Bhutan

Thimphu is Bhutan’s capital and largest city, home to the royal government at Tashichho Dzong. It’s famously one of the only capitals without traffic lights—police officers direct traffic from ornate booths—making it a memorable seat of power in the Himalayas. The other options are important Bhutanese towns but not the capital: Punakha was the old (winter) capital and hosts the stunning Punakha Dzong; Paro has the country’s only international airport and the cliffside Tiger’s Nest monastery; Phuentsholing is the busy border gateway to India. Memory tip: “Thimphu runs the kingdom”—think “Thimphu = ‘thumbs-up’ capital,” while Punakha preserves tradition, Paro welcomes visitors, and Phuentsholing trades at the frontier.