The majority of Bhutias live in Sikkim, while a significant number also reside in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of northern West Bengal and in countries such as Nepal and Bhutan.

Many, fearing the same fate as their Red hat brethren, fled southwards towards Sikkim and Bhutan, migrating through the different passes in the Himalayas.

Bhutia aristocrats were called Kazis after similar landlord titles in neighboring regions, especially in modern-day Bangladesh.

Among the Bhutias, the Lachenpas and Lachungpas have their own traditional legal system called the "Dzumsa" which means the meeting place of the people.

Traditionally, the Bhutias were divided into two groups: (i) Tondu rus-shi, within which they have four rus, namely, Chechutharpa, Shangdarpa, Kachopa, and Shengapa.

(ii) Beb tsen gye, which includes eight rus, namely, Gensapa, Namchangopa, Chungiopa, Ithenpa, Phenchungpa, Phenpunadik, Namanpa, and Nachangpa.

The traditional outfit of Bhutias is the Kho (similar to the Tibetan Chuba), which is a loose cloak like garment fastened at the neck on one side and near the waist with a silk/cotton belt.

On the front, a loose sheet of multicolored woolen cloth with exotic geometric designs is tied, this is called the pangden which is a symbol of a married woman.

In Sikkim, during the festival of Losoong, often dance forms depict narrativized tales from the life of Padmasambhava or Guru Ugyen.

Bhutia people traditionally eat rice with animal-fat-fried vegetables or meat, usually pork or beef, and occasionally mutton or chicken.

[5] Within the Dominion of India, the Bhutias as recognized as Scheduled Tribes in the states of Sikkim, West Bengal and Tripura.

[6] On August 26, 2015, during her visit to Darjeeling, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, announced the formation of a separate development board for the Bhutia community.