Photos and Videos

The Himalayan kingdom, located between India and China and east of Nepal, is pursuing 'high-value, low-impact' tourists as it aims to boost its visitor numbers fivefold next year. Pictured here, the Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest, in Paro Valley. TW photos by Arnie Weissmann

Photos & Videos

Bhutan rolls out the welcome mat

The Himalayan kingdom, located between India and China and east of Nepal, is pursuing 'high-value, low-impact' tourists as it aims to boost its visitor numbers fivefold next year. Pictured here, the Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest, in Paro Valley. TW photos by Arnie Weissmann

The Himalayan kingdom, located between India and China and east of Nepal, is pursuing 'high-value, low-impact' tourists as it aims to boost its visitor numbers fivefold next year. Pictured here, the Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest, in Paro Valley. TW photos by Arnie Weissmann

Two monks circumnavigate the 100 chortens atop 9,900-foot Dochula Pass.

The town of Paro, in a valley cut by the Wang Chhu river, as seen from the National Museum.

Three residents of Paro. The man on the right is wearing a gho, the national dress of Bhutan.

The market in Wangdu Phodrang.

Phalluses painted around the entrance of a handicraft shop near Paro.

Marijuana plants along a hiking trail in Bumthang.

A worker clears a stand of marijuana plants in the town center of Jakar.

Tsa-tsas, containing small amounts of human ash, left on rocks near Drukgyal Dzong.

Prayer flags tied to a bridge in Bumthang region.

Prayer flags are constructed and raised in Bumthang.

Vertically mounted prayer flags put in position near Lahkhang Temple near the town of Pakar.

Mr. Nado watches as the author's 8-year-old sun spins a prayer wheel near the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong.

A woman turns a wheel covered in gold leaf at the entrance of Trongsa Dzong.

Punakha Dzong, on the Puna Tsang Chu River.

A 150-foot Buddha under construction on a mountain above Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, will be the 17th largest Buddha in the world

Punakha Dzong, on the Puna Tsang Chu River

A woman weaves traditional designs at the Yatha Weaving Center near Bumthang

An archer at Thimphu's Changlimithang Stadium

A pickup game of street cricket

The author's 8-year-old son at bat

The author's 10-year-old son bowls

The view out of the back of the hotel

Bhutan rolls out the welcome mat

Bhutan's first -- and so far, only -- shopping mall, Shearee Square, just before it opened last month

Shearee Square at night

Bhutan's National Highway is a tight squeeze in some areas

Thimphu is the only Asian capital without a stoplight

Dasho Tobgye Dorji explains the meaning of items in the shrine room of Hotel Gangtey Palace to the author's sons

Kesang Wangdi, Director General, Tourism Council of Bhutan