At the eastern end of the Himalayas lies a once forbidden Kingdom - Bhutan! It is a country the size of Switzerland with 700,000 inhabitants who are 99% Buddhist. Hence all the temples, chortans, and dzongs (fortress monasteries). The King's father, the 4th King of Bhutan, abdicated in favor of his son about 4 years ago, and had declared Gross National Happiness was more important than GNP. It is now a democracy with the 5th King as figurehead. The Royal Family are loved and revered. Currently you can only enter by air with Druk Air, the government airline, although a private competitor has been recently approved. Tashi Airlines may be operating later this year. You must enter or leave via the airline, so if not flying in you enter by car from 3 points in India.
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