Tibet: An Overview

Itinerary ideas It's not possible to fly internationally into Tibet, so most likely you will come from China. One of the best ways to travel in is by train. The train starts in Beijing, but you can also hop on in Xian or Chengdu. Once in Lhasa you'll want to spend a few nights here to acclimatise to the altitude. After that a great route is to travel along the friendship highway into Nepal. Along the way you'll see some of the best sights that Tibet has to offer, including Gyantse, Shigatse and Sakya. It's also worth deviating off the friendship highway for a night near Mount Everest – be sure to get up early to watch the sunrise! If you're not keen on travelling into Nepal, you could travel along the friendship highway to Sakya and Everest Base Camp then head back to Lhasa via Shigatse and Nam Tso. National Parks A must-see national park has to be Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, home to the Tibetan side of Mount Everest. Access to the Park is almost always by jeep and you'll be set back around 10 per person and 45 per vehicle in entrance fees. There is one guest house with very simple, but cosy accommodation (think squat toilets and no showers) and also nomad-style tents a little closer to base camp. Another National Park in Tibet is Yarlong River National Park, which contains the world's largest canyon, the Yalung Zangbo Canyon. The park is not on the general tourist radar and is relatively uninhabited. City Guides Lhasa – The capital of Tibet, there is plenty to see and do in Lhasa. As the most accessible part of Tibet, there are tons of restaurants, hotels and shops which all cater for travellers. A visit to Lhasa would not be complete without a trip to the awe-inspiring Potala Palace. The admission fee is steep and the restrictions high, but it's well worth the hassle! Another must-see is the Jokhang Temple, which is almost constantly frequented by Buddhist pilgrims from all over Tibet and China. Step inside and soak up the spiritual atmosphere. Just outside Lhasa are the Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Be sure to head to Sera just after 3pm and you'll witness the monks debating. You'll most likely need to spend a fair few days in Lhasa to acclimatise to the altitude anyway, so if you're feeling a bit templed out, head to the kora circuit around the Jokhang temple for stalls galore. Shigatse – The second largest city in Tibet, Shigatse also has a fair amount on offer for tourists. The most important site is the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas and a highly important site for Tibetan Buddhists. The city itself is quite small, so it's easy to have a wonder around and check-out the market stalls by yourself. Gyantse – Gyantse remains one the least Chinese-influenced cities and has a rich cultural heritage. Most sites can be seen on foot although taxis are available. Must see sites include Pelkor Choede Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum, situated in the same complex. Kumbum in particular has a very Nepalese feel. If you have some free time and fancy getting off the regular tourist trail, head up into the hills and visit the Gyantse Nunnery. A tiny Buddhist nunnery littered with prayer flags and huge prayer wheels, it has an incredible community feel. Tibet Tours – Top 10 Experiences Exploring the old backstreets of Gyantse Soaking up the spiritual atmosphere in Lhasa's Jokhang Temple Watching the monks debating at Sera Monastery just outside Lhasa Visiting Everest Base Camp Travelling along the Friendship highway by jeep Overlooking the azure-blue waters of Yamdrok-Tso Sampling yak meat momos Climbing the steps of Gyantse Kumbum Visiting the Potala Palace in Lhas The smell of yak-butter candles at Drepung monastery Tibet: An Overview is a post from: Traveling China from Traveling China http://www.chinaya.org

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