Welcome to Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom where happiness is more valuable than money
Bhutan is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to clean energy. Hidden underneath its mountains are massive tunnels and hydro-power turbines that utilize monsoon rains and melting snow from the Himalayas to power the nation.
The most common religion practiced here is Buddhism, and prayer flags can be seen throughout the country. "Their mindset is that every part of nature is holy in some way, so if they find a spot where the wind blows through a grove of trees in a lovely way, that's like a cathedral to them," Weir told Business Insider.
In the 1970s, Bhutan rejected the GDP as the only way to measure success, deciding to go with what they call Gross National Happiness instead. Jigme Singye Wangchuck, or "K4" as he is sometimes known, is the monarch who introduced the concept. Pictured here are workers preparing portraits of K4 and his son, current King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, for K4's 60th birthday.
"It is stunning to see how many people attribute their happiness to these two kings," Weir said. Pictured here are monks celebrating the king's 60th birthday, which was commemorated with events throughout the country in November.
The celebrations also included a music festival, where Weir told us that an ACDC cover band dressed in traditional Bhutanese clothing played "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)". According to Weir, the country has everything from rappers to pop bands influenced by musicians from all over the world.
Guides assist tourists with planning and executing their trip. Pictured here is tour guide Karma Lotey, dressed in the traditional Bhutanese gho. Both men and women wear traditional uniforms during business hours. Men wear the gho, while women wear the kira, a long dress.
The uniforms do not need to be worn on the weekends, which is why these boys can be seen here in regular clothing as they huddle together on a tree to catch a better view of the musical festival taking place at K4's birthday celebrations.
While traditional ways remain, the country is also "in the throes of a technological revolution", according to CNN. Television was not legalized in the country until 1999, but cell phones are becoming more and more common here.
Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, is one of the the most developed parts of the country. According to Weir, the only escalator in all of Bhutan is located in Thimphu, and it's something of a tourist attraction because of its rarity.
While hundred-year old monasteries are a common sight throughout Bhutan, one of the newer additions is the Buddha Dordenma Statue in Thimphu. At a height of 169 feet, it is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world, and has stunningly intricate murals along its interior walls.
One of Bhutan's most popular tourist attractions is the Dochula Pass, located on the road from Thimphu to Punakha. The landmarks around the mountain pass commemorate the Bhutanese soldiers killed in the 2003 war against Indian insurgents. The area is also known for its breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
Thimphu locals often go to the Memorial Chorten to pray. They walk around the temple in a clockwise direction while reciting prayers and whirling the large red prayer wheels.
Pictured here are yak butter lamps, which are made from the milk of yaks. According to Weir, yak is used for everything from clothing to food, and for preparing a tea that is commonly found throughout homes in Bhutan.
While traditional elements like these Dakinis, or angels of the Buddhist world, can be seen above the capital, the influx of technology continues. "These people have lived so simply for so long, cut off from the rest of the world, and now it's like they’re having their industrial and technological revolution happen at the same time," Weir said.
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