1. Bhutan Has the World’s Highest Unclimbed Mountain

• Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m) remains unclimbed by anyone — not because no one tried, but because mountain climbing above 6,000 meters was banned in 1994 out of respect for local spiritual beliefs that mountains are sacred homes of deities.

 2. Television Came to Bhutan Only in 1999

• Bhutan was the last country in the world to introduce TV and the Internet — both launched on the same day, June 2, 1999, during the silver jubilee of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s coronation.

 3. Happiness is Literally a Government Policy

• Instead of GDP, Bhutan measures progress with Gross National Happiness (GNH) — a unique system balancing spiritual, social, environmental, and economic well-being.

• Every major government decision must pass a “Happiness Test.”

 4. Bhutan is Carbon-Negative

• Bhutan doesn’t just go green — it absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces!

• Over 70% of its land is covered in forests, and the constitution mandates that at least 60% must always remain forested.

 5. Magic, Spirits, and Protective Penises

• In Bhutan, colorful phallic paintings on homes and walls aren’t obscene — they’re symbols of protection and fertility.

• This tradition comes from Drukpa Kunley, the “Divine Madman,” a saint known for his outrageous, humorous way of teaching Buddhism.

 6. There Were No Traffic Lights in Thimphu — Still None Today

• Thimphu is one of the only capitals in the world without traffic lights.

• When the city once installed them, people protested!
  Now, traffic is directed by policemen in white gloves, performing almost dance-like motions.

7. Hydropower is the Country’s Main “White Gold”

• Around 80% of Bhutan’s electricity comes from hydropower, and most of it is exported to India.

• The clean energy makes Bhutan a renewable energy powerhouse despite its small size.

 8. Smoking is (Almost) Illegal

• Bhutan was the first country in the world to ban the sale and public use of tobacco in 2004.

• You can smoke privately, but selling cigarettes or smoking in public can result in heavy fines.

9. No Foreign Chains or Billboards

• You won’t find McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, or billboards in Bhutan.

• The government strictly regulates advertising and foreign business chains to protect its traditional culture and local economy.

 10. National Dress is Mandatory in Public Offices

• Men wear a Gho, and women wear a Kira.

• It’s mandatory to wear traditional clothing in schools, government offices, and during formal events.

• This keeps Bhutanese identity alive in a rapidly changing world.

 11. Archery is the National Sport — and It’s a Party!

• Archery matches are full of singing, dancing, and teasing.

• Men shoot at tiny wooden targets 145 meters away — almost twice the Olympic distance!

• The goal is accuracy and style.

12. Bhutan Was Never Colonized

• Bhutan has never been conquered or colonized by any foreign power — maintaining its sovereignty and culture for over a millennium.

• Its national identity is incredibly well-preserved as a result.

13. The King is Deeply Loved — and Tech-Savvy

• The current king, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is affectionately called the “People’s King.”

• He personally visits villages, teaches children, and even uses social media to connect with citizens.

14. Bhutan Has “Tigers in the Clouds”

• The endangered Royal Bengal Tiger roams the Himalayan highlands — sometimes at altitudes over 4,000 meters!

• Bhutan is the only place in the world where tigers and snow leopards share the same habitat zone.

15. Bhutanese Houses Are Built Without Nails

• Traditional Bhutanese architecture uses interlocking wood, mud, and stone — no nails or metal.

• Homes are colorfully painted with Buddhist symbols to bring peace and protection.