My entire life could be summed up with this phrase: “Oh My God! I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into!” This is pretty much the definition of an adventure. An adventure requires going beyond your limits and your known experience.

I wanted to try something different when I was choosing a trek in Nepal. There are three major areas that the Kingdom of Nepal offers to wandering foreigners. The most popular is the “Annapurna Trek” in western central Nepal. It’s fantastic by all reports. The second most common is the “Everest Base Camp Trek”. Naturally hiking to Everest has a romantic appeal. The last is a little known and rarely traveled path to Tibet called “Langtang”.

Langtang, a valley winding through small Himalayan villages and leading to an ancient mysterious Monastery of Kudzon Gompa at 12000 feet on the border of Tibet. Hmmmm, sound appealing. I pride myself on ‘going native’ and try to rework the maps to end up in some mischief along the way. Sometimes I’m a little too successful at this.

My girlfriend Kirsten and I purchased a map at a long trekking store in Kathmandu and tried to come up with a plan. It turned out there were some very remote and untraveled paths even in Langtang (an approved trekking area). We would begin at a small village called Dhunche. It appeared that there were a few paths from this small Himalayan rock village that head the back way to the Langtang Khola (river) and follow it to the Tibetan border. Perfect!

DAY ONE: THE HIMALAYAN EXPRESS

We took a rickety local bus from the obscure Kathmandu station (no more then a little shack) at 6AM the next morning and began the slow winding accent toward the mountains. This part of the journey took 12 hours through numerous police check points (to look at our trekking permits) and continue through some dusty small villages.

The bus was a colorful mobile shrine. On the front was a painting the Eyes of Buddha, Mantras (sacred words), and the Hindu Elephant Deity Ganesh. He has many attributes, but protect of traveler and remover of obstacles is his primary power. What could be better for a bus? Inside the driver had photos of various Hindu saints Ramana Maharishi, Sai Baba, plus a few Deities for balance: Laxsmi & Krishna.

We were smashed in with a few too many people who also brought along their chickens, pigs, and many other items from a Kathmandu Valley shopping spree. It was one of the world’s scariest roads: one lane, dirt, with 1000 foot drops two feet from edge of the bus with no guard rail. If you could brave a peak it was enchanting with rice fields terracing every hill. Prayer flags were adorning small stupa temples places magically at the top of each small rounded peak. This was a great initiation into to trust your destiny when you have absolutely no control over it.

It was dusk when we arrived in the Himalayan Village of Dhunche. The bus driver was incredulous about our departure in this small remote stop and that made us a little nervous too. A cold shiver of anticipation rippled up my spine as I left the security of my hard bus seat and entered the rock village to find a guest house for the night.

We were the only travelers in town and the friendly locals directed us to what someday (when they finish building it) might be a guess house. Fortunately, the bare concrete block room in the construction site had a sort of hard futon bed with thin sheets and rock like pillows. We paid a dollar for it and then became painfully aware of the inadequacies of our gear.

You see, we were not planners. We’re spontaneous adventures. We had a couple of summer weight sleeping bags, sneakers and some thick Yak wool sweaters. My jacket was from an army surplus and my backpack from a thrift store. We were not the geared up olympic mountain team that we would see later on the same trail. We were just a couple of people realizing what kind of gear they would like to buy when they get back!

For some bizarre reason, the Himalayan houses do not have a chimney. Instead, to stay warm in the winter they fill the room with smoke and have strategically placed holes in the side wall for the smoke to blow out. Not terribly efficient or cozy. Honestly, I don’t get it. I daydreamed about bring the new technology of chimney here someday. What a revolutionary vision!

Our room didn’t have an hearth or fire smoke, but they had already created the holes in the walls so the frigid night breeze could refresh and invigorate us (practically to death). Needless to say, some vital innovation was needed. We put on all the clothes we had and laid both sleep bags on top of ourselves to try and stay warm. It was mid November and we were at an elevation of 6138 feet.

As night descended in earnest it got dark. This was no ordinary dark. It was darker then dark. It was a dark that needs new words to describe the absent of light. There was no one, no where, with even a candle burning. Mountain people go to bed early and by 8PM there was an omnipresent silence and darkness. That’s when we discovered our flashlight didn’t work.

It was a cheap small travel flashlight and somehow it got turned on in the backpack which drained the battery. I guess you could call this the flip side of spontaneity.

What to do? I thought we could get by without a flashlight, until an hour later when Kirsten announced she had to pee. This improvisational concrete room could not by any means offer a toilet near by. In fact, I don’t believe there was one within the building at all.

We never realize in our cozy daily life the amazing creativity of the mind and it’s mystical capabilities until times of crisis. Kirsten bravely got out of bed and somehow found what I can only guess must have been a paint mixing can and did the necessary. It truly was a small miracle.

Hence forth, we carried a new official trekking plastic water bottle known as the pee bottle. It was definite more essential then the flashlight or all manner of other useless accessory gear. Even today, I doubt if it is offered by REI camping stores, but I can assure you all experienced Himalayan women travelers have created a portable potty.

