The name Bhutan appears to derive from the ancient Indian term Bhotanta which means the end of the land of the Bhots. Bhot was the Sanskrit term for Tibetans, thus Bhutan could mean the end of the land of Tibet. It could also extend from the Sanskrit word Bhu'uttan or high land. No one seems to be sure.The Kingdom lies east of Nepal and west of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is south of the Tibetan hinterland and north of the Indian territories of Assam and West Bengal.

The modern capital of Bhutan lies at the elevation of 2300m in a valley traversed by the Wang chu(river). 

Memorial Chorten: this stupa was built in 1974 in the memory of the late third Kinge Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The paintings and images inside the monument provide a rare sight into Buddhist philosophy.

Tashichho Dzong: was initially built in the 17th century, was rebuilt in early 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Tashichhho Dzong houses the main Secretariat building and the central monk body. 

Changangkha temple: built in the 15 century by lama Phajo Drigom lies on a hilltop commanding the Thimphu valley. The temple has very old scriptures and Thankhas. The main deity of the temple is Avalokiteshvara, God of compassion. 

Simtokha Dzong: the oldest dzong in the country stands on a lofty ridge at the end of valley. It was built in 1627-29 and now houses the school for Buddhist studies. 
All the Bhutanese language teachers pass out from this university.

Indigenous Hospital: Since Bhutan has its own brand of Himalayan medicine the Government has given equal emphasis to both allopathic and traditional medicines. 

National Library: the history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the national library. Painting School: where young children learn the ancient art of paintings. One can actually see students at work. 

Vegetable Market: Every Saturday & Sunday most of the Thimphu's population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. This is the only time in the week when fresh vegetables are available and Saturday mornings are a hive of activity.

Bumthang has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprising of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. 
Apart from the Dzong at Jakar smaller temples can be found throughout the hills. Tales of Padma Sambhava dominate these holy shrines. The valley is home to the sacred Jampa and Kurje Monasteries where bodily marks of Guru Rimpoche are impressed upon a rock. Bumthang is also the traditional home to the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa to whose descendants the present dynasty traces its ancestry.