Lying on opposite sites of the Himalayas, Tibet and Bhutan are two amazing destinations that are famous for stunning landscapes, unique cultures, and religions. But they still have vast differences as well. From the scenery and culture to the people, the food, and the climate, you will be surprised what is the same and what differs from one side of the Himalayas to the other.

If you are curious about the Himalayas, if you are on the fence about which destination, Tibet or Bhutan, is the best to visit, then these differences below will give you a better idea of them so that you can make the best travel plan to your favorite destination of the Himalaya.

Tibet Scenery VS Bhutan Scenery: Tibet for Epic Himalayan Vista, Bhutan for Idyllic Scene

Widely known as “the Roof of the World”, Tibet is located on the towering Tibetan Plateau, averaging 4,000m above sea level. This massive realm of spirituality has a sheer size of 1.22 million km², offering adventurous travelers the perfect place for highland adventures.

In Tibet, you can closely admire the unobstructed north face of Mt. Everest at Tibet Everest Base Camp, explore serene alpine lakes and boundless steppes, venture into arid and barren terrain in western Tibet for Mt. Kailash pilgrimage, or enjoy “Swiss-style” landscapes with lush forests in eastern Tibet. Though with thin air, and a harsh climate, Tibet remains a holy grail for Himalayan adventures and spiritual seekers.

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Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

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Bhutan, by contrast, is much smaller than Tibet, covering about 38,394 km² between China and India in the eastern Himalayas, with an average elevation of 3,280m.

Though surrounded by towering peaks to its north, Bhutan has a much lower altitude and more greenery than Tibet. The valleys are filled with lush forests, terraced fields, and rivers, giving it a softer, more pastoral vibe. To the south, the land descends into subtropical plains. Bhutan’s unique location in the Himalayas makes it one of the most well-preserved and biodiverse regions in the world, a perfect place for travelers seeking nature and serenity.

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Tibetan Buddhism VS Bhutan Buddhism: Two Himalayan Destinations with Different Buddhism

Though both Tibet and Bhutan are Buddhist destinations, there is a huge difference between Tibetan Buddhism and Bhutan Buddhism.

Buddhism first spread to Tibet in the 7th century from India and inland China. Through years of conflicts and reconciliation with Tibet’s native religion Bon, by the 15th century, Tibetan Buddhism finally became the well-established four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, including Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug. The Gelugpa school is the newest, largest, and most influential Tibetan Buddhist school revered by Dalai Lamas, Panchen Lamas, and most Tibetans across Tibet.

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Interestingly, Bhutanese Buddhism actually came from Tibetan Buddhism. It was said that by the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche, a famous Indian saint, visited Bhutan from Tibet to spread Buddhist teachings among the early Tibetan tribes that later formed distinct Bhutanese communities.

It was not until 1616 that Ngawang Namgyal, a Tibetan lama, united the country and made Drukpa Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism Bhutan’s official religion. Unlike Tibet, not all Bhutanese are Buddhists, many descendants of Nepali migrants are Hindu.

The welcoming Bhutanese monks in Thimphu.

Different Locals’ Life between Tibet and Bhutan

Although both Tibetans and Bhutanese are devout Buddhists, they follow slightly different Buddhist traditions in their daily lives.

In Tibet, local Tibetans’ lives center around practicing Tibetan Buddhism, gaining merits for the next life, and spreading blessings to all beings. As you travel in Tibet, you can see devoted Tibetans making full-body prostrations on Barkhor Street, walking the kora clockwise around holy monasteries, mountains, and lakes while spinning Tibetan prayer wheels and chanting Buddhist mantras. It’s their unique way of worshiping Buddhist deities, expressing their faith and sincerity.

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In Bhutan, locals are a bit more subtle and introverted and with customs and a culture that is more founded on the family unit. Rather than grand pilgrimages, Bhutanese people often participate in smaller, local rituals in Bhutanese Dzongs, and festivals like Tsechu, which is celebrated in every district.

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Bhutanese are proud of their famous Gross National Happiness philosophy, which shows that “rather than focusing on wealth alone, Bhutanese government prioritizes the well-being and happiness of its people.” You will find that locals are quite content with their lives, both materially and spiritually. Besides, Bhutanese are experts in handicrafts, embroidery, and archery, Bhutan’s national sports.

Local Bhutanese engage in archery for relaxation.

Tibetan Festival VS Bhutan Festival: Tibet Has Diverse Festivals, Bhutan Known for Tsechu

Most of the traditional festivals in both Tibet and Bhutan are related to Buddhist traditions and legends. The difference is that Tibetan festivals are marked by large-scale pilgrimages and rituals, and Bhutanese festivals, in contrast, are more intimate community gatherings that emphasize Buddhist teachings and social bonds.

In Tibet, the top four festivals are the Saga Dawa Festival (May/June), the biggest Tibetan festival that celebrates the date of Sakyamuni’s enlightenment and entry into nirvana. During the Saga Dawa Festival, ceaseless flows of pilgrims will walk the kora around the holy Mt Kailash in Ngari (western Tibet), where the Tarboche prayer pole is raised each year.

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Besides, the Shoton Festival (Yogurt Festival, August) in Lhasa, and the Horse Racing Festival (July to August) in Gyantse, Damxung, Nagqu, and Losar (Tibetan New Year, Feb/March) are also a great time to immerse yourself in vibrant and colorful Tibetan celebrations and savor local delicacies.

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In Bhutan, the most dramatic festival is the Tsechu, dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. A series of religious dances will be performed by monks and laymen dressed in colorful costumes and painted masks for days. The most famous Tsechus are the Thimphu Tsechu (Sep/Oct) and Paro Tsechu (Feb/March). Locals will gather at Dzongs for a kind of carnival atmosphere.

