Know Before You Go

Bhutan & Nepal Trivia

Do you know the national animal of Bhutan or what World Wildlife Fund is doing to protect natural habitats in Nepal? Take our quiz below to put your knowledge to the test, then share it with your family and friends to see who knows the most about these ancient lands! When you're finished, scroll down to reveal the correct answers and explanations.

Answer Explanations:

Expand All

Bhutan is known as the:

Correct Answer: Land of the Thunder Dragon

Explanation: The Thunder Dragon is significant in Bhutanese mythology. The lightning bolts from violent thunderstorms that descended into Bhutan's valleys from the Himalayas were said to be the fire of dragons. The Bhutanese flag depicts a "Druk" or Thunder Dragon holding jewels, which represents wealth. Sri Lanka is the "Teardrop of India," Japan is the "Land of the Rising Sun" and Mongolia is the "Land of the Blue Sky." Photo Credit—Rachel Kramer

Chitwan, Nepal's first national park, is famous for having one of the last populations of:

Correct Answer: One-horned Indian rhinoceros

Explanation: Chitwan is a refuge for the one-horned Indian rhino, and the park boasts the world's second largest population.

Photo Credit—Golden Langur: Doniv79 [CC BY-SA 2.5] via Wikimedia Commons

This Bhutanese festival features environmental conservation-themed dramas, dances and folk songs to generate awareness of an endangered species:

Correct Answer: Black-Necked Crane Festival

Explanation: The Black-Necked Crane Festival is perfect for nature lovers. It celebrates the winter arrival of this endangered bird. Tihar is the Hindu festival of light in Nepal. Teej is a women-only festival that welcomes the monsoon season in Nepal and celebrates the love between the Hindu goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Thimphu Tshechu is one of the largest religious festivals in Bhutan and features masked dances performed by monks in vivid robes.

The Kyichu Lhakhang temple in Bhutan was built to:

Correct Answer: Subdue a demoness

Explanation: One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang is one of 108 temples constructed across the Himalayas in 659 B.C. by the emperor of Tibet Songtsen Gampo. Legend says the structure pinned down the left foot of a giant demoness who lay across the lands of Bhutan and Tibet, thwarting the spread of Buddhism.Photo Credit—Rachel Kramer

What is considered the national dish of Nepal?

Correct Answer: Dhal Bat

Explanation: Dhal bhat is a traditional meal of lentil soup and rice. Thukpa is a Tibetan noodle soup, while momos are a South Asian dumpling. Newah Bhoye is a feast of traditional foods used for family gatherings and weddings, given by the Newah ethnic group of the Kathmandu Valley.

Fun Fact: Ema Datshi, a stew of cheese and chiles, is the national dish of Bhutan! You might like to wash it down with a soothing cup of yak butter tea.

Photo Credit—Dhal Bat: Subhashish Panigrahi [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons; Thukpa: Amanbedi1 [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons; Newah Bhoye: Rajivkilanashrestha [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons

The national animal of Bhutan is the:

Correct Answer: Takin

Explanation: The takin is featured in a popular Bhutanese myth from the 15th century, where it got its designation as Bhutan's national animal. The shaggy, hoofed mammal is related to the muskox.

Fun Fact: Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. Photo Credit—Takin: Rachel Kramer

The famous Bhutanese temple pictured below is known as:

Correct Answer: Tiger's Nest

Explanation: Paro Taktsang, better known to travelers as the "Tiger's Nest," is a 17th century temple that clings to a cliff face 3,000 feet above the valley floor. In Bhutanese mythology, a tantric mystic bringing Buddhism from India arrived here on the back of a flying tigress.

Nepal contains the world’s highest mountains:

Correct Answer: True

Explanation: Eight of the ten tallest peaks in the world are located in Nepal. This mountain range, known as the third pole, includes Everest, which rises to 29,029 feet.

What is Bhutan's national flower?

Correct Answer: Blue poppy

Explanation: Once thought to be nothing but myth, the blue poppy is a rare flower that grows on the mountainsides of Bhutan, blooming only during June and July's monsoon season. The rhododendron is Nepal's national flower, while India's is the lotus. The plum blossom is the national flower of China, while the blue water lily is the national flower of Sri Lanka.

Photo Credit—Derek Ramsey and Chanticleer Garden [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

This is the only country to measure Gross National Happiness:

Correct Answer: Bhutan

Explanation: Unique among countries, Bhutan's philosophy is to measure the collective happiness of its citizens, as it is believed this is a great indicator of the nation's overall well being. Photo Credit—Rachel Kramer

WWF is helping to conserve natural habitats in Nepal by:

Correct Answer: All of the above

Explanation: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is helping to conserve natural habitats in Nepal by empowering locals to become leaders in conservation through women's empowerment and the support of sustainable sources of income, such as those generated by ecotourism. WWF also is connecting 11 protected forest areas in the Terai Arc region to provide wildlife corridors for rhinos, elephants and tigers. Lastly, the NGO is aiding governing bodies and communities manage the forests, streams and wildlife of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape, tapping into the spiritual beliefs and conservation ethics of local people to restore habitats and conserve endangered species.

Know Before You Go