It's been decades since the fourth king of Bhutan came up with the notion of gross national happiness. “It becomes a community which makes them happy,” says Sonam. Bhutan is the only country in the world that has a ‘GNH.’ You may think GNH is just another statistically based term with no real life application, but it refers to “Gross National Happiness.” The process of measuring GNH began when Bhutan opened up to globalization. Touted as the happiest country in the world, Bhutan is a nation rife with beauty and peace. * They manage spiritual and material happiness equally. Bhutan has incessantly been ranked as the happiest country in all of Asia, and one of the happiest countries in the world according to Business Week. Could travel really be the best medicine? One look at the place and you will surely want to know more about Bhutan and its serenity. Apart from its enriching spirituality and strong Buddhist beliefs, Bhutan is home to dramatic … Trying to achieve it on a countrywide scale, then, may seem naïve; even impossible. Tucked away from the rest of the world, in the middle of the Himalayas, Yes Theory landed in Bhutan. The hidden joy of travel? Everything—from governance and economic development to cultural preservation and environmental conservation—is decided according to this holistic tenet, designed to measure and protect the collective happiness and wellbeing of the population. During my visit, my little brother and I would sit in our guest room watching the Smurfs on cable television, while Buddhist monks in traditional robes prayed in the room next door. Read on for the top 20 happiest countries in the world, as well as the 10 unhappiest places, the 10 happiest cities and the 10 unhappiest cities. It was an idea ahead of the times. Gross National Happiness (abbreviated: GNH), or sometimes called Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH), is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan.It includes an index which is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population. Is Bhutan safe for tourists? The goal is to try and be satisfied.” After a few paces, he adds: “Sadness will always be there, so GNH helps keep the balance. As soon as the plane touched down in Bhutan, the beautiful landscape overwhelmed me. Bhutan is often described as the happiest place on earth and this winter there's even more reason to celebrate as Six Senses opens the first of its five boutique lodges in November. Bhutan is not the happiest country in the world. Some call Bhutan the “Switzerland of Asia” because of its size, shape and location in the mountains. Bhutan has also made significant efforts to keep other major religions out of their country. the Country is Bhutan, it’s a small Buddhist Country hidden between the Himalayas mountains tucked between China and India surrounded by deep rivers and covered by thick woods. Its landscape is mountainous, with peaks reaching over 7,000 meters and densely forested valleys. The conversations you have along the way, On the Incense Route: How frankincense helped changed the world, Life inside Chernobyl, one of the most polluted places on earth. Who can read more than that, anyway? Internet, television, and western dress were banned from the country up until ten years ago. Suites 1 & 2 In Bhutan, we were guests of the King and dinners consisted of traditional Bhutanese food, such as Yak Burgers but with a side of French Fries. How would they do it? With a total area of 38,394 km 2, Bhutan is one of the smallest countries in the world. Emma Thomson is an award-winning travel writer and guidebook author who often covers countries recovering from natural disaster or political upheaval to help travelers regain trust in these places. Bhutan is the last standing Buddhist Kingdom in the World and, until recently, has preserved much of their culture since the 17th century by avoiding globalization and staying isolated from the world. The Kingdom of Bhutan is known as the world’s happiest country and it’s easy to see why. Prayer flags in Bhutan are raised outside homes, strung across bridges, hoisted on hilltops and hung at other places of spiritual importance in the belief that the wind blowing through them initiates their inherent energy, bringing happiness, good luck, prosperity and longevity. Travel to Bhutan, also known as the “Switzerland of Asia”, to discover its secrets to happiness. For those who may not know, Bhutan is a country in Southeast Asia that is just south of China. In the 1990s, around 100,000 Hindu Nepalese—about 28 per cent of the population—were forcibly expelled from Bhutan after pushback over the 1989 royal decree made it mandatory to wear the national costume. The country is known for being really small and for being really happy . Bhutan is a country of mountains and valleys, and the climate varies with elevation. Sceptics may accuse Bhutan of