Views of Bhutan, the "Forbidden Kingdom"
Surrounded by powerful neighbors China and India, Bhutan - a country situated in the Himalayas - has been called the Forbidden Kingdom.
Pictured: An ornate statue of a Buddhist goddess resides at a traffic circle in Thimphu.
Traffic
A policeman on duty at a roundabout in Thimphu, Bhutan's capital and largest city, located in the valley of the Raidak River. Population: Under 100,000.
Hidden away for centuries amid the soaring majesty of the Himalayas, Bhutan has made massive shifts over the centuries, from feuding warlords and serfdom to a monarchy founded in 1908 ... to a democracy, as decreed by the king, in 2008.
Monk
A Bhutanese monk.
Thimphu
A busy street scene in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Ornamentation
A traditional wood carving, typically found on building exteriors in Bhutan. By royal decree, even new buildings must be decorated with traditional carved wood and mythical creatures.
Traffic Cop
A patrol officer on duty at a traffic circle in Thimphu.
Bhutan had one stoplight, but people thought it was too modern, so they took it down -- change does not come quickly here ...
Call
... except, that is, when it comes to cell phones, which are now everywhere.
Modern LIfe
Bhutanese women on cell phones.
Still, Bhutan is careful to preserve its cultural identity; there are no global franchises like McDonalds, Burger Kings or Starbucks here.
Mother and Child
A Bhutanese mother carries her child on her back.
All Smiles
Children in Bhutan.
Sport
An archery tournament in Paro, Bhutan. Archery is Bhutan's national sport.
Archer
A man participate in an archery tournament in Paro.
Musicians
Musicians play at an archery tournament.
Cheerleaders
Women attend an archery tournament to cheer on the participants.
Street Scene
Residents relax in Bhutan.
Portrait
A Bhutanese man.
Buddha
A sitting Buddha statue in Thimphu.
Prayer flags
Prayer flags in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Prince Dasho
Bhutan's Prince Dasho Jigyel (center) with CBS News producer T. Sean Herbert and correspondent Barry Petersen.
Traditional Garb
Barry Petersen models a traditional Bhutanese men's robe, called a Gho.
Trek to Tiger's Nest
Riding on horseback to the Tiger's Nest Monastery near Paro.
Trek to Tiger's Nest
Shooting the horseback ride up to the Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Tiger's Nest
Paro Taktsang Monastery (also known as the Tiger's Nest), a complex of buildings and caves on the cliffside of the upper Paro Valley in the Himalayas. Originally built in the 17th century on a sacred Buddhist site. it is Bhutan's number one tourist attraction.
Tiger's Nest
A closeup view of the Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan.
Tiger's Nest
A CBS News crew shoots a standup on an overlook at the Tiger's Nest Monastery. Elevation: About 10,200 feet.
Prayer Wheel
A Bhutanese mother and child at a prayer wheel.
Candles
Candles burn in a temple in Bhutan.