Attended by the king and villagers from across the country, Bhutan’s high-altitude Royal Highland Festival involves dancing, horse racing, wrestling and other trials of strength.

Reciprocal trips by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, are said to strengthen ties but could disturb Thimphu’s border negotiations with Beijing.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made his recent visit to Bhutan a priority despite the possibility of violating pre-election rules.

While Bhutan relies on India economically, Delhi also needs to ensure Thimpu remains an ally amid Beijing’s increasing presence and influence in the kingdom, analysts say.

At least three villages have been built in the mountainous region separating the two countries, with some doubling in size.

The kingdom, which uses a Gross National Happiness index, is looking to unlock value in its abundant lakes and rivers through partnerships with India.

Tobgay’s People’s Democratic Party won nearly two-thirds of seats in parliament, local media reported, with the 58-year-old conservation advocate expected to become premier for the second time.

Bhutan, ‘one of the last barriers’ in China’s bid to exert influence in South Asia, will elect a new parliament next week.

Bhutan-India ties have historically been strong, and New Delhi has wielded influence in trying to take care of Bhutan’s security interests.

Negotiations on border dispute and diplomatic ties moved forward when Bhutan’s top diplomat visited Beijing. The small Himalayan kingdom is sandwiched between two Asian giants competing for influence.

Chinese and Bhutanese officials wrap up new round of border talks and agree to work towards formal diplomatic relations, signalling thaw in ties that analysts say could be a setback for New Delhi’s security efforts in the Himalayas.

Bhutan is wary of the impact of mass tourism and bans mountain climbing to preserve its peaks, so the Sustainable Development Fee limits visitor numbers, but increasing it to US$200 a night has put too many people off.

There’s around a 20cm difference between children in the tallest and shortest nations, studies have found. Genes are part of the reason, but environmental factors such as poor diet could be more important.

Nepal’s ex-home minister, Balkrishna Khand was arrested for his role in a scam that duped young Nepalese out of money on the promise they would be sent to the US as refugees from Bhutan.

China’s talks with Bhutan prompted India to send its foreign secretary over for meetings with the kingdom’s leaders.

The Trans Bhutan Trail, used for centuries for travel between villages in the Himalayan kingdom, fell into disrepair. Now it has been restored and reopened – a boon to natives and visitors alike.

She met her to-be husband when she was just seven and he was 17, but got married at 21 … what else do you know about Bhutan’s beautiful “Dragon” Queen Jetsun Pema?

The country of fewer than 800,000 people – known for its fabulous mountain vistas, untouched forests and imposing Buddhist monasteries – will start allowing international tourists back in from next month.

The tiny Himalayan nation is grappling with the effects of soaring oil and grain prices, and a strict zero-Covid policy that has barred foreign tourists for the past two years. Its foreign exchange reserves have dwindled to less than US$970 million.

Until February last year, same-sex activity was defined as ‘conduct against the laws of nature’ in the Buddhist country’s penal code. Now, Tashi Choden is representing Bhutan at Miss Universe – as the nation’s only openly gay public figure.

Readers discuss how Bhutan offers a good lesson in energy sufficiency and national happiness, and suggest ways to help Hongkongers opt out of circular mail.

The Bhutan government and a Canadian organisation worked together to rebuild the trail, which had been in a state of disrepair for six decades.

Bhutan’s fourth death from Covid-19 ‘felt like a bullet’, said its doctor-prime minister, as dozens now die from the disease in Australia every day. Elsewhere, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern is self-isolating, and Manila is set to ease curbs as cases drop.

Beijing’s move could be an attempt to hit back at countries that have accused China of aggression in the area, analyst says.

Thousands of foreigners have left Indonesia in recent weeks, airport records showed, with Japanese and Chinese nationals leading the exodus.