer wheels at affordable prices to |
| Fortress of the Glorious Religion'. The pink roofed | | | | take back home as souvenirs. |
| fortress--which is also the seat of government--is a | | | | And oh, did I mention that Thimpu is the only national |
| striking landmark that much attracts the visitors to | | | | capital in Asia which does not have traffic lights? Yes, |
| the place. | | | | it is true! This is not because the government lacks |
| Then there is the National Library. The National | | | | the technology or the expertise but because the |
| Library has the best collection of religious and | | | | government of the Himalayan Kingdom is fiercely |
| historical literature in the Himalayas. It also has a copy | | | | determined to retain the pristine natural beauty of |
| of the largest published book in the world. National | | | | the place. |
| Museum is yet another place worth visiting. Among | | | | |