Treasures of the Thunder Dragon: A Portrait of Bhutan

by Ashi Dori Wangmo Wangchuck

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Asia, History, Memoir, Cultural, Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 25, 2007

Reviews

[Trisha Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasures of the Thunder Dragon is a blend of memoir, travelogue, and cultural documentation.

Rooted in mountains, monasteries, and mindful living, the book becomes a quiet reminder that some places still move at the pace of the mountains.

As a reader, it opened up perspectives beyond the popular “Shangri-La” image often associated with Bhutan. What I also found interesting was tracing the migration and cultural parallels between certain tribes of Arunachal Pradesh in India and those in eastern Bhutan.

[Michal Thoma · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books about Bhutan coming form one of the wifes of the fourth now retired king. It's partly biography and travelogue. While the most of the writers about Bhutan portraits the country as kind of fairy land, queen herself proves she has more touch with the real then any of the western fieldworkes, journalist and other authors. She is against the portrayal of Bhutan as a kitch "Shangri-la" and she uncovers the poor underdeveloped country which through the unique ways and genius of their kings is finding it's own original and highly adorable way for developing itself.

Openness with which queen speaks about the murder of her uncle (holder of shabdrung seat) by the second king is striking. Anyway other problematic issues are omitted or played down. This includes southern problem o 90's which drove nearly one hundred thousand bhutanese of nepali descent to refugee camps outside of the country. Also we find very little about the queens feeling about the marriage to king along with her three sister, which is highly unusual even by bhutanese nobility standards. In fact, you'll find really nothing regarding the queens and king's personal life.

Anyway this book is one of the best insights to Bhutan from quite interesting point of view.

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for outsiders, this book presents the Queen of Bhutan's recollections of her childhood in Bhutan, her explanations of Bhutanese culture and tradition, and some information about particular places and people she encountered on her many treks to remote parts of the country. While it is full of vivid visual detail and spirituality, the tone is oddly emotionally detached, and the story lacks detail on many key moments. For example, there is one sentence about the author's marriage to the king, which explains nothing about how they met, how the marriage was decided or arranged, how she felt about it, etc. One gets the sense that this book is part tourist guide, part propaganda, especially if you read other sources and learn of events that are omitted, such as the systematic disenfranchisement and forced expulsion of Nepali citizens in the recent past.

[Gilbish Kosma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the majority of my knowledge related to Bhutan from this book, the Author has covered different topics related to Bhutan, like their geographical area, their history, their culture and the way people live their. The Queen has documented her journey to the different Villages of Bhutan.
I will recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about Bhutan or if you are going to visit Bhutan.

I completed the book before Visiting Bhutan, and it was worth it, will surely visit Bhutan 🧡 again.

[Kavya Suresh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone who wishes to visit Bhutan. One would realise how little is known of this country, as they read through the pages. This work very well sums up the philosophy, lifestyle and cultural diversity of Bhutan.

[Suzesmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

153📒🇧🇹BHUTAN 🇧🇹 Any list for a #readingtheworld will have this for #bhutan. Written by the senior “queen mother” (not the mother of the queen as we would understand it, but the Queen And mother of Bhutan), it is a compact, yet comprehensive account of this intriguing tiny Himalayan nation of Gross National Happiness, yaks, yetis, blue poppies, snow leopards and Olympian archery champions🏹 Polygamy and polyandry is commonplace, and the 4th king (the author’s husband) married her and her three sisters in one ceremony in 1979. Interestingly, she doesn’t write of this arrangement (other than it happened), and what it’s like to live as a literal sister wife. Much of the book is an account of her incredible journey, often on foot, and well into altitudes of 3,000-4,000m above sea level. She describes in great detail her encounters with the many diverse cultures. Absolutely incredible. Equally incredible is the epilogue that describes her second grandson’s revelation that he is a reincarnation of an ancient buddhist deity. I’m reminded of a book a read in high school “The Tulku” about the identification of the Dali Lama’s reincarnate. I’m thinking I have to read that next as I head west into Nepal, Tibet and northern India #🌏📚#readingworldtour2021 #readtheworld #worldliterature #readingworldliterature #reading #readingwomenchallenge #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #bookstagram #booklover #book #booknerd #bibliophile #travel #travelogue #fiction #nonfiction #nonfictionreads #travelbooks #ayearofreadingaroundtheworld.

[Lik C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting and magical – two words the former Queen of Bhutan frequently, in this memoir, described different places she journeyed to in her beloved country. I liked this memoir, where she wrote a history of Bhutan, this mysterious country to us which is not easy to travel to, and introduced their culture and customs. I was amazed at her resolve to travel in her own country, where there were a lot of hard to reach areas that required her to take strenuous hikes for days. More than travelling to these ‘enchanting’ and ‘magical’ streams, springs, mountains, it was getting to know her own people, adopting them into her foundation, and extending her help to them, from giving out fleece blankets or seeds for farming. I was also amazed in learning how the people maintain their simple way of life despite of a lot of technological advancements.

