People
Bhutan has three main ethnic groups, Sharchops, Ngalongs and Lhotsampas. Bhutanese are friendly and hospitable people.

Tradition

The Bhutanese people are extremely conscious and proud of their heritage. They are warm, kind and hospitable to visitors in their country. Foreign tourists are expected to respect Bhutanese sentiments regarding their personal privacy, religion and religious places, cultural and ecological concerns. Visits to religious and official persons should me made in proper attire (jackets and shoes).

Religion

Drukpa Kagyue school of Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion. Hindu is the dominant faith in the South. Some residues of Bon, animism and shamanism still exist in some pockets of the country.

Sports

The national sport of Bhutan is archery. Other traditional sports include digor - a kind of shotput, darts and wrestling. Today, most international sports, such as soccer, basket ball, volleyball, tennis, and table tennis are becoming popular.

Media

The autonomous national newspaper Kuensel is published weekly in three languages, Dzongkha, English and Nepali, and the national Television BBSTV broadcast four hours of national programmes in Dzongkha and English. It is available only in Thimphu. However, the national radio is by far the most popular and effective means of information, especially in rural areas. It is broadcast in Dzongkha, English, Nepali and Sharchop dialect.

Language
Bhutanese speak as many as nineteen dialects besides Dzongkha, the national language and lingua franca. English is the official language. Nepali is spoken in some southern dzongkhags.

Dress

Bhutanese men wear gho, which are longish robes tied around the waist by a cloth belt, know as kera. The womens ankle-length dress is known as kira, which is made of bright coloured fine woven fabric with traditional patterns.

Food

Staple diet is red rice, buckwheat, wheat, maize, pork, beef, chicken, yak meat, cheese and chilies, which are taken as vegetable and not as spice.


Architecture

The castle-like dzong, with their gently tapering walls, classic lines, large courtyards and beautiful galleries, are among the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Containing large monasteries inside and set in commanding position on hilltops or at the confluence of rivers, dzongs are also the administrative centers of their districts.


But, the most common architectural sight in Bhutan are the chortens or stupas which are small shrines built to house sacred relics.