In Bhutan, national happiness more important than GDP

The 450-year old Gangtey Gonpa monastery in the upper Thimphu Valley in Western Bhutan, is built like a fortress with a central tower enclosing temples and exterior walls that house monks cells. Photo: Alexandra Reynolds/AP

Prayer flags whip in the wind, flying across steep valleys and roads. Buddhist temples, stupa shrines and majestic fortresses called zhongs dot the Bhutan landscape. Giant water-powered prayer wheels spin from tumbling falls.

Farmers tend yaks.