Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon

Last week we wrapped up 13 magical days in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Bhutan is somewhere I've dreamt of visiting for many years, drawn to its reputation as a carbon-negative, forest-covered, Buddhist country steeped in mysticism that has long been closed off to much of the world. For years, I thought it would remain one of those places I’d admire from afar—just too remote to get to.

But being on sabbatical in Asia changed all that! With the region already (relatively) within reach, I realized this might be my window—and I’m so glad we took it and explored this incredibly unique place. As remote and protected as anywhere in the world, Bhutan remained largely closed off to the outside world from the 18th to the mid-20th century, intentionally preserving its culture and traditions. Bhutan only cautiously opened its doors to tourism in 1974, and I was surprised to learn that there was no national post service until 1962 and no national currency until 1974 when modernization efforts began. And this sense of stepping back in time is palpable.

Because Bhutan has only one international airport that flies to a select few countries in Asia, we made a short 3-day stop in Bangkok first for some temple visits and some absolutely life-changing pad thai. From there, the commute to Bhutan is surprisingly simple: a direct 3-hour flight from Bangkok to Paro.

What’s wild is how much changes in those three hours! We left behind Bangkok’s tropical, sea-level vibes—95 degrees, palm trees, 80% humidity, and 11 million people—and landed at 7,000 feet above sea level surrounded by snow-dusted peaks and a quaint population of only 45,000.

Landing at Paro Airport in Bhutan is famously one of the most challenging landings in the world. Surrounded by steep Himalayan peaks of 18,000+ feet, it’s not only Bhutan’s sole international airport—it’s also one of the few places in the entire country where a commercial jet can land. The approach requires a manual landing through narrow mountain valleys. Only a handful of specially trained pilots are certified to fly this route, guiding the jet in a dramatic descent. The Bhutanese airlines do a fantastic job of calming nerves, playing serene flute music through the cabin while the plane winds and dips through the valley for its final approach.

Thinking back on our time in Bhutan, two central themes stand out:

Mysticism & storytelling: Bhutan gets its nickname "Land of the Thunder Dragon" (or "Druk Yul” in Bhutan’s national language Dzongkha), from its powerful and dramatic thunderstorms that frequently echo through its valleys. These thunderstorms were believed by early inhabitants to be the roars of mythical dragons, and after experiencing what seems like countless thunderstorms and hail during our time here, we can understand why. Even today this name feels like it perfectly captures the raw and untamed beauty and spiritual energy of Bhutan.

Storytelling also wove its way into nearly every place we visited—whether it was the legend of the Divine Madman at the Temple of Fertility (a story for another time), the tale of the cat, the cow, the dog and the taxi, or another mythical fable— everywhere we went, a story seemed to be waiting to explain, enchant, or simply make us laugh in disbelief.

Buddhist values in daily life: Bhutan is one of the most peaceful places I've ever visited. There is a serenity in the land, the mountains and the demeanor of the people that is hard to come by in other parts of the world. There's also a pervasive spirit of generosity and intentionality at the heart of Bhutanese culture. We experienced countless small acts of kindness offered freely, without any expectation of reciprocation. Landing, we were greeted with apples. Walking through the market, we were gifted bananas. This pure and unadulterated form of giving without any expected return but rather because it is the right and natural thing to do, has been deeply inspiring. Whether it's the warm smiles and unwavering hospitality of the people, the deep reverence for the pristine environment, or the harmonious coexistence with the animals that roam freely, there's a palpable sense of interconnectedness and shared responsibility.

Conversations with Buddhist monks further illuminated the profound influence of Buddhism on Bhutanese society. The core tenets of compassion and tolerance are not just philosophical ideals here. They are actively practiced and deeply ingrained in Bhutan’s cultural fabric. When a neighbor embarks on building a home, the entire village willingly comes together, offering their time, skills, and resources without payment or thought of personal reward. This communal desire to support one another paints a vivid picture of a society deeply rooted in empathy and mutual aid, reflecting the Buddhist emphasis on unity.

While there are countless amazing moments from Bhutan, a few highlights include:

• Our 4-day horse trek on the Druk Path. Our team of 6 horses and 6 humans set out from Paro and hiked ~40 miles through the foothills of the Himalayas and across two alpine lakes to Thimphu, stopping at two monasteries along the way and only encountering one other set of hikers and a few nomadic yak herders along our path.

• Staying overnight at Dodeydrak Monastery, reachable only by a 2-hour hike, located at 10,000 feet and home to over 100 monks. We participated in morning prayers and watched the monks perform their daily rituals—a truly extraordinary experience.

• Sitting for tea with a monk and having the opportunity to chat with him about his experiences, Buddhism, and the values of compassion, tolerance and acceptance.

• Walking the rural rice paddies, crossing the swinging bridges, and enjoying the wildlife and blooming jacaranda trees in Punakha, a low valley in Bhutan at the confluence of two spiritually significant rivers.

• Eating an absolutely delicious, homemade meal in a family farmhouse in the Gangtey Valley, overlooking the black-necked crane brooding grounds—a serene wetland habitat where these endangered birds gather and rest each winter.

• Our guide shared ancient Bhutanese folktales passed down orally through generations—often starring clever animals like the cow, dog, and cat. Rich with humor, wisdom, and imagination, these stories offered a beautiful window into the country’s values and the deep role storytelling continues to play in Bhutanese culture.

Our time here has flown by faster than any other 13 days we can remember. When I mentioned being saddened to leave, our guide Passang responded ever so calmly and patiently, “Ah, but that is life.” This Buddhist philosophy of acceptance is one he’s been working to cultivate his entire life. These four words stopped me in my tracks for the amount of simple wisdom they held.

A week after our time in Bhutan, Jason and I have found ourselves reflecting together on how we can integrate this inspiring ethos of deeper compassion + tolerance + acceptance into our own lives back home. In our personal relationships, we aspire to be conscious of offering support and kindness without expectation of return. Professionally, we aim to cultivate collaborative and giving environments, where the emphasis is on shared success and mutual growth, inspired by the community spirit we witnessed in a nation that carefully navigated its entry into the modern world…

And for now, because it's too difficult to say goodbye to such a special place, we'll just say "until next time."