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Tibetan Food VS Bhutan Food: Bhutanese Food Is More Spicy than Tibetan Food

Tibetan food reflects the harsh plateau climate and geography. The highland barley is the staple of the Tibetan diet. Common cuisines involve Yak meat, and mutton, Tibetan momo, and Tibetan noodle soup “Thenthuk” with ingredients like potatoes, cabbages, and turnips.

You can taste authentic Tibetan food and snacks in a local Tibetan Teahouse. It will not only be a food taste tour but also a local cultural experience for your Tibet tour. BTW, for religious reasons, fish is not eaten in Tibet.

Our travelers enjoy local Tibetan food in Lhasa.

In Bhutan, you will be surprised to find that the rice is red with a nutty taste. It is a Bhutanese’ staple. Besides, Bhutanese cuisine is known for its use of chilies as the main dish, such as Ema Datshi (chilies and cheese). Red rice, pork, fish, and beef are common ingredients, often cooked with spicy sauces.

The iconic Ema Datshi is eaten by Bhutanese as the main dish in Bhutan.

Top Highlights Difference between Tibet and Bhutan

Compared with Bhutan, Tibet is more readily available to global travelers by flight, train, or overland routes.

(Left-click to enlarge the map)
Tibet can be easily accessed from different directions shown on a map.

Due to the proximity to Nepal, you can take non-stop flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa in 2h. The flight is run by Himalaya Airlines on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Alternatively, you travel overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa via the Gyirong Border. This epic overland ride takes you across the Himalayas to Shigatse and Lhasa in 8 days with a brief stopover at Tibet Everest Base Camp to enjoy the jaw-dropping Himalayan view.

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Other popular ways to reach Lhasa are from major Tibet gateway cities in inland China, such as Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, and Kunming. You can board the domestic flights or take a scenic Tibet train to Lhasa. As a local Tibet travel agency with offices in Kathmandu, Lhasa, and Chengdu, we also offer avid road trip lovers diverse thrilling overland and self-drive tours from Chengdu to Lhasa, together with local experts and backup services.

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To reach Bhutan, for the majority of travelers, you need to take a non-stop flight from Kathmandu to Paro. The flight is exclusively run by Druk Air, the national airline of Bhutan. For Indian travelers, you can cross overland borders at Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Gelephu to enter Bhutan from its south.

The flights from Tibeta and Nepal to Bhutan on the Map.

Different Travel Policy between Tibet and Bhutan

In Tibet, all overseas travelers can only visit Tibet via a guided Tibet tour with a local Tibet travel agency like us. Besides, you have to apply for Tibet Travel Permit, which we offer free processing for our guests, to legally board the flight or train to Lhasa. Besides, If you enter Tibet from Nepal, an additional Chinese Group Visa is also needed.

A Sample of Tibet Travel Permit.

In Bhutan, individuals can apply for tourist e-visa online and foreign nationals also have to book a package tour for Bhutan visit, except Indian nationals.

Additionally, since the government promotes the “Low Volume, High Value” policy, Bhutan prefers high-quality visitors and charges a minimum tariff of US$250 per day. So, it may not be a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Different Costs for Traveling in Tibet and Bhutan

The cost of traveling in Tibet depends mainly on how long you will stay and where you will go and different travel seasons. Tours in Tibet can cost as little as US$ 500 and as much as several thousand.

However, this does not always include your accommodation and meals and never includes your transport to the plateau. What it does include is the cost of the tour guide and driver, the private vehicle, and the tickets to the various attractions you will visit.

Besides, since each attraction lies far away from the other in Tibet, the transportation fee accounts for a large sum of Tibet travel expenditure, the most budget-friendly way is to join the Tibet small group tours where you can share costs with global travelers or choose the Winter Tibet tour, the off-season of Tibet travel with huge discounts in flights and hotels.

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In Bhutan, you need to pay a minimum amount of US$ 250 per day for the daily cost of a tour, which is known as the Minimum Daily Fee (MDF). In the low season, the MDF drops to just US$ 200 per day, to promote tourism in the low season months.

However, unlike Tibet, the MDF in Bhutan covers everything on your tour, including hotels, dining, guide service, transport, entrance fees, and sustainable development fees.

Additional expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and room service are not included, nor is the usual tip for the guide/driver. The Minimum Daily fee does not have to be just 250 dollars though. As it says, it is the “minimum”, so you can arrange a tour that costs more per day if you can afford it.

10 Days Classic Bhutan Himalaya Tour

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Plan Your Tour to Tibet and Bhutan with Us Now

So, with a distinct Buddhist culture, landscape, and history, Tibet and Bhutan are not interchangeable and each can be a great choice for travel. It all depends on your interests, budget, and schedule available.

If you are still torn between Tibet and Bhutan, a feasible solution is to travel overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu and catch flights to Paro to explore Bhutan. So, you can experience the charms of both Tibet and Bhutan.

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As a local Tibet travel agency with offices in Kathmandu, Lhasa, and Chengdu, we offer you one-stop services for processing Tibet and Bhutan travel permits, hotel booking, local transfer, local experts, local driver, and more, ensuring you an immersive and seamless travel experience in the Himalayan region. Please, feel free to email us to customize your trip to Tibet and Bhutan.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the decision between visiting Tibet or Bhutan depends on the type of experience you're seeking. Tibet is ideal for those drawn to Himalayan adventures, ultimate pilgrimages, and immersive spiritual experiences. Bhutan, in contrast, offers peaceful and idyllic scenes, with pristine nature and a more gentle approach to travel. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to email us for free and expert travel solutions. Cheers!