Things to know about visiting Bhutan

For travelers craving unspoiled nature, a less-crowded destination or an escape from life’s hustles, Bhutan is an ideal destination. Visiting the Land of the Thunder Dragon isn’t a simple or inexpensive trip to arrange, however, thanks to its remote location in the Himalayas.

Still, that complexity more than makes the effort worth it, as it adds to Bhutan’s charm. You won’t find giant shopping malls overrun with tourists, and you won’t encounter heaps of trash, either, as the country banned plastic bags back in 1999.

This way of life is intentional: The country prioritizes “Gross National Happiness” rather than gross domestic product. This means the Last Shangri-La (as it’s often called) limits how many tourists can visit annually — and it only opened to foreign tourists in 1974. Bhutan has strict rules in place to preserve its identity and its tranquility, so it can continue to…