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Top 10 Things to Do in Tibet

Top 10 Things to Do in Tibet

Written byCarol WangUpdated Jan. 19, 2022

Tibet, the roof of the world, is every traveler's dream. The land keeps its centuries-old traditions, mysterious religious culture, and untouched pure natural scenery.

Below are thetop 9 attractions to see and things to doin Tibet according to their popularity and accessibility.

1. Explore the Potala Palace

Potala Palace Potala Palace

The Potala Palaceis asymbol of Tibet. The majestic white and red building complex, set against green mountains and blue sky, is an iconic image of theRoof of the World. Thefifth Dalai Lamarebuilt this palace and it became the winter home of Dalai Lamas from 1649.

After the14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the palace has been more like a museum. Itcontains 1,000 roomswith precious sculptures, Buddha statues, murals, antiques, and religious jewelry housed within.

你们每一个ar the Potala Palace's walls are paintedfor the celebration of theBuddha’s Descending Festival在22日9日,th month of theTibetan calendar(November 15 in 2022).

You can see aninteresting sceneof a group of men on ropes climbing down the outside wall of the Potala Palace like spiders during that period.

The good news is that thePotala Palace is free from entrance feesduring the winter, from December to February. Entrance tickets need to bebooked at least 5 days beforevia a travel agent, though, so pleasesend us an inquiryto tailor make a trip to visit the Potala Palace.

2. See the pilgrims at Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street

the Pilgrims at Barkhor Streetthe Pilgrims at Barkhor Street

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No Tibet tour would be complete without visitingJokhang Temple. It was built to house alife-sized sitting statue of Sakyamuni. It is the place Tibetan pilgrimsfrom all over Tibet have made their spiritual focal point for getting blessings from Sakyamuni.

你可以见证藏人walking a circuit around Jokhang Templewhile spinning prayer wheels with their hands.

They prostrate themselves on the ground in worship after every few steps. Whether you are a Buddhist or not, you can appreciate their reverence and faith, as you respectfully make theclockwise circuityourself.

Most travelers stroll aroundBakhor Streetafter a visit to Jokhang Temple. Allow plenty of time to explore the local shops. All shops on the street close early in the evenings.

Jokhang Temple isfree of charge in winter(December to February), see our4-Day Lhasa Highlights Tourfor an expertly planned way to explore the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor street.

RecommendedTibet Tours:

3. Set Eyes on the World’s Tallest Mountain

Everest Base Camp

In any trip to Tibet, there is nothing more sublime thanMount Everestitself.Everest Base Camp(EBC) is the closest place to the actual mountain that travelers can reach without a climbing permit.

At the lodging area in EBC, which has been moved back to aroundRongbuk Monastery, you canhave a night campwhere you can see the sunrise onEverest’s peakif weather permits (the clearest months are April, May, September, and October).

Everest Base Campis almost700 km(400 miles)from Lhasaand can be journeyed to by a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, with two overnight stays recommended en route.

On our8-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour, you wouldstart from the holy city, Lhasa, and explore beautiful and holyYamdrok Lake, a magnificent glacier, splendidTashi Lhunpo Monastery, and remote Tibetan villages on the way to Everest.

EBC is at analtitude of 5,150 m(16,900 ft), so, if you have asthma, high blood pressure, or similar conditions you are suggested to consult your doctor before traveling.

It isusually perfectly okay for ordinary peopleto travel to Tibet, including seniors or kids. The youngest Tibet traveler we served was 7 years old and the oldest was 83 years old.

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4. Camp with a Nomadic Family on Their Pasture

Galai Villageis a beautiful Tibetan nomad village, which is a4-hour drive from Lhasa. Local people make their living by growing barley and raising yaks.

Walk around beautiful Galai village, say hello to the villagers, and visit alocal Tibetan's houseto discover the authentic rural life of Tibetan people. In the evening, you willcook and have dinner with the local Tibetan family. Sleep in a tent right by the nomads’ tent.

This experience is only offered insummer(June to August), as it may be too cold at night at other times, and the scenery is not so good either.

5. Watch monks debate at Sera Monastery

Watching monks debate their scriptures atSera Monasteryis a highlight considered not-to-be-missed by many travelers.

Themonks in their traditional red robesgather at the monastery courtyard every afternoon. During a辩论, they may jump up or make many other interesting gestures. It is really interesting to watch.

Note that the monk debatesdon't take place on Sundays. If you118bet金博宝app , your travel advisor and Tibet guide will always be flexible in changing your itinerary to make sure you won't miss this highlight.

