12 Countries With Stunning Landscapes That Most Tourists Skip

5. Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La

Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas between China and India, Bhutan remains one of the world's most pristine and spiritually significant landscapes, earning its reputation as the "Last Shangri-La." This carbon-negative kingdom maintains over 70% forest coverage by constitutional mandate, creating a landscape where ancient monasteries perch on cliff faces above valleys filled with rhododendron forests and traditional farmland. The Tiger's Nest Monastery, clinging impossibly to a cliff face 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley, represents the harmony between human spirituality and natural beauty that defines Bhutan's approach to development. The country's policy of "Gross National Happiness" over Gross Domestic Product has resulted in sustainable tourism practices that limit visitors to preserve both cultural authenticity and environmental integrity. From the subtropical forests of the south, home to tigers and elephants, to the alpine meadows and glaciated peaks of the north, including Gangkhar Puensum, the world's highest unclimbed mountain, Bhutan offers incredible biodiversity within a relatively small area. The landscape changes dramatically with elevation, from terraced rice fields and traditional villages in the valleys to pristine alpine lakes and snow-capped peaks that reach over 24,000 feet. Bhutan's "high value, low impact" tourism policy limits visitors to around 300,000 per year through a daily fee system, ensuring that this Himalayan kingdom remains one of the most unspoiled and authentic destinations for those seeking both natural beauty and spiritual enrichment.