I was just overwhelmed with some of her journeys, that at times I sometimes got lost where she was headed. It’s an enjoyable memoir all the same, and I felt that I’ve travelled as well to Bhutan, but just reading about it would not compare to her fascinating experience.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a simple book written by the former Queen of Bhutan. overall, only small bits of history are sprinkled over Wangchuck's journey throughout her country. mythology, superstition, and religious traditions are what the audience reads about the most. the author makes a point to note that Bhutan's brand of Buddhism evolved from Bon, an animistic religion which demarcates Bhutanese customs from its Himalayan neighbors. I found the parts about the Layaps - Bhutan's high- elevation yak herders- the most interesting. over time I think this book will serve as an important snapshot of Bhutan. since India and China have interest the in country, it will be intriguing to monitor how isolated Bhutan will react to diplomacy from both sides. will gross national happiness be maintained? anyway, easy read. you'll be wanting yak cheese mixed with chili peppers after reading Wangchuck's book because the Bhutanese favorite is mentioned numerous times.

[Kavya · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first travel book! I finally understand how it feels to be an "armchair traveller".
It's amazing how our brains work, how we can see new places just be reading about them.

This book is written by the Queen Mother of Bhutan. I especially liked the introduction to Bhutan and Bhutanese culture and the initial short autobiographical chapters from her time in Nobgang, a small village in Punakha. The eerie reincarnation stories felt like I was dreaming in another world.

It's truly commendable how she made many determined journeys across the country on foot and I'm glad she decided to recount them in this book. She guides you through splendid sceneries, pointing out the spectacular and strange.

I travelled to Bhutan for 9 days this Spring, and I can't wait to visit again to witness the innumerable idyllic villages in faraway fantasy lands that one can only reach by foot.

[Anu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the first wife of the fourth king of Bhutan, this is a fantastic accompaniment to travels in Bhutan, where you can understand the depth of history and culture behind the places you see and the beliefs of locals. The royal family of Bhutan appears to be in the rare segment of aristocrats that genuinely care about their people and wish to serve them effectively. This book chronicles the queen’s travels to discover her own country and her own people’s needs and the best way to solve for those needs.
There are a lot of references to reincarnations, dreams, protective deities and other supernatural phenomena, which seem to constitute a central part of Bhutanese culture. It’s fascinating to watch the modernisation of the country in a few short decades and how it melds with their inherent beliefs and culture. Bhutan is a beautiful country with beautiful people indeed.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you plan to travel to Bhutan, this memoir/travelogue by the Queen Mother is a lovely introduction to some of the wonders of this country. She tells of her childhood in a village and her travels as child and an adult. It is striking how much is the same and also how much has changed.

[Kathryn Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful descriptions of the people, landscape and culture of Bhutan. Great foundation for learning and understanding the history and the contemporary before travelling there. I would definitely recommend for anyone planning a visit to Bhutan

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for a trip to Bhutan. It was written by the Queen Mother of Bhutan and a great mix of history, culture, geography, personal travel, and adventure. Enjoyed it very much.

[Tanya Ivanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the first chapters and find it a very curious look on a preserved traditional culture (at least back in the day the book was written). However, I cannot find access to the full book - either download or purchase. Can someone share the ebook?

[Adam Pfeifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bhutan: this was pretty interesting. Written by the queen about her childhood and travels all around the country. It wasn’t dense so I didn’t really care too much about what she did but it would be awesome to have 2 months to just wander around the mountains and monasteries there.

[Kelleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mix of memoir, Bhutanese history, and travel guide.

[Wojtek Konieczny · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

[Samantha Pohly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely book that captures the beauty and uniqueness of the country.

[Souvik Chakraborty · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the finest book on Bhutanese culture, history, art and many more aspects from the writer. The stories, legends and folklore are intriguing to readers totally absorbing I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Thank you.

[Rachna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully told book about the beauties of a country that the author obviously loves. It could serve as a rough travel guide to the country as it introduces you to the people of Bhutan, their customs and history, and also about the landscape. She also briefly talks about her life and family connections.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough to keep me reading. I think it will mean more to me when I visit Bhutan.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always want to be careful when I talk about Bhutan, because the country - its projects, its people - are so often ... how do I say this? I guess: infantilized or oversimplified, particularly in books by Westerners who have lived there.* Treasures of the Thunder Dragon is an insider's book written to be accessible to outsiders - it is in no way a heavy book - and therefore offers a really valuable perspective on the country. It's a friendly kind of book, with a very likable author (I don't think it's ghostwritten) who treats her adventures gently and matter-of-factly. She clearly loves her country, which is a nice kind of thing to read about, and does a good job portraying what makes Bhutan special. Despite that, she doesn't downplay the challenges - both the challenges of modernity and of, well, being human.

* To be fair, I should say, "in conversations about their books" because I haven't read any of the books. Because I listened to interviews, and the interviews made me go D:.**
** Also to be fair, I should say that my personal conversations about Bhutan usually get stuck somewhere around "THEIR KING IS DREAMY."

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable examination of both Bhutanese history and present culture, written by one of the wives of the king. Her treks through the country are amazing for their physical difficulty and interesting explanations of the tribes and their customs. She sounds like a very down-to-earth person with a true love for her country.

[Jean Cable · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was A travel log, slow.

[Dayanand Prabhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

an enjoyable introduction to Bhutan and it's life style

[Vinay Nayak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books provides an excellent perspective of Bhutan and its culture. The writing is smooth and makes you feel as if you know the Queen Mother very well.

[Karen]

22 Ambassadors Recommend the One Book to Read Before Visiting Their Country @ Bhutan

H.E. Kunzang C. Namgyel recommends Treasures of the Thunder Dragon: A Portrait of Bhutan, which was written by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and is a personal memoir combined with folklore, creating a portrait of the Himalayan kingdom.