The traditional Bhutanese arts and architecture are unique. They are highly decorative and ornamental. The genius of Bhutanese art is best expressed in frescoes and paintings. Bhutan’s thangkas and mandalas depict an artistic skill and a rare exquisite fineness. The mandala or mystic circle represents the Buddhist concept of cosmology of the universe. The statues are made of wood, stones, bronze, coral, pearl and other expensive materials, which depict fine craftsmanship of the Bhutanese artists. There are 13 aspects of Bhutanese arts and crafts known as Zorig Chusum which includes shinzo (woodwork), dozo (stonework), jinzo (clay craft), lugzo (bronze casting), parzo (wood, slate and stone carving), lhazo (painting), shagzo (wood turning), garzo (black-smithy), troeko (silver and black-smithy), tsharzo (bamboo and cane craft), dhezo (papermaking), thagzo (weaving), and tshemzo (tailoring).

Architecture is also a significant feature of the Bhutanese identity. Dzongs (fortresses), Lhakhangs (temples), Goenpas (monasteries), Chortens (stupas), palaces, bridges and traditional Bhutanese houses that can be seen across the countryside form the diverse but harmonious architectural expressions of the cultural heritage and living traditions of the Bhutanese people. The traditional Bhutanese architecture is a class of its own exhibiting its own elegance and grandeur.