{
  "id": 17607755,
  "title": "Bhutan builds 108 stupas for mindfulness city in tourism push",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/bhutan-builds-108-stupas-for-mindfulness-city-in-tourism-push",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T13:30:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3372902/bhutan-builds-108-stupas-mindfulness-city-tourism-push"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Sunday, tens of thousands of volunteers in Bhutan constructed 108 towering Buddhist stupas, as part of the kingdom's ambitious \"mindfulness\" city project. These 15-meter tall monuments, situated along a 12-kilometer stretch near the Indian border, symbolize a physical manifestation of prayer in stone and earth. The endeavor, initiated after midnight, was overseen by Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who expressed gratitude for the successful completion of the project.\n\nThe monumental undertaking was witnessed by approximately 200,000 people, around a quarter of Bhutan's population of just under 800,000. Bhutan's unique policy of prioritizing Gross National Happiness alongside economic growth drives the push for the city. The aim is to boost the economy, attract young talent to the country, and promote sustainable business, green technology, education, tourism, and financial services.\n\nThe King established the special zone in 2024, envisioning the city as a \"vibrant economic hub\". Bhutan grapples with a declining birth rate and a mass exodus of young people seeking opportunities abroad. The 108 stupas, each over 10 times the height of Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza, represent a significant investment of approximately US$21 million.\n\nWhile some analysts question Bhutan's ability to attract sufficient investment for the vision, local support remains strong. Farmer Thukten Tshering, 71, who participated in the construction, expressed enthusiasm for his involvement in the spiritual activities. Cryptocurrency ambitions further bolster the city's prospects, as Bhutan plans to leverage surplus hydropower for bitcoin mining and utilize digital assets to support the city's development.",
  "summary": "Tens of thousands of volunteers helped raise 108 Buddhist stupas in Bhutan on Sunday, marking the Himalayan kingdom’s ambitious plans for a “mindfulness” city aimed at driving economic growth. The 15-metre tall solid towers – sacred Buddhist monuments found across the Himalayas – stretch along 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) of riverbank near the Indian border, at the site of the future Gelephu…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Bhutan's 'mindfulness' city takes shape with 108 Buddhist stupas",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/bhutans-mindfulness-city-takes-shape-with-108-buddhist-stupas",
        "published": "2026-11-01T07:29:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Thousands build 108 Buddhist stupas for Bhutan’s ‘mindfulness’ city",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/thousands-build-108-buddhist-stupas-for-bhutans-mindfulness-city",
        "published": "2026-11-01T09:09:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}