To be continued in a few days…

I am the original Himalayan Trader. I go to Asia to do adventure travel, meditation, & trading. The Himalayan Traders is from the ‘Small Is Beautiful’ lifestyle philosophy. In Buddhist thought, Right Livelihood is considered essential for the layman’s spiritual path. As a Buddhist layperson, I have tried to embody this ideal through The Himalayan Traders.

To support the intreped spiritual wandering I have created the Himalayan Traders (http://www.himalayantraders.com) Most of our goods come from the Royal Kingdom of Nepal. In ancient times, large parts of Nepal were Tibetan territories, so the cultures are blended quite alot. The mountain people are generally Buddhist while the people of Kathmandu valley are a mix of Buddhist & Hindu.

In 1959, and thereafter many Tibetan refugees came to Nepal to escape the invasion of Tibet by China. The Tibetan refugees have worked hard and created new homes and businesses in Nepal. We buy directly from these Tibetan people and the various other ethnic peoples of Nepal. Most of our suppliers are small family businesses and craftsmen. There are no child laborers and the prices paid for goods provide a comfortable livelihood for these people.

One of the Buddhist beliefs that I adhere to is that we are all evolving together and everything is interconnected. For this reason, it is good to share some of the responsibility for helping society. In an effort to give some support for Buddhist study, we are sending up to 50% of our profits to support Tibetan people and Relief Projects of compassion.

COME SEE US AT http://www.himalayantraders.com

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When planning such a trip, we first shall leave 2 to 3 days in Lhasa, not only for sightseeing there but also for high altitude acclimatization. Most people will not have any problem with the high altitude after some rest. During sightseeing in Lhasa, we should at least include the most beautiful splendor in Tibet – Potala Palace and the Tibetan spiritual center of Jokhang Temple. If the time permits, we usually shall have one day exploration to the Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery to get a glimpse of how Tibetan monks live or study there. Then we will drive out of Lhasa for other places of the route.

As part of the road to Gyantse is under reconstruction now, our next stop would be Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. There is the Tashilumpo Monastery which stores the biggest copper Buddha statue in the world. The old town of Shigatse is also very interesting just like that of Lhasa. You may find some special souvenirs in the local market as well.

The next day we can either drive to Gyantse for a visit (approx. 180km back and forth) or skip Gyantse and drive forward to Ronbuk Monastery. The Shigatse-Ronbuk is a long trip of around 350km with the most difficult part in the last 100km. Ronbuk Monastery is the highest monastery in the world and only 8km from the Mt. Everest Base Camp. Upon arrival, we would be able to enjoy the glorious evening scenery of Mount Everest in distance. Overnight we usually stay at the Ronbuk Monastery guesthouse.

And in the next early morning, we will walk or take a carriage forward to the Mount Everest Base Camp.As we know there is very limited time to view the true face of Mount Everest in a year, many people feel it is already an unforgettable experience when just being with this highest mountain in the world..After enjoy the morning scenery of Mount Everest, we will get back to Tingri or forward to Shigatse depending on our last stop to Zhangmu or Lhasa. .

This Mount Everest Base Camp tour requires at least 7-8 days including that for high altitude acclimatization in Lhasa. The prime time for it shall be from May to October though it is available throughout the year except some snowing days in February (and raining days in August for the Friendship Highway to Kathmandu). Some tourists told us that they feel they changed to another person after the trip. I guess this might be because they experienced something really very unique in life.

Sherry Jia, experienced Tibet travel advisor from http://www.toursoftibet.com, a local travel agency based in Lhasa with an office in Chengdu, Capital of Sichuan Provice in China handling all on-line inquiries regarding a private tour to Tibet and China. For the detailed day-to-day itinerary of this Mount Everest Base Camp trip in Tibet, please visit our http://www.toursoftibet.com/docc/TP.html.

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The architecture demonstrated in many of the Tibetan temples is awe inspiring to say the least. One such example is the Drepung Monastery, located in the west of Lhasa, the country’s capital. It is a massive formation which some say resembles a whole city, and has intricate designs which from above could be said to resemble the scales of a fish in uniform rows. It is a grand spectacle for the eye!

At the heart of the temples is Buddhism, and as such they were considered a place of learning with pages of scripture which are there and actively studied even today. A place of reverence and contemplation, many temples still house the monks who live there.

The temples are the center of their world and are normally circular in design and have many three or four storey buildings encompassing the palace at the center, called the ‘Cuoqin’. This means a place of gathering or an assembly hall and is again of grand proportions, allowing for literally thousands of monks to come together and chant scriptures.

Many structures were designed to represent the basic principles of their belief. The square is a popular structural choice. The corners represent the four truths wheel of Dharma, and the use of heavy decoration with curtains and colors provides an air of mystery and intrigue and are used to shroud the palaces, adding a feeling of darkness. This is only lifted by the sight of the shining golden statue of Buddha bringing his metaphysical light to the darkness of the world.

