The capital has no traffic lights.
Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world without traffic lights. In the capital city of Thimphu, which has the highest traffic volume, police are present at major intersections to regulate traffic.
In Bhutan, traffic is still controlled by police standing on colorful platforms like shrines and the only gas station in Thimphu.
The only country in the world without traffic lights is located in South Asia, bordering two large countries, India and China.
Many people when coming to Bhutan – Thimphu have the same question “why does this city not use any traffic lights?”. That is because the democratization process has brought a series of advances to the capital Thimphu.
Instead of using traffic lights, traffic police will direct traffic on the roads at checkpoints.
Unlike other places, the movements of the traffic police here are not clear and decisive, but are graceful and gentle like dancing. However, the traffic participants in Thimphu still obey them obediently.
Beautiful booths in places without traffic lights
The 47,000 km wide hill kingdom2This is one of the most isolated countries in the world, where tourism and foreign elements remain completely state-controlled to preserve traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture.
The colorful traffic police platforms in the city center have even become a “symbol” of the Bhutanese capital, which tourists love to take souvenir photos with. That is also the explanation for the question of many tourists about why the city does not use traffic lights.
Currently, the Kingdom of Bhutan with 672,000 people has up to 30,000 cars. To avoid traffic congestion in the capital Thimphu as well as to create convenience for tourists when traveling to Bhutan, a team of 30 police officers take turns controlling the number of vehicles traveling in the city.
There are no automated parking systems in Bhutan. Just turn off your car for a short time and an employee will come and collect the parking fee of 30 ngultrum (about 0.5 USD) per hour.
It is not easy to move around in this country.
Violators of traffic laws are severely punished. Speeding and reckless driving can result in a fine of $5. Drunk driving can result in a fine of up to $25, a seemingly small amount, but equivalent to one-fifth of the average Bhutanese monthly salary. A third offense can result in a permanent loss of a driver’s license.
Bhutan's complicated traffic situation
Speed limit signs are not needed in Bhutan’s capital because the roads are narrow and winding due to the mountainous terrain. On such roads, it is difficult to exceed the speed limit of 45 km/h for cars and 35 km/h for trucks. Bhutan has just built a two-lane highway. There, people can travel at 50 km/h.
Bhutanese people do not have surnames, only given names.
Normally, a person’s name consists of a family name and a given name. Each individual is identified to which family or clan he or she belongs, in part, by the family name he or she bears. However, this is not true in Bhutan. Each person has two names next to each other, not just a family name and a given name.
As the happiest kingdom in the world, Bhutan still has unique cultures.
Some parents do not name their children but wait for an auspicious day and take them to the temple to be blessed and named by a priest.
In other words, Bhutan is a country without relatives. Each child in a family has a different name and outsiders cannot determine whether they are born to the same parents or not. For example, the father of Bhutan's Queen Jetsun Pema is named Dhondup Gyaltshen, her mother is Sonam Chuki, while her two brothers are called Thinlay Norbu, Jigme Namgyal and her two sisters are Serchen Doma and Yeatso Lhamo.
The custom of having two names and no family name in Bhutan reflects the country's unique cultural identity. It is closely linked to Buddhist beliefs, history and long-standing traditions. This naming system contributes to the uniqueness and appeal of Bhutan to tourists.
Bhutan’s two-name naming system with no family name is a unique and interesting cultural feature. It reflects the history, beliefs, and identity of the Bhutanese people. If you have the opportunity to visit Bhutan, take the time to learn about this custom to understand more about the country’s culture.
Bhutan is famous as the happiest country in the world, besides the happiness index, fresh nature, this country also contains many other surprises. The warm-hearted people welcome tourists to Bhutan. The beautiful temples bring a sense of peace and appreciation of life. Those are also the unforgettable feelings when you visit this special land.
