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You’ll see soldiers all around Lhasa. They were kind to us when we asked our way, but a soldier is always a soldier. First thing to know about them: Don’t take their photos. They can take you camera or even arrest you.First, we didn’t fully understand the situation. Then we started to see soldiers on rooftops, surveillance cameras on narrow alleys between buildings. We even saw them as a nightmare that night.
Lack of oxygen is can be a real issue in Tibet. Try to move around at 1/2 to 1/3 of your normal pace for the first week that you are around. It does get better over time. Bring your favourite headache remedy too. There is a chance you will need it.Try to stay at lower altitudes for a few days before travelling to some of the higher elevations, like Nam_Tso or Mt Everest.
I don't want to get political, but this is a travel problem pertaining to politics as well as culture, and both affect our travel. I was going to go to Lhasa and Urumqi this year, but I don't know that I can any more. So I hope I can at least provide some cultural insight, from the perspective of an unbiased foreigner in China...Very little real information for you. What seems to have happened, though you probably know now, is that the Tibetan monks had a peaceful protest for someone who was jailed or whatever years ago- asking for his release. As almost always happens with protests, the peaceful nature falls apart when the police arrive, locals get involved, tempers flare and rocks start getting thrown. Then the police act, people start getting really hurt and killed, then riots break out and looting. Foreign media was kept out. Tourists' SIM cards confiscated, I heard, email shut down....
Of course you know you have to ask the price in advance to avoid to be ripped off.But after being some while in Tibet ,having bought zillions of cups of tea , you think you know the price of a cup of tea and you can trust the Tibetan person...Wrong : I ended up paying 5 times more for a cup of tea in a teashop at the entrance of the Nam-Tso area.So much for not asking and yes trusting.....
When arriving at the lake we saw 2 young German tourists , pretty sick due to the high altitude.They went to the lake immediately after arriving in Tibet.In the daytime its very hot and the sun doesn't shine ...the sun burn there !At sunset it get extremely cold and the temperature drops like 20°c.We even got a sandstorm for free...it's a beautiful scenery but come prepared when you want to stay the night there.
You want to visit the Nam-Tso lake : home of the nomads who never seen a tourist before ;))You ask your driver to stop so you can take a picture of a nomad tent.Better hurry up if you think to take a picture for free cause the owner comes rushing to you to claim his copyright!
Around the Jokhang it is crowded with souvenir shops.In 1 of the bigger shop I watch someone buy a thanka , he asked for a container to ship it safely.The sales person took then thanka under the counter and putted another thing in the container.Came up , gift wrapped it all and gave it to that person.I don't know what was in the container but definitely NOT what that person purchased .
if you are going to visit nam-tso for a day trip (not staying overnight), here's something to consider:when you see this sign - which is right at the entrance of the zigzag road that goes to nam-tso lake - make sure you visit the toilet/loo on the other side of the gate. it's pretty much the last you'll find. i didn't see any while i was at the lake which is at least 45 minutes away. there could have been a makeshift one somewhere there in the campgrounds but i didn't go that far. so better be sure, right? considering that you'll want to spend at least an hour or two at the lake plus the 45 minute drive back, that's at least 3 hours without a toilet/loo - especially because it'll be biting cold and the winds will be blowing like crazy, that's a pretty long time, huh?besides, when you get to the lake, you'll want to spend the whole time taking in the spectacular views. the last thing you...
Be aware that Tibet is a police state. Chinese police or undercover Ethnic Tibetans are always in the neighbourhood. It's not advised to have political discussions with local Tibetans or your guide. It can bring them in problems. It is also illegal to bring pictures of the present Dalai Lama or the Tibetan Flag into Tibet.
As Tibet lies at an average elevation of 4,000 m, the air is thin, there is a low atmospheric pressure and little amount of oxygen. When you first arrive at this altitude, you will probably (95% of visitors) have a hard time as your body is trying to adjust to these new conditions. The appearance of this physical adjustment is the so-called high altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS). Symptoms are: headache, short breath, vomit, insomia or light sleep, palpitation, chest pain. The symptons will disappear after a couple of days.Take it easy your first two to three days and drink lots of water. Move slowly and take deep breaths.
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...
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...
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...
Reviews and photos of Tibet attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Tibet sightseeing.
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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...
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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