In brief
In November 2026, over 40,000 volunteers in Bhutan built 108 Buddhist stupas in a single day as part of a project to create Gelephu Mindfulness City, a new economic hub aimed at keeping young people in the country. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck hailed the effort as a success and highlighted plans to attract green technology, tourism and cryptocurrency mining investment.
In a massive overnight effort on Sunday, November 1, 2026, more than 40,000 volunteers gathered in the small town of Gelephu, near Bhutan’s Indian border, to construct 108 15‑metre‑tall Buddhist stupas in a single day. The stupas, a sacred Buddhist monument, were placed along 12 km of riverbank as part of the newly announced Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The project, which culminated in a ceremony attended by about 200,000 people—nearly a quarter of Bhutan’s 800,000‑strong population—was launched by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. In his speech he said, “I was worried that raising 108 stupas in a single day might not succeed. But everything went successfully, and for that, I am truly grateful.”
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck also highlighted the city’s goal of building a vibrant economic hub. The plans for Gelephu, which was a 10,000‑person town 240 km (150 mi) south of the capital Thimphu, include investment in green technology, tourism and even cryptocurrency mining, according to Al Jazeera.
In a speech following the ceremony, Nima Gyeltshen, 65, head of the Organisation for Youth Empowerment, remarked that the event would be recorded “in our history for generations to come.” He added that the new city aims to persuade more young people to stay in Bhutan, addressing unemployment and demographic challenges.
Officially established as a special zone by royal charter in 2024, Gelephu Mindfulness City is designed by Danish architects and is intended to combine Bhutan’s commitment to Gross National Happiness with the country’s drive for broader economic growth.