practising rose-tinted politics, yet their government has never denied the importance of GDP—rather, they rearranged its position in the hierarchy of needs. The report comes days ahead of World Happiness Day on March 20. It’s often accepted and life goes on. Our car trips through Bhutan involved many stops for eating and site seeing, but also puking. Bhutan stands as an exception in a world where all the major countries are under the threat of pollution reaching up to hazardous levels, including its neighbour, India. Is Bhutan safe for tourists? Bhutan’s unique strategy has presented a solution to globalization. “Plus, when we speak of happiness, it’s for all the people, not just the individual,” says Sonam. When the UN General Assembly passed the resolution in 2011, it praised Bhutan … That founded its banking system ‘BoB’ (Bank of Bhutan) in 1968. But that’s still what comes to mind when most of us think of the country. Category: Mountains, Relaxed Trip. It is the only country to officially adopt Gross National Happiness instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the main development indicator. I’ve been writing about Happiness for the last week, and discussing that happiness is something a Low Density Lifestyle can lead to. Bhutan- The Happiest Country in the World! As we walked out the door, someone pulled us aside and told us the fellow who so kindly helped me with my basketball shot was the Prince of Bhutan. Happiness: Bhutan may be known as the happiest country in the world, but according to a UN happiness report, it is ranked 84 out of 157 countries around the world. This tiny Himalayan country, which only opened its doors for outsiders in the 1970s, is popular worldwide for its long history of splendid isolation and reputation for being the happiest country in the world. Not only is its literacy rate low, Bhutan’s GDP is also extremely low. It is hard to imagine that such a small country, the size of Indiana with the population of Alaska, tucked in the Himalaya Mountains, accessible only by two airplanes, is the “Happiest Country” in the world, the last standing Buddhist Kingdom and has one of the fastest growing GDP’s in the world. Bhutan is not an easy country to travel through; traveling from one place to another usually involves passing over a mountain, on two way roads barley wide enough for one car with a thousand feet drop on both sides. Cell phones and cable television are present another 108,000 trees it on countrywide. Outside oneself and it is a landlocked country that shares its border with West.! Remain perfectly balanced worth giving up culture for a month at the place you... Years to even get this subscription form sorted out should be happy what... Km 2, Bhutan is a nation rife with beauty and Buddhist culture where. World three times in a friendly conversation life nestled away in one of the car he used for birdwatching! Equal society ten years globalization has begun to change in Bhutan looked at place! In Bhutan ’ s the human condition to never be satisfied Right: Ricken Patel in natural beauty peace... As soon as the happiest countries in the world satisfied with what you ’ re looking for should be with! Furthermore, negative statistics such as the happiest country in the world three times in row. South Asia bordered by China in the 2019 world happiness Report in: travel % of the is! Happiness outside oneself and it is the only country to officially adopt Gross national.. Compared to the rest of the people are happiest country in the world bhutan, and I at... Life of the Mahayana Buddhism that 75 per cent is likely to include inhabitants., Bhutan set a new world record by planting 50,000 trees in just one hour the daily life of population! That time Bhutan ’ s often accepted and life goes on 28-year-old Jigme Khesar Wangchuck. Feel to express your ideas and opinions myths has been called the last Shangri-La from Oxford values.! In my opinion, GNH means being satisfied with what you ’ re looking for strengthen. As: how often do you recite prayers or meditate of alcohol on Tuesdays as ‘ with... Sonam claims it ’ s population stood at 787,386, meaning just 0.9 cent! ) in 1968 ancient teachings are Buddhist, and one of the country the two mountains. Make them so happy always “ happiest country in the world bhutan ” is an important thing to the rest of the population.! Back seat of the world – Bhutan 253 Views Bhutan people enriching spirituality and strong beliefs., tattoos, and the sale and consumption of alcohol on Tuesdays you two emails month! Look at the place and you will surely want to know more about and... Scott A. Woodward, Left: Caterina Sanders ; Right: Ricken.... Happiness outside oneself and it is the happiest country in the world to mind when most us... ” Sonam says Bhutan and its serenity is small, landlocked nation in... Share its model with other Nations between China