Monks Debate Scriptures at Sera Monastery Monks Debate Scriptures at Sera Monastery

If youfancy hikingto Sera Monastery, you can start fromPhabongka Monastery, which is on a mountain near Lhasa city. The total length of the hike is about 13 km (8 miles) and takes about 6 hours.

Our7-Day Tibet Hiking & Camping Tourincludes thehike from Phabongka Monastery to Sera Monasteryand acamping experience in Galai Village.

6. Visit Samye Monastery, the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism

Samye Monasterywas the first monastery built in Tibet and the place whereTibetan Buddhismwas established. Inside the monastery, there are numerous frescos, sculptures, and prayer wheels.

The monastery is set in a valley surrounded by barren mountains and sand dunes.Thesceneryaround is austerely striking.

Hikingfrom Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery is one of the most popular adventure trips in Tibet.>>Read more onGanden Monastery to Samye Monastery Trek

Send your inquiryto tailor-make a trip to visit Samye Monastery

7. Experience Tibetan Incense Making

There is a smallTibetan villagein Lhasa prefecture that is famous forproducing hand-made Tibetan incense. In the village, local people still follow the traditional way to make incense.

Tibetan Incense Making

You can learn about the differentmaterials usedand the method used to tell their quality. You can alsoexperience the processes, such as grinding paste, kneading paste, and shaping.

Burn the incense sticks you make and enjoy the fragrance and a peaceful moment that the incense brings.

与我们旅行,例如在我们的8-Day Tibet Tsedang, Shigatse, and Lhasa Tour, and we will enable you to explore the Tibetan incense village.

8. Gaze at the Beauty of Lake Yamdrok

Breath taking scenery of Lake Yamdrok Breathtaking scenery of Lake Yamdrok

Resting at analtitude of 4,800 meters(16,000 ft),Yamdrok Lakeis about a3-hourdrive from Lhasa. It is one of thebiggest freshwater lakesin China, and one of the threesacred lakes of Tibet, along withLake NamtsoandLake Manasarovar.

Lake Yamdrok is said to be able tohelp Tibetans find the reincarnated soulof the Dalai Lama. It is also the largest habitat for waterbirds in Tibet, attracting countless swans and gulls.

If your travel schedule allows, you can journey2 hours by car along Lake Yamdrokto get to a small lamasery, which is regarded as theloneliest lamaseryin Tibet. It is on a small island with a causeway and has a history of 700 hundred years.

Our5-Day Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tourwill offer you an enjoyable way to see Lhasa’s highlights and a lakeside picnic near Tibetans’ holy lake.

9. Walk on a Charming Blue Glacier — In Winter

你们每一个ar, particularly inJanuaryandFebruary,blue ice lakesare a unique scene in Tibet.Laigu Glacieris one of the places where you can see blue ice. It is in Rawok District, 750 km (450 miles) from Lhasa.

In winter, you canwalk across frozen Rawok Laketo get close to the glacier tongue. If it is sunny, thehuge ice blocksappear to be a charming blue color. It is amazing to have a photo in a blue ice cave.

FromMarch to Mayand fromOctober to December, you will see ice blocks on the glacial lake.June to Septemberis the rainy season. Then the view of the glacier is not so impressive. It is suggested to avoid this period.

10. Take a Mount Kailash Yatra (Pilgrimage Walk)

Mount Kailash Yatra

SacredMount Kailashis located in the remoteNgari regionof western Tibet and is believed by Hindus andTibetan Buddhiststo be the center of the world.

你们每一个ar, pilgrims travel all the way there for a yatra(pilgrimage) and a kora (a worshipful walk around the mountain). Thestarting pointfor Mount Kailash kora is a small town calledDarchen, which is about 1,200 kilometers (700 miles) from Lhasa.

Usually,3 days are neededfor a Kailash pilgrimage walk from Darchen, with the lowestaltitudebeing 4,675 meters (15,340 feet) and the highest 5,648 meters (18,530 feet).>>Read more onMount Kailash Yatra.

No matter whether you are religious or not, aKailash or Lake Manasarovar yatrais a once-in-a-lifetime challenge just waiting for you to undertake. We can give you a helping hand.

Check out our14-Day Tibet Tour including Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

Explore Tibet with China Highlights

If you are interested in traveling Tibet, please see our popular tours below for inspiration:

Not interested in the above tour? See more popular118bet金博宝app , Ortailor-make your own unique tourby telling us your interests and requirements. We will help you design a perfect trip.

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