Bhutan . All of our advertising is certified by Google and therefore may be viewed safely. Bhutan Land of the Thunder Dragon, the Last Shangri-La by Steve Evans Hidden deep in the folds of the Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan kept the world out for centuries until very recently. When it did open its doors in 1961, this country of less than a million people revealed to the world its rich culture and traditions, pristine environment, and deep spirituality. As recently as 1960 there were no roads in Bhutan and all travel had to be done on foot or by horseback. A Buddhist kingdom, Bhutan was founded in the eighth century A.D. as Druk Yul - Land of the Thunder Dragon. According to legend, in the year 747 a guru from Tibet flew to Bhutan on the back of a tiger and established the Tantric school of Buddhism that is still followed today. Now Bhutan is frequently referred to as the last Shangri-La. From some of the world's highest mountain glaciers to tropical forests at sea level, Bhutan’s crystalline rivers rush through the country’s lush valleys, only to be broken by waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs. The country is a nature lover’s paradise and a haven for environmentalists. The fortress-like dzongs, with their gently sloping walls, classic lines, large courtyards, and beautiful galleries, are among the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Containing large monasteries and set in commanding positions on hilltops or at the confluence of rivers, dzongs are also the administrative centers of Bhutan’s districts. The majority of tourists come to Bhutan to visit its monasteries and temples and to observe their colorful  festivals. The most popular feature of Bhutan’s festivals is the centuries-old masked dance of the drums. Two  years ago this sacred dance was proclaimed a “masterpiece of the cultural heritage of humanity” by UNESCO.   School uniforms for children in Bhutan reflect the national dress - "kira" for girls and "gho" for boys. Even the youngest of children proudly wear the national dress - here, a "gho" for this young boy looking out the window. Two Buddhist monks play a clarinet-type musical instrument during religious ceremonies at an important gathering of political and religious leaders. A monk at Bhutan's Tango monastery tries blowing bubbles for the first time. His fellow monks laughingly referred to them as "prayer bubbles." The masked dancer of Bhutan's famous religious ceremonies wear flowing, colourful costumes, and take on the roles of wrathful and compassionate deities, heroes, demons, the dead, and animals. A local shopkeeper in the capital city of Thimphu watches over his wares for sale on one of the town's main streets. Like is difficult in many parts of Bhutan, a rural nation, as seen by this woman who lives in the central part of the country. A Buddhist devotee walks around carrying a prayer wheel as she spins her prayers up to heaven. The Paro dzong (the administrative and religious center of the town named Paro) can be seen through the fluttering flags of the wooden bridge leading to the ancient fortress-like structure. A shopkeeper in the town of Paro patiently waits for customers. A combination of cooked chilies and cheese is Bhutan's national dish. Crowds gather in the nation's capital Thimphu to celebrate the king's birthday while Buddhist prayer flags flutter overhead. A Buddhist devotee has committed the rest of his life to be that of a "holy" man, offerings prayers to the deities of his religion. Wooden bridges over pristine rivers abound in Bhutan. They are commonly adorned with Buddhist prayer flags so the breezes may carry the prayers printed on the flags to heaven. Three children play in the Wang Chuu or Thimphu Chuu River, which flows through Bhutan's capital city of Thimphu. A monk at the Punakha dzong (the second most important administrative and monastic center in Bhutan) reflects on life's perplexities. Two Buddhist monks take time to observe the home of their monastic order, the Punankha dzong, situated at the confluence of two rivers: to Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. Residents of a small village in Bhutan watch a community religious festival from the window of their home.