Bhutan is often referred to as the last Shangri La. Rooted deeply in religion and medieval tradition; it’s a place that steadfastly holds onto its unique culture and refuses to submit to the modern world.

It’s hard to go wrong with sightseeing in Bhutan—if the amazing architecture doesn’t do you in, then the views certainly will. Here are five gems to see during your time here: 

Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)

tigers-nest-2
tigers-nest-1

Perched on a cliff, this monastery is considered one of the most important pilgrimages in the Buddhism world and definitely the most famous site in Bhutan. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, apparently flew to Taktsang on the back of a tigeress to defeat five demons. If you can’t make the somewhat strenuous hike, you can rent a mule to bring you up. When you’re up to the top, there are prayer flags absolutely everywhere and the area is shrouded by mist. Magical.

Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong)

paro-dzong
paro-dzong-2
paro-dzong-3

Known as the “fortress that sits on a heap of jewels, ” it one of the first stops I made while with my guide from the best tour company in Bhutan, Bhutan Life Exposure,  as it’s on the way to Tiger’s Nest. The dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. It’s considered a great example of Bhutanese architecture, with its almost unimaginably tall inward sloping walls and intricately designed courtyards.  What makes this place is the setting—it’s perched in the hills and offers lovely views of the mountains, river, and Paro Valley.

Trongsa Dzong

I know, at this point you begin to think, not another dzong! But don’t miss this one. The largest dzong in Bhutan, it’s one of the most impressive and feels the most classic. It has many interesting architectural details and general old-world charm. It sits on a wild rocky area overlooking a vast gorge. The dzong is sprawling, full of winding corridors and passageways. There are apparently 25 temples scattered around the complex. Like many dzongs, it’s half used for government administrative purposes and the other half is a monastery.

Dochula Pass

dochula-pass
dochula-pass-2

The most famous pass in Bhutan, Dochula Pass connects Thimphu to central Bhutan. It’s an easy trek up to the summit where 108 stupas (dome-shaped Buddhist monuments) sit at the top of the pass to commemorate the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed battling the Indian rebels in 2003. When the skies are clear and blue, it offers amazing views of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains. A café nearby serves up great Bhutanese food, too!

Buddha Dordenma

buddha-bhutan

Although it’s under construction, the Buddha Dordenma is still a must-see. Built in bronze and gilded in gold, this will be the largest seated Buddha in the world. Inside the Buddha will be 100, 000 smaller Buddha statues. Like many other attractions in Bhutan, the Buddha Dordenma offers great views, this time being of the entire Thimphu Valley.

Remember, never travel without travel insurance! And never overpay for travel insurance!

I use HeyMondo. You get INSTANT quotes. Super cheap, they actually pay out, AND they cover almost everywhere, where most insurance companies don't (even places like Central African Republic etc!). You can sign-up here. PS You even get 5% off if you use MY LINK! You can even sign up if you're already overseas and traveling, pretty cool.

Also, if you want to start a blog...I CAN HELP YOU!

Also, if you want to start a blog, and start to change your life, I'd love to help you! Email me on johnny@onestep4ward.com. In the meantime, check out my super easy blog post on how to start a travel blog in under 30 minutes, here! And if you just want to get cracking, use BlueHost at a discount, through me.

Also, (if you're like me, and awful with tech-stuff) email me and my team can get a blog up and running for you, designed and everything, for $699 - email johnny@onestep4ward.com to get started.

Do you work remotely? Are you a digital nomad/blogger etc? You need to be insured too.

I use SafetyWing for my digital nomad insurance. It covers me while I live overseas. It's just $10 a week, and it's amazing! No upfront fees, you just pay week by week, and you can sign up just for a week if you want, then switch it off and on whenever. You can read my review here, and you can sign-up here!

sep-icons
teach-blog

So if you’re ready to…..

1) Change your life
2) Travel the world
3) Get paid to travel
4) Create a positive influence on others
5) Be free of offices and ‘real world’ rubbish

Then Sign Up Below and Let’s Get Started!

Follow me on Instagram @onestep4ward