Essentially, GDP asks: “How much wealth are we making?” while GNH asks: “Are we living well, sustainably?”Ideally located in the heart of the national capital, Thimphu, Simply Bhutan is a highly interactive living museum that offers an immersive introduction to traditional Bhutanese life. A visit to Simply Bhutan can serve as a rewarding prelude for tourists, offering a glimpse of what to expect from this landlocked Himalayan kingdom—the “Land of the Thunder Dragon”—its deep-rooted Buddhist culture, dramatic landscapes of monasteries and fortresses, and its commitment to GNH by balancing tradition with modernity. Simply Bhutan is a cultural conservation project dedicated to preserving Bhutan’s heritage while creating employment opportunities for local youth. The museum’s architecture reflects traditional Bhutanese design, featuring repurposed timber, doors, window frames, and other materials salvaged from demolished houses. When I first noticed rows of dried chili peppers hanging along the sidewalls inside the Simply Bhutan museum, I could already imagine how central chilies must be to Bhutanese cuisine.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 26, 2025 18:31 UTC