Though read and heard the story of Siddhartha Gautama many times, nothing compares to hearing it from a natural storyteller and practicing Buddhist like Sonam Zam, property manager at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel in Paro, Bhutan. The timeless story comes to life with these beautiful original wall paintings that illustrate the Buddha's life with ornate color and detail. The Zhiwa Ling shrine was reconstructed from 450 year old timbers reclaimed from Bhutan Gangtey Goemba Monastery and is available to all guests seeking a thoughtful, peaceful refuge. Culture is a real luxury, and like so many National Geographic Lodges, Zhiwa Ling highlights the truth of Bhutan by preserving the traditional Buddhist temple inside its own walls.