Bhutan, also known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a small Himalayan country nestled between China and India. Though isolated for centuries, Bhutan has recently opened up to the world while still retaining its rich cultural heritage. The Bhutanese people have a tradition of telling riddles as a way to stimulate thinking and conversation. Here are 49 riddles about Bhutan along with their answers.
Geography Riddles
These riddles relate to Bhutan’s unique geography and notable landmarks.
Riddle 1
I am the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Snow leopards prowl my rocky slopes. What mountain am I?
Answer: Gangkhar Puensum
Riddle 2
We are a famous set of Bhutanese cliffs and monasteries etched into the side of a mountain. Pilgrims have visited us for centuries. What are we?
Answer: Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
Riddle 3
I am a Bhutanese pass over 4000 meters high. I am an important trade route between Bhutan and Tibet. What am I?
Answer: Thrumshing La
Riddle 4
I am Bhutan’s largest river, known as the Sunkosh along my lower reaches. I flow from Tibet through Bhutan into India. What river am I?
Answer: Manas River
Riddle 5
We are Bhutan’s most famous and sacred valley. Our towering fortress holds many ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries. What valley are we?
Answer: Paro Valley
History & Culture Riddles
Test your knowledge of Bhutan’s rich history and cultural traditions.
Riddle 6
I unified Bhutan in the 17th century and established the system of dual government between secular leaders and monastic bodies. Who am I?
Answer: Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
Riddle 7
We are an ancient animist tradition that predates Buddhism in Bhutan. We worship earth deities and perform elaborate masked dances. What tradition are we?
Answer: Bon
Riddle 8
I am the spectacular annual tsechu festival celebrated across Bhutan. I feature elaborate costumes, mask dances, and other traditions. What festival am I?
Answer: Tsechu
Riddle 9
I am the national dress for Bhutanese men. I consist of a gho robe tied around the waist by a cloth belt known as a kera. What am I?
Answer: Gho
Riddle 10
We are ornate Bhutanese structures that contain religious relics and homages to deceased kings and revered lamas. What are we?
Answer: Chortens (Stupas)
Flora & Fauna Riddles
Test your knowledge of Bhutan’s high alpine flora and diverse fauna.
Riddle 11
I am Bhutan’s national flower. I grow on the rocky high mountain slopes and my name means “hundred thousand lotuses.” What flower am I?
Answer: Blue poppy
Riddle 12
I am the national tree of Bhutan. My leaves resemble the horns of a yak. Pilgrims spin me in prayer wheels. What tree am I?
Answer: Himalayan cypress
Riddle 13
I am Bhutan’s national animal. I am an elusive creature who lives among the rocky cliffs and alpine meadows. What am I?
Answer: Takin
Riddle 14
I am Bhutan’s national bird. My distinctive black and white plumage and red beak inspired Bhutan’s national flag. What bird am I?
Answer: Raven
Riddle 15
I am an endangered wild goat native to the Eastern Himalayas. I am known for my long, curled horns and sure-footed nature. What am I?
Answer: Himalayan serow
Economy & Lifestyle Riddles
Learn about Bhutan’s economy, development philosophy, and way of life.
Riddle 16
I am Bhutan’s development philosophy focused on happiness and well-being rather than just economic gain. What philosophy am I?
Answer: Gross National Happiness
Riddle 17
I am Bhutan’s currency. My name means “silver” in Dzongkha though I am not made of silver. What am I?
Answer: Ngultrum
Riddle 18
I am Bhutan’s most famous agricultural export. I grow best in the valleys of eastern Bhutan. What spice am I?
Answer: Red rice
Riddle 19
I am a Bhutanese stringed instrument played during dances and religious ceremonies. What instrument am I?
Answer: Dramyin
Riddle 20
I am a traditional Bhutanese sport played during festivals and holidays. Teams try to hit a small ball into a goal using their knees, shoulders, and head. What sport am I?
Answer: Khuru
People & Language Riddles
Learn about the languages and ethnic groups that make up Bhutan’s rich cultural tapestry.
Riddle 21
I am Bhutan’s official language and the primary spoken language across most of the country. What language am I?
Answer: Dzongkha
Riddle 22
I am Bhutan’s largest ethnic group who live mainly in northern and central Bhutan. I have my own language distinct from Dzongkha. Who am I?
Answer: Ngalop
Riddle 23
I am Bhutan’s main Tibetan ethnic group who live primarily in eastern Bhutan. I have retained many ancient Tibetan traditions. Who am I?
Answer: Sharchop
Riddle 24
We are indigenous forest-dwelling ethnic groups who live in southern Bhutan. We have our own languages and animist belief systems. Who are we?
Answer: Lhotshampas
Riddle 25
I am the term for the Bhutanese royal family and ruling dynasty. My first king unified Bhutan in 1907. What am I?
Answer: Wangchuck Dynasty
Religion Riddles
Test your knowledge of Bhutan’s main religion which permeates all aspects of life.
