The City With No Traffic Lights

In a world where modern cities depend on traffic lights and automated systems, Thimphu — the capital of Bhutan — stands out as an extraordinary exception. It’s one of the only capital cities in the world without a single traffic light, and instead, relies on a graceful traffic police officer to direct cars at its busiest intersection — the Main Traffic Circle.

The main traffic circle sits at the busy junction of Norzin Lam, Thimphu’s central avenue lined with shops, banks, cafés, and government buildings. Just a short walk from Clock Tower Square, this intersection is a crossroads for both locals and tourists.

Instead of red, yellow, and green signals, traffic in the capital is guided by a uniformed traffic police officer, who stands inside a traditional wooden booth at the center of the circle.

Using elegant hand gestures, white gloves, and a deep sense of rhythm, the officer guides cars, taxis, and buses with the grace of a dancer. It’s a display of discipline, harmony, and human interaction — something you’d rarely witness in other parts of the world.

Thimphu briefly installed traffic lights back in 1995, but the experiment didn’t last long. Locals found the robotic lights impersonal and unfit for their city’s character. They complained it disrupted the flow of communication and trust between drivers and police.

As a result, the government quickly removed the lights and reinstated the beloved traffic officers. It’s a classic example of Bhutan choosing human values over technology — a decision fully in line with its Gross National Happiness philosophy.