National Parks : Apart from the Jigme Dorje Wangchuck Sanctuary in the far north of the kingdom, all of the national parks are in the lower southern plains where fauna, in particular, is more abundant. The national parks are controlled under a development scheme operated by the World Wild Fund for Nature.

Many animals are protected under this scheme which developed later than in neighboring countries and enabled Bhutan to learn from other’s mistakes. Tourists are allowed to visit some of the national parks. They should advice their tour operator of this requirement at the time of booking so the necessary permits can be obtained.

Weaving : In the far east of Bhutan, it is not uncommon to come across teams of women seated on valley slopes with heavy lather belt strapped fast to their waists. The women will be having a wooden slat across recently dyed fabric; pursuing an age-old custom that creates the vivid patterns and colors that have become synonymous with Bhutanese design.

Fabrics are dyed and dried for a week before being woven into KHOS for men and KIRAS for women. These are the long flowing garments which have become the obligatory national dress of Bhutanese. Woven products are sold all over the far eat of Bhutan. Lengths of material hang from rafters making colorful displays. In Dohsum, near to Gom Kora, material hangs from almost every home and women sit on balconies in almost every village weaving. Despite its isolation the costs of material and labor have translated into high prices (in Western terms) for material. The weavers will bargain, a little, but do not be surprised if they do not budge from an average of US$ 25 for a length.

So unique are the Bhutanese weaving techniques that the United State’ Peabody Museum at Salem, Massachusetts, organized a world-wide exhibition solely on this subject.

Archery : Inter-village rivalry is common throughout the kingdom and this rivalry is on more fiercely expressed than during annual archery tournaments. They are generally held at Losar (Bhutanese New Year) but smaller competitions are held throughout the year. The revelry begins the right before the contest. Teams employ astrologers to assist in the selection process and to help cast spells on the opposition. Each team spends the night together in an age-old tradition of sleeping in the forest prior to the match. Apart from improving team sprite it is thought that a man should not spend the night before a tournament with his wife as his concentration may then waiver the following day. The tournament itself begins with initiation ceremonies and a traditional breakfast. Alcohol flows from early in the day and sprits are always high. As the day passes and the alcohol takes effect, the party becomes more and more raucous. Opponents whisper obscenities into their adversaries’ ears and dance a diversionary dance in front of the target. Women from each village participate in the fun by singing and jeering at the opposite team. Bhutan sent its first archery team to the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Golf : Thimphu is the unlikely location one of the highest golf courses in the world. Situated behind Tashichho Dzong and surrounded by mountains, the course is also thought as one of the most beautiful in the world.

During the dry winter the nine-hole course is typically very hard and barren but after the monsoon it softens up and turns green. The course may not be particularly challenging to Western golfers but it presents a lovely morning or afternoon’s respite after long days of driving.

Shopping : Few tourists mean Bhutan’s handicraft industry is quite small. However there are plenty of private shops in Thimphu selling masks, carpets, jewellery, Bhutanese wooden products and of course stamps. Bhutan has a world-wide reputation for being a philatelist’s paradise. Vibrant colors and vivid images typify Bhutanese stamps; a recent addition and a popular collector’s item is a series of stamps paying tribute to Walt Disney characters. Other issues include a commemorative stamp to the 1994 World Cup and a stamp to mark German Unification. Collection and First-Day Issues are on sale at the Central Post Office in Thimphu. This is well worth a visit even for non-philatelists. The Central Post Office in Thimphu sells collections mounted in Stamp Collector’s presents. Carpets can be bought in Tongsa and are cheaper then those in Thimphu. Bumthang honey is considered by connoisseurs to be excellent quality and can be bought all over the country. Other jams and comfitures are made in the Bumthang valley and also make original presents.

Many shops in Thimphu sell typical Bhutanese handicrafts and products. The widest selection can probably found at the Tourist Emporium on Thimphu’s main thoroughfare. Masks, fabrics, stamps, Thangkas (religious paintings), handicrafts and carpet are on sale. The store is one of the few to accept the American Express card. Bhutan has thriving liquor industry and tourists wanting a triple of Bhutan Mist or locally produced rum, whiskey or gin will not be disappointed.

A good place to buy religious paintings is the Thangka painting school in Thimphu where young students spend their days learning a craft that has been handed down from centuries of strict practice.

Paint film is available in Thimphu but it may be difficult to find slide film. Paint film can also be developed in the capital. The weekend market is held on Saturday and Sunday close to the river. The market is a good place to pick up masks and handicrafts at cheaper prices then the shops. It is also be best place to watch Thimphu’s residents chatting about the week in a relaxed atmosphere as they do their week’s grocery shopping.

Most of the independent shops and market vendor’s stock traditional Bhutanese handicrafts and many sell Indian jewellery.

Eco-tourism : Few countries in the world offer the environmental tourist quite such a feast of alternatives. Crystal Rivers where fishing is prohibited, Bhutan is defying is prohibited; Bhutan is defying the rest of the world in its attempts to keep clean.

The kingdom attempts to learn from both its neighbors and other countries how to prevent ecological and environmental catastrophes and so far this policy is playing off. Reforestation is strictly monitored by the Bhutanese government and the kingdom’s mountains are not, as a result, balding. Bhutanese towns do not suffer from land slides as a result of soil erosion due to logging.

Tourists can visit the Royal Society for the protection of Nature in Thimphu which is partially sponsored by the World Wide Fund for Nature and discover for themselves the great lengths to which of the country has gone and continues to go to protect its environment.