Whatever aspect of these temples appeals to you, it is certain to say that you will find a greater understanding of the Tibetan culture and belief that rules the hearts of the Buddhists.

It should definitely form part of your holiday itinerary if you are going to be in Tibet. You will relish the experience and take away glorious memories.

Shane Marden is an Australian photographer and author of the coffee table book Child of Tibet. He loves telling stories and is passionate about freedom. Shane also runs a website on Tibet.

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With an unlimited options to embark on Lhakpa Ri mountaineering expedition in the off the beaten track style, you kickstart your expertly guided journey with a leisurely stay in Lhasa. Indulging and savoring the sheer pleasure of sightseeing legendary Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple, colorful Barkhor Markets, Drepung Monastery etc, you experience the best of Lhasa. Highly professional, trained and experienced Tibetan guide companies you during the entire trip. The journey continues further with an adventure-packed leisurely 4WD drive via Lhasa- Shigatse- Xegar-Rongbuk along Friendship. En route, you encounter monasteries, several 5000+ meter high mountain passes, nomadic settlements, pristine hamlets and nomadic herdsmen. Throughout this tour, unbeatable sights of mountain giants like mighty Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Shisapangma and many other numerous peaks surround you. Exploring the topographical features of the Tibet side of Mount Everest along Rongbuk Glacier ascending towards Base camp, Camp I, Camp II and finally camp III at 6340 meter, you attain maximum physical fitness and acclimatization for climbing Lhakpa Ri peak.

Explore Himalaya fosters truly rewarding Tibet mountaineering expeditions which since more than decade bear a successful unbeatable track record of endorsing not just complete travel satisfaction and cherishing travel experience but also a deeper understanding and connection with Tibet mountain range, its culture and people. Being mountaineer-friendly for its straightforward glaciated ascents, Lhakpa Ri mountain climbing requires a relatively high level of commitment and conditioning. When it comes to your safety, interest, desire and pleasure, we remain forever at your service.

We organize expeditions to Lhakpa Ri on departures dates and on private basis as well. We offer the best service for a very reassonable price. Please contact us to get more information about our services in Tibet.

Julien Van Loye

Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure

julien@explorehimalaya.com

Bhagwahal Bahal, Thamel

Kathmandu, Nepal

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First off, foreigners must join a tour group in order to visit Tibet. Second, Tibet itself seemed much more developed than the places we had just seen in Qinghai and Sichuan.

For example, the hotels were much better and the roads were nicely paved and not pockmarked with potholes. Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet, seemed clean and orderly and caters to tourists with its many restaurants, sites and souvenir vendors. The scenery also seemed much larger: brighter sun, bigger mountains, more snow capped peaks and skies that are clear and blue. Temperatures can be warm during the day and then cold at night. The Tibetans that live here are different from the Kham Tibetans we encountered in Qinghai and Sichuan; the attire and language are very different.

Here’ my rundown of the top ten sites in Tibet.

1. Potala Palace

Located in Lhasa, this was formerly the residence of the Dali Lama. It’s the centerpiece of the city and Tibetans from all over come to do the walk around the outside of the palace in prayer. The tour brought us inside and we learned about its history. We were required to walk up many many flights of stairs along the outside wall to reach the main buildings at the top (not an easy task if not yet acclimated to Lhasa’s elevation). The views from the top of the palace are also spectacular as you can see all of Lhasa below with the snow capped mountains in the background.

2. Qomolangma, aka Mount Everest

Our tour took us to the Qomolangma base camp where we camped in a tent. The amenities were basically an outhouse, a stove that burns yak dung, beds with wool blankets and boiled water provided by the hosts.

The first day we were there we couldn’t even see the mountain due to cloud cover.

Miraculously, as we were leaving the next day the clouds cleared just enough to get some great photos of Qomolangma. The visit had its tough moments however. The base camp sits at 6000m elevation, and we hiked two km to the Rongphu Monastery which resides in a small village.

The monastery is known to be the highest monastery in terms of elevation. The hike was a little difficult for some of us due to the altitude. The night in the tent was also challenging because the strong gusts of wind and the cold temperatures. Our hosts had been diligently filling the stove with yak dung to keep the fire burning while we were awake. Unfortunately, nobody instructed us on how to keep the fire burning throughout the night, and it didn’t take long for the stove to burn out, the temperature going way down.

3. Jokhang Temple

Built in the fifth century AD, this temple in Lhasa houses Buddhist statues that were part of the dowries brought by the wives of Tibetan king Songsten Gampo.

Although many artifacts were damaged or destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, some of the oldest statues were hidden and therefore preserved.

Many Tibetans come to this temple to pray. People on the outside pray on the sidewalk. On the inside, Tibetans carry flasks of oil to help refill the burning oil candles. This temple is special to Tibetans and many come from very far to worship.

4. Barkhor Square

This