Virtual journey to the Kingdom of Bhutan

• The virtual journey to the Kingdom of Bhutan

Service "Street View" from Google (Google Street View) allows us to see the panoramic views of streets of many cities in the world with a height of about 2.5 meters. You can take a virtual tour with all-round visibility in different parts of the world.

Today we will go to the place between India and China, in the Himalayas, where there is a small kingdom of Bhutan with a population of 700 thousand people.

Bhutan is often ranked as the happiest country in the world and the economy is not measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) and Gross National Happiness. As said, the 4th king of the country: "The happiness of the people is more important than per cent of gross domestic product."

Thus, the kingdom of Bhutan through the eyes of Google Street View cameras.

In this wonderful country are very strong tradition, and it is in no hurry to take the path of modern development. This Buddhist edge, purity and enlightenment. It is hard to imagine that the television and the Internet have appeared only in Bhutan in 1999 after the lifting of the ban.

Of course, the quality of images from Google Street View cameras mounted on cars and bikes, snowmobiles gives a professional SLR with road optics, but more interesting to wander around the country in this way.

Prayer flags at an altitude of 3988 meters.

The history of tourism in Bhutan began in 1974, before to enter the country was possible only at the personal invitation of the King or Queen. The country was open to foreigners, to show its unique culture and traditions around the world.

The valley near Wangdue Phodrang c - a city in central Bhutan. Since ancient times, the city of Wangdue Phodrang was the capital of the historical province of Wangdue Phodrang.

The old men in Bhutan, especially those who are already working hard to devote the rest of life visit the monasteries and holy places, prayers, and the rotation of the prayer wheel. Here they are in the picture.

In the country there are 19 mountain peaks exceeding 7000 meters mark. Bhutan is the highest point - Mount Kulagangri height of 7550 meters.

A road sign wishes us a happy journey.

Prayer flags on a pedestrian bridge.

In front of the waterfall can be seen.

Stupa on farmland near the administrative center trashiyangtse in Bhutan.

There are two versions of the name of the kingdom "Bhutan". On one of them it means "mountainous country", on the other - "Tibet Region".

The streets of the town of Paro.

Funny road sign on winding mountain roads, which can be translated as "Be considerate, gentle on my turns."

Wangdue Phodrang Dzong (fortress). Shabdrung built in 1638, is one of the largest and most beautiful dzongs of Bhutan, a huge courtyard which allows you to organize large Buddhist festivals (Tsechu) and official ceremonies.

In Bhutan is home to about 700,000 people, of which 80% - in rural areas. According to the official census, the population decreases.

House with a kind of graffiti, "I love you."

Roadside shrine.

The capital of Bhutan is Thimphu. It is located at an altitude of 2400 meters, and is home to just 90,000 people.

Buddha statue in the city of Thimphu.

The capital Thimphu. The average life expectancy in Bhutan is not amazing: men - 66 years for women - 66.3 years.

The surroundings of the monastery Gangteng Monastery. Local Valley - a unique piece of nature, is also famous for the rare black-necked cranes with which stop here.

Village houses.

households. If not ornateness building windows, one would think that this garden somewhere in Russia.

Bhutan's capital - the city of Thimphu.

A wooden bridge.

The town of Paro.

The road around trashiyangtse.

Happiness in Bhutan is the main asset of the kingdom. There are not going to double the GDP in 10 years. Just the government does not consider the Gross Domestic Product as a measure of economy. Instead of it there is Gross National Happiness. It is a measure of quality of life, which includes the moral and psychological values. This concept was introduced by the 4th king of the country in 1972, which said: "The happiness of the people is more important than per cent of gross domestic product."

"Gross National Happiness" of the country's economy is planned for 5 years, the progress is very slow steps, so as not to destroy the core values ​​- culture, family, nature, and the Buddhist religion