Riddle 26
I am Bhutan’s main religion practiced by over 75% of the population. I have influenced Bhutan’s art, architecture, and governance for centuries. What religion am I?
Answer: Buddhism (Vajrayana school)
Riddle 27
I am a type of Buddhist monastery and fortress found across Bhutan. I serve both monastic and administrative functions. What am I?
Answer: Dzong
Riddle 28
We are giant carved wooden phalluses displayed on house exteriors across Bhutan. We are sacred symbols intended to drive away evil spirits. What are we?
Answer: Phalluses (lingam)
Riddle 29
I am a ritual Bhutanese dagger worn by men and monks. I have great spiritual significance and represent the thunderbolt of wisdom. What am I?
Answer: Kila (phurba)
Riddle 30
I am a handheld Bhutanese prayer wheel that rotates around a central spindle. I contain sacred mantras and Buddha images. What am I?
Answer: Mani wheel
Government & Politics Riddles
Learn about Bhutan’s unique political system and institutions.
Riddle 31
I am Bhutan’s governing council that oversees the democratic government. I have authority over security, foreign policy, and religion. What council am I?
Answer: Lhengye Zhungtshog (Council of Ministers)
Riddle 32
I am Bhutan’s upper parliamentary house with 20 elected members from each dzongkhag. Monastic leaders are permanent members. What house am I?
Answer: National Council
Riddle 33
I am Bhutan’s lower parliamentary house with 47 members directly elected by citizens every 5 years. What house am I?
Answer: National Assembly
Riddle 34
I am the highest rank of the Bhutanese dratshang monk hierarchy. I oversee all monastic bodies and serve on the king’s advisory council. Who am I?
Answer: Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot)
Riddle 35
I am the Bhutanese legal code that draws from Buddhist teachings and traditions. I was established by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century. What am I?
Answer: Tsa Yig
Exploration Riddles
These riddles cover Bhutan’s remote areas and intrepid explorers.
Riddle 36
We are a pair of American botanists who made the first documented trip into remote southeastern Bhutan in 1933. Who are we?
Answer: Joseph Rock and Frank Kingdon-Ward
Riddle 37
I am a Bhutanese pass at over 5000 meters connecting western Bhutan to Tibet. I am among the highest motorable passes in the world. What pass am I?
Answer: Chele La
Riddle 38
I am Bhutan’s most prominent unclimbed peak at over 7500 meters. I lie close to the Tibet border in remote northern Bhutan. What peak am I?
Answer: Gangkhar Puensum
Riddle 39
We are one of the most remote traditional villages in Bhutan. We are home to the Brokpa people who live as yak herders. Where are we located?
Answer: Merak and Sakteng villages
Riddle 40
I am a lost Buddhist kingdom located in northeast Bhutan. I was known as a sacred hidden valley before being opened up in the 1990s. What was I called?
Answer: Beyul Khenpajong
Miscellaneous Riddles
A collection of riddles on random Bhutan facts and trivia.
Riddle 41
I am the national sport of Bhutan though I originated in England. I am played with a small ball and wooden bat. What sport am I?
Answer: Archery
Riddle 42
I am a Bhutanese architectural style known for my sloping walls, small windows, and colourful woodwork and paintings. What style am I?
Answer: Dzong architecture
Riddle 43
I am a Bhutanese snack made from puffed or roasted rice with spices and sometimes peanuts or raisins mixed in. What am I?
Answer: Bhaat jaaru
Riddle 44
I am the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in Bhutan. I am made from rice, wheat or corn. What beverage am I?
Answer: Ara (rice wine)
Riddle 45
I am a Bhutanese chili that is integral to Bhutanese cuisine. I am known for my intense spicy flavor. What type of chili am I?
Answer: Ema datshi (Bhutanese chili)
Riddle 46
I am the only international airport in Bhutan located in the Paro Valley. I am considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world due to the surrounding terrain. What airport am I?
Answer: Paro Airport
Riddle 47
I am Bhutan’s most important Buddhist holiday that celebrates the deeds of Padmasambhava who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. When am I celebrated?
Answer: Thimphu Tshechu celebrated in autumn
Riddle 48
I am the highest motorable road in Bhutan reaching an altitude of over 4000 meters. I provide vital access between western and central Bhutan. What road am I?
Answer: Thrumsing La
Riddle 49
I am Bhutan’s largest dzong located in Trongsa in central Bhutan. I represent the symbolic center of Bhutan. What dzong am I?
Answer: Trongsa Dzong
Conclusion
These 49 riddles provide a fun and challenging way to learn about different aspects of Bhutan’s geography, history, culture, politics, religion, and daily life. Bhutan remains a mystery to many outsiders, but its rich traditions and breathtaking Himalayan landscape make it an endlessly fascinating country. Exploring Bhutan through these riddles offers a glimpse into this isolated kingdom and the warm, spiritual people who call it home.
