Reasons Why You Should Travel To Tibet

If you’re traveling to Tibet in the near future, there are a few things that you will want to make sure that you absolutely do not miss. Tibet is a land that has a rich history and culture that has survived and thrived despite years of Chinese rule. Today, the monasteries are active again (albeit with limitations), and Tibet itself is home to some of the world’s most friendly and open people.

• Lhasa is the traditional capital of Tibet and the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). It contains some of the most culturally significant Buddhist temples, monasteries, and sites in the world, including the Potala Palace, the traditional residence of the Dalai Lama, Jokhang Temple, and Norbulingka palace.

• Gyantse – This is a small mountain village that has, thus far, escaped much Chinese influence and retained much of its traditional architecture.

• Nam-tso Lake – One of three holy lakes in Tibet, this is the highest salt water lake in the world. If you go during the summer, you can spot wild yaks, hares, and other animals.

• Shigatse – This city is the home of Tibet’s second highest Buddhist incarnation, the Panchen Lama who sits at the Tashilhumpo Monastery. The monastery itself is worth seeing—built in 1447 under the supervision of the first Dalai Lama, this is the home to a 73-foot bronze statue of Qiangba Buddha, the largest of its kind in the world.

• Mount Everest – If you’re not up for climbing the tallest mountain in the world, you can still get some spectacular views from Rongphu Monastery, the highest monastery in the world.

When taking a Tibet tour, you should keep a few things in mind.

• First, support local hotels and businesses where possible. If you stay in Chinese-owned hotels or frequent Chinese-owned restaurants, you may be supporting low wages and unfair working conditions for Tibetan workers.

• Second, take altitude sickness seriously. There’s a reason that Tibet is known as the Roof of the World, and altitude sickness strikes indiscriminate of how physically fit you are. Take it slow, especially for the first couple of days.

• Third, take your time and talk with the locals. Many are happy to swap stories, but be cautious and respectful, not pushy.

• Fourth, plan on taking your time. Buses and roads in Tibet are often in disrepair, so you may not get anywhere fast.

Tibet is a land that is extremely rewarding to travelers of all kinds. Whether you are planning a visit to Tibet by itself or as part of some larger China tours, be sure to take your time and drink in the experience.