Bhutan is a deeply Buddhist and traditional society, and a little cultural awareness goes a long way. Bhutanese are warm and forgiving of honest mistakes, but showing respect will enrich your visit enormously.
Dress
Dress modestly, especially when visiting dzongs, temples and monasteries, where long trousers or a long skirt and covered shoulders are required — avoid shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops at religious sites. Remove your hat and shoes before entering a temple or shrine room. Bhutanese themselves wear the elegant national dress, the gho and kira, at these places.
Behaviour and respect
- Always walk clockwise around chortens, prayer wheels, mani walls and temples.
- Ask permission before photographing people, and never photograph inside temples or of altars unless it is expressly allowed.
- Do not point your feet at an altar, statue or person, and do not touch sacred images or objects.
- Give and receive things with both hands, or with the right hand supported by the left.
- Keep public displays of affection discreet.
A respectful greeting — "kuzuzangpo la" — and a genuine smile open every door in Bhutan.