[PDF] D.O.W.N.L.O.A.D Treasures of the Thunder Dragon: A Portrait of Bhutan FOR ANY DEVICE

Book Description
Long regarded as the Forbidden Land, Bhutan—or Druk Yul, the Land of the Thunder
Dragon—was virtually closed to the outside world until the 1960s. Even today, little is known
about this remote Himalayan Buddhist kingdom nestled between two giant neighbours, India and
China. Often described as the Last Shangri La, Bhutan is still a country of pristine forests, alpine
valleys and glacial lakes, rich in rare flora and fauna such as the blue poppy, the golden langur
and the red panda. As spectacular as its natural beauty are the architecture of its towering dzongs
(fortresses) and the art treasures that fill its monasteries and temples. Ashi Dorji Wangmo
Wangchuck’s portrait of her country is a captivating blend of personal memoir, history, folklore
and travelogue. It provides unique and intimate insights into Bhutanese culture and society, with
its vivid glimpses of life in Bhutan’s villages and hamlets, monasteries and palaces. Her engaging
account of her childhood, growing up in a village in western Bhutan and the changes she
witnessed when the country decided to end its isolation also tells a larger story—that of Bhutan’s
rapid transition from a medieval kingdom to a modern nation within the space of a decade. The
author shares with us her delight in some of the hidden treasures of her country, which she
discovered during her journeys on foot to every corner of Bhutan—from highland villages in the
shadow of the great Himalayan peaks to serene monasteries wreathed in myth and legend to the
rainforests in the south and centre of the country, which are among the world’s richest
biodiversity hotspots. This book, with its specially commissioned illustrations by young
Bhutanese artists, and photographs from the author’s family album, is essential reading both for
those who plan to visit the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon and for armchair travellers who yearn
to experience the magic of Bhutan through their imaginations.