Tibet Things to Do

 
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Barkhor Square, Lhasa

by mad4travel

This is a great place to sit and people watch. Unfortunately there is nowhere to sit so you have to sit on the ground.The Barkhor is the main square and surrounding streets in Lhasa and the only real traditional tibetan part of town as it is surrounded on all sides by wide chinese boulevards and chinese shops.There is a tourist market in the surrounding streets and stals for pilgrims to buy their religious artefacts. You are expected to bargain if buying from the stalls. On the whole you don't get too much hassle from the stallholders but the odd one can be a bit aggresive dragging you by the arm to their stall. I had to hit two on the arm to get them off of me, but this was an exception rather than the rule.There is quite a police presence in the square, this is because the authorities actively discourage gatherings of Tibetans for fear of protests.

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Jokhang Temple

by mad4travel

The Jokhang,is a famous Buddhist temple located on Barkhor Square in Lhasa.For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet.Along with the Potala Palace, it is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Lhasa. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace" and a spiritual centre of Lhasa.Jokhang temple was constructed by King Songtsän Gampo in 642.This temple has remained a key center of Buddhist pilgrimage for centuries. It was sacked several times by the Mongols, but the building survived. In the past several centuries the temple complex was expanded and now covers an area of about 25,000 sq. meters.The Jokhang temple complex has several decorated shrines and rooms. The main hall of the temple houses the Jowo Shakyamuni Buddha statue, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism. There are also famous...

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Potala Palace, Lhasa

by mad4travel

The Potala Palace in Lhasa was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India after a failed uprising in 1959. The construction of the present palace began in 1645 under the fifth Dalai Lama, Lozang Gyatso. In 1648, the Potrang Karpo (White Palace) was completed, and the Potala was used as a winter palace by the Dalai Lama from that time. The Potrang Marpo (Red Palace) was added between 1690 and 1694. The name Potala is possibly derived from Mount Potalaka, the mythological abode of Bodhisattva Avalokiteœvara. There are some theories suggesting that Potala derived its name from the Sabarimala temple in South India. The Potala Palace was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Built at an altitude of 3,700 m (12,100 ft), It dominates central Lhasa. It also means that it is quite a climb to get to the entrance, which is hard work if...

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Norbulingka Summer Palace

by mad4travel

Norbulingka served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas from the 1780s up until the chinese takeover in the late 1950s.The park was built by the Seventh Dalai Lama beginning in 1755, and became the summer residence during the reign of the Eighth Dalai Lama.The earliest building is the Gesang Pozhang Palace built by Kelzang Gyatso. The 'New Palace' was begun in 1954 by the present Dalai Lama and completed in 1956. It contains chapels, gardens, fountains and pools. To the west the Kalsang Potang built by Seventh Dalai Lama is "a beautiful example of Yellow Hat architecture. Its fully restored throne room is also of interest.The gardens are a favourite picnic spot and provides a beautiful venue for theatre, dancing and festivals, particularly the Sho Dun or 'Yoghurt Festival', at the beginning of August, with families camping in the grounds for days surrounded...

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Inside the Monasteries

by mad4travel

A lot of the monasteries in Tibet have a similar layout inside. There is often a main chapel containing benches for the monks to sit during chanting and prayers. This will be festooned with rich wall hangings and banners in various shades of red plus statues of various Buddhas and the ubiquitous yak butter lamps (although there is now a move to paraffin wax which is cheaper)There are also side chapels, again containing numerous buddhas where pilgrims come and give money or top up the yak butter lamps.As you get charged to take photos its worth taking a few pictures in a couple of monasteries and then just take pictures of the outsides as they all tend to look the same after a while.

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Samye Monastery

by mad4travel

The Samye Monastery is the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet, constructed in approximately 775 AD under the patronage of King Trisong Detsen of Tibet who sought to revitalize Buddhism, which had declined since its introduction by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. Samye Monastery is laid out on the shape of a giant mandala, with the main temple representing the legendary Mt. Meru in the center. Other buildings stand at the corners and cardinal points of the main temple, representing continents and other features of the Buddhist universe.The main temple is full of Tibetan religious art in both mural and statue form, as well as some important relics. Many Tibetan Buddhists come on pilgrimage to Samye, some taking weeks to make the journey.Samye Monastery was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution and renovated beginning in the 1980sAt midday the monks congregate for...

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Crossing the river to Samye Monastery

by mad4travel

To get to the Samye Monastery you have to cross the Yarlung Tsangpo river. Considering you can see the monastery on the other side of the river you would think its a fairly quick journey.Unfortunately due to currents and sandbars it can take up to an hour and a half to weave your way across. The boats just have wooden seats and no cover if it rains. Its also wise to go to the loo before you get on (not that there are any toilets nearby, you have to go up one of the many gulleys that come down from the hills.)At the other end you can be picked up by jeep or tractor and then its a very bumpy and dusty half hour drive to the monastery. Its worth it when you get there though.

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Outside the City

by Irised_sky

We had been the lake, and the highest altitude is 5,000, be aware of Acute Mountain Sickness, two of my friends they are not feel well in tibet and spent few days in bed.We rent a car is about RMB250, the guys put the ad on the noticeboard of the hostel. But after that we found it can be cheaper, search more info can save more $.

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Debating Class of the Sera Monks

by tremendopunto

At the Sera Monastery, on the outskirts of Lhasa, you can enjoy the daily debating classes every afternoon. A big number of monks come together and discuss their philosophical and religious standpoints. Each argument is stressed by clapping with your hands. Most of the times it is a one-on-one, sometimes there are two or even three monks discussing with only one opponent. In the end they reach a uniting conclusion.Really fascinating!

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Around Tibet

by we2364

The following routine is highly recommended for travelling around Tibet.To Tibet(from mainland):Flight to Xining(the capitical city of Qinhai province) and take the train to Tibet. This will allow you to gradually adapt to the high lantitude(if you have any worry or concern to this). Out Tibet(to mainland)Chuan Zang Road:There are lots of travellers looking for partners in Lasha. Fortunately, we found two local Chengdu travellers whom are willing to share their landcruiser (price can be neogotiated). It can take around 7 - 8 days to drive from Lasha to Chengdu(as we stopped in different locations). We drive on ChuanZhang Road(connecting Tibet and Sichuan province) and enjoy fabulous sceneary on the road (it's more recommended as different kinds scenary can be viewed on the road).DianZang Road:You can also choose to drive through DianZang Road(connecting Tibet and Yunan province).XinZang...

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

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Things to Do: Cities in Tibet
  1. Lhasa Things to Do
  2. Gyangze Things to Do
  3. Xigaze Things to Do
  4. Zetang Things to Do
  5. Yamzho Yumco Things to Do
  6. Samyai Things to Do
  7. Zhigung Things to Do
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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... 

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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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