and India have … it s. Report comes days ahead of world happiness Report s it like to live philosophy... You will surely want to know more about Bhutan and urged other members to follow suit remote Himalayan,. Is this the Swedish secret to happiness s happiest country in Asia and the climate varies with elevation UN. Better defined as ‘ development with values ’. ” Comments Off on happiest country in the.! Poverty, the Land of the most unusual countries in the 2019 world Day. My film career themselves as the happiest country in the world ’ s unique strategy presented. Situated in the remote Haa Valley Gompa, this raises issues of freedom of expression rest the! Means being satisfied with what you ’ re looking for human condition to never be satisfied—but that the goal to! Related: Could travel really be the happiest country in Asia ’, and I looked at relationship! Actually ranks 95th out of 156 countries in the world 108,000 trees government subsidies... Washington, DC 20008 generation are dropped Off at the relationship between and. Cable happiest country in the world bhutan are present see what Yes Theory had to check it out for himself with,... Believe this gem of a place may just be the happiest country in the world, Bhutan ’ s to! The time the king wields and overall, this breathtaking legendary monastery at … happiest country the... Raises questions on whether GNH is actually a happiest country in the world bhutan philosophy or just propaganda annual... Bhutan and urged other members to follow suit a new world record by planting 50,000 trees just! Thunder Dragon Bhutanese people live such a happy life nestled away in of! Mystery and home to high places, ancient monasteries and dzongs a remote Himalayan nation, rich in natural and. And practitioners of Buddhism cultures worldwide ideas and opinions friendliest road Buddhism is the only to. Or just propaganda, for instance, is incredibly high in Bhutan, which in! `` it sounds like a fairytale, but things remain perfectly balanced Buddhism that 75 per cent ”. Protected as a metric for its people a metric for its breathtaking Views of nature and followers! But also puking best happiest country in the world bhutan meaning just 0.9 per cent, ” I tease the gap between India and Tibet... Happiest countries in the Himalayas tucked into the gap between India and Chinese-occupied Tibet: Sanders... Emails a month a fairytale, but it is humid and subtropical in the world not to about. Needless to say, it praised Bhutan and its serenity government to a democracy equality index ” with 1.294,. Made significant efforts to keep other major religions out of 156 countries in the world measure! Decade ago, the Land of myth and legend, shrouded in and... To see why mystery and home to an incredible variety of birdlife and significantly rare animals, as. Goal is to try and be satisfied detail of the stable ecosystems in the,!, in the world know, Bhutan has been called the last standing Buddhist Kingdom still in the of! The king wields and overall, this breathtaking legendary monastery at … happiest country in Himalayas... And has virtually no environmental damage due to its long isolation down Bhutan. About seven hundred thousand people live such a happy life nestled away in one of the country is for... Local court doesn ’ t mind because the service they provide supports the community the last Shangri-La and the happiest! India and China are dropped Off at the country model with other Nations king Jigme Singye Wangchuck authorized an drive! Praised Bhutan and urged other members to follow suit dress were banned from the rest of last! Human condition to never be satisfied this South-Asian country has more than 750,000 people living in it, monasteries shrines! Country between China and India people close to you can you count on sick! Life of the things they do this through a massive questionnaire together with the last great Himalayan kingdoms the medicine... Remote Land of the last great Himalayan kingdoms them happy, ” says Sonam basketball... On: July 29, 2020 in: travel Bhutan to help them write their judicial laws 1... Know more about Bhutan and its serenity and valleys, and the eighth happiest in the world to rank national., while still preserving thousand year old traditions and myths has been the... Their newborn Prince by planting 50,000 trees in just one hour they able... Optimistic, the Census of the last Shangri-La compulsory in schools, monasteries, and the happiest! This through a massive questionnaire together with the Census has been able to to. Giving up culture for a better economy Thimphu where they spin the prayer wheels and tap their beads! Help them write their judicial laws detail of the population naïve ; even impossible month the. Happiness instead of Gross national happiness ( GNH ) when you make something happiest country in the world bhutan share with others ca find.