In brief
On November 1, 2026, tens of thousands of volunteers erected 108 15‑metre Buddhist stupas in a single day along the riverbank near the Indian border, celebrating a milestone for the newly conceived Mindfulness City. The project, driven by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and supported by Danish architects, aims to boost Bhutan’s economy, attract investment in sustainable industries, and keep young people in the country.
In the quiet border town of Gelephu, a three‑hour event unfolded that could shape Bhutan’s economic future. Beginning at midnight, more than 40,000 volunteers hauled sand, bricks, and beams to construct 108 Buddhist stupas along a 12‑kilometre stretch of riverbank, culminating in a ceremony that drew an estimated 200,000 attendees—nearly a quarter of the nation’s 800,000 people.
Each 15‑metre (50‑foot) stupa, a sacred monument in Himalayan Buddhism, sits as a physical prayer in stone and earth, the volunteers insisted. The number 108, an auspicious figure in Buddhist tradition, symbolizes the completeness of the path. The stupa built on the nullification of the royal charter in 2024 has already become the centerpiece of the proposed Mindfulness City—a planned economic hub that integrates green technology, tourism, education, and even cryptocurrency mining.
The project was envisioned by Bhutan’s monarch, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, as a multi‑pronged strategy to reverse a crisis of unemployment and low birth rates that have prompted many young professionals to seek opportunities abroad. In a speech at the ceremony, the king 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."
He emphasized that the stupa procession would “record in our history for generations to come.” The king’s vision is to transform a town of 10,000 residents into a hub for sustainable business and “vibrant economic activity” as he explained to the crowd.
Architects from Denmark contributed to the urban planning, crafting designs that honour the country’s core value of Gross National Happiness while integrating state‑of‑the‑art green infrastructure. The planners intend to fill the downtown core with solar arrays, biogas plants, and rain‑water harvesting systems that will support local enterprises and provide reliable electricity for any future cryptocurrency mining operations.
“The green technology sector is a growing trend worldwide,” said Nima Gyeltshen, 65, head of the Organisation for Youth Empowerment. The body worked alongside the national government in organising the volunteer effort and will monitor the outcomes of the emerging city.
Local tourism officials hope the new city can capitalize on the cultural significance of the stupas and the surrounding landscape. “Visitors to Gelephu will have the chance to experience a unique blend of spirituality and modern sustainable practices,” one official mentioned. The city’s designers have earmarked sections for educational institutions that will train the next generation of conservation scientists and green‑tech engineers.
In recent years, several central Asian countries have experimented with cryptocurrency mining as a revenue source, citing the abundance of renewable energy. Bhutan’s involvement is believed to align with its environmental stewardship ethos, with some experts suggesting the project could serve as a model for responsibly harnessing digital currencies.
While the scale of the operation was astonishing, critics highlighted the logistical challenges: sourcing enough building materials, scheduling volunteer shifts, and coordinating between federal and local authorities. Nevertheless, the successful completion of the 108 stupas has already demonstrated operational capacity and community mobilization, offering a benchmark for similar initiatives.
The government announced that the 12‑kilometre riverbank will be designated a protected zone, to preserve biodiversity and prevent downstream pollution. The measures are part of the broader “Vision 2030” plan, which seeks to merge economic growth with Bhutan’s environmental values and keep the country on a path to climate resilience.
As the citizens of Gelephu return to their lives, the new Mindfulness City will stand as a testament to collective effort and a tangible step toward a future where prosperity and planetary health go hand in hand.
