Tibet Favorites

  Lhasa Bank of China ATM
by MikeySoft
 
  • Lhasa Bank of China ATM
      Lhasa Bank of China ATM
    by MikeySoft
  • Mt Qomolangma in the evening
      Mt Qomolangma in the evening
    by Helga67
  • Jokhang Temple
      Jokhang Temple
    by reeya
  • Yamdrok Tso
      Yamdrok Tso
    by reeya
  •   Favorites
    by reeya
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

How to see Tibet

by melosh

Your choice of how to visit is probably the most important decision you have to make: Unless you have a lot of money, or the rules have changed radically since May, you have no real choice. The Chinese government requires you to be on an organized tour. You can not travel by public bus outside of the cities. (I do not think you can even do this with a paid licensed guide. I have never even heard of this as a possibility.) You can not even visit inside any of the sites in Lhasa without a licensed guide. You have two choices: either take a "private" tour either individually (you have lots of money) or with others who join you to share the expenses including driver, vehicle and guide; or take a "standard or packaged tour". Over the several years that I was trying to go to Tibet agencies mentioned trying to help me join with others in a customized tour, but in the end they just said that I...

Weather & general tip

by kroy1811

thanks !it was a great and breathtaking trip.. contrary to what others say visiting during winter is recommended -- it was not as cold as one might think, in fact weather is much better than Shanghai at that point in time :)with warm sun and all. yes, the altitude sickness is there, but only during night time and in 2-days it'll be gone in no time amidst the euphoric emotions whilst there :)if ever come back to tibet, will remember your tip above !Oh yes, recommend to visit the Anglamedo restaturant -- spend most nites in Lhasa there ..

Tibet - Group Travel is essential

by axelebert

Independent travelers are allowed in Lhasa and Shigatse or so. But those big cities have nearly lost all flavor because of the strong Chinese influence. To visit real Tibet you need a trip on its own, bringing you to the East (Shangri-La) or West (Tibetan Plateau, Guge, Kailash), and for this special permits are required (very expensive), group travel is mandatory and also recommended because you need reliable cars, to camp at night, enough food, most important a good crew! There are many checkpoints on the way, and even with all the permits you might end up with a corrupt policeman, in our case simply stating our lorry was overloaded. He did not let us pass, but our crew had connections to the authorities, this guy received a phone call 5 Minutes later, became quiet and we could continue our journey. To meet the people and talk in silence is my most overwhelming memory from Tibet....

Tip Photo
Land of Rivers

by Helga67

I was amazed by the number of rivers and lakes that you can find in Tibet. I never thought that at such altitude there is so much water.Tibet has about 365 rivers, of which the Yarlung Tsangbo river is the "cradle' of the Tibetan people. It is also the highest river in the world.

Tip Photo
The Himalayas

by Helga67

In the south of Tibet lies the world youngest but highest mountain range: the Himalayas. This range of snow-capped mountains forms a breathtaking view after driving for many hours through dessert and rocky landscape.

Tip Photo
Assembly Hall

by Helga67

In a monastery the Assembly Hall is the spiritual center of the lives of the monks. It is mostly a dark place with banks for the praying monks.The walls are painted with scenes from the life of Buddha, other religious subjects or with representations of holy places. The framework is finely scuplted and painted, and columns decorated with colourful fabrics.At the end of the hall, you can find Buddhas statues, Boddhisattvas and other deities, like Songtsen Gampo, Tsongkappa, Rimpoche, ... Often the hall is surrounded by small chapels.The monks gather here several times a day for prayers. They chant the sacred texts accompanied by the sound of tibetan horns, drums and bells.

Tip Photo
Required permits

by Helga67

First of all you need to know that permit regulations can change from day to day. It all depends on what is going on in Tibet or China at that moment. Anno 2007 you cannot enter and travel around Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) without a Chinese visa and the necessary permits.To enter Tibet you will need a TTB (Tibet Tourism Bureau) permit. This permit can be bought at a Chinese travel agency (however, only in combination with a flight or train ticket). Chengdu and Xining are the best places to buy the permit. You cannot book a flight or sometimes train ticket without the permit. You will never receive the original permit, which stays at the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa, but do ask your Chinese travel agent for a copy (in case you won't get one ask for the references of the Lhasa travel agency that helped your Chinese travel agent to get the permit, so you can tell whomever asks about...

Tip Photo
Yaks

by Helga67

Yaks are long-haired oxes that live on high altitude. They are very important in Tibet. People eat their meat, drink their milk, make cheese and butter for yak tea. The skin is dried to make boats and their fur is used for cloths and blankets.

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Mount Qomolangma

by Helga67

Until I visited Tibet I had no idea that Mount Everest is just the name that the western world gives to the highest mountain in the world. It's real name is Mount Qomolangma.This mountain, with its 8,843 metres, is the highest peak of the Himalayas and is located on the border between Tibet and Nepal.Did you know that this mountain is still rising? About 3 to 12 mm per year! Most of the time the peak of the mountain is surrounded by clouds. The best time to see the peak is early morning or just before sunset.

Tip Photo
Need to join a tour to visit Tibet?

by MyHollyDay

No, definitely do not need to join a tour to get into tibet. There will be plenty of travel agencies to choose from once you arrive in Lhasa if you preferred a tour. Prices are less expensive and the itinaries are a lot more flexible too.There are reasons in joing a tour though. If you have limited time but want to get in as many itinary as possible, a tour can save you headache in having to find your own transportation vs. everything prearranged by the tour; the when what how are all listed, all you have to do is show up very early (most tours leave 7am) in the morning. Do expect lowered quality of site seeing experience. For example: By regulation, an organized tour can only spend 1 hour in the Potala Palace, where as we spent 3 hours wandering in the Potala and still did not finish seeing everything.

Related Tibet Favorites Tips

Top 3 Hotels in Tibet

Yak Hotel  Lhasa

 8 Reviews and 61 Opinions  This is a supposedly 3 star hotel but why remains a mystery. We stayed there for 2 days on our... 

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Gyantse Hotel  Gyangze

 2 Reviews and 29 Opinions  The hotel's official rating is ***, which did mean it was pretty basic - and so it was (it would not... 

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Kyichu Hotel (Jiqu Fandian)  Lhasa

 1 Review and 65 Opinions  I stayed at this hotel in February 2007. The beds were hard, but that's normal in China. They had... 

 Hotels in Lhasa

66 Hotels in Tibet
 
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Reviews and photos of Tibet attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Tibet sightseeing.

Experience Tibet
Favorites: Cities in Tibet
  1. Lhasa Favorites
  2. Gyangze Favorites
  3. Xigaze Favorites
  4. Xegar Favorites
  5. Yamzho Yumco Favorites
  6. Zhigung Favorites
  7. Nagarze Favorites
  8. Lhaze Favorites

More Cities in Tibet

 

Questions and Answers

YWLTP profile photo

Q:  I am planning a trip of a life time and have two years to do so… so first I want to get some ideas from seasoned travelers and... 

GrumpyDiver profile photo

A: If you want to hike or bike, Tibet (which is stunning, by the way) is probably not going to work out. The Chinese government will only issue permits for people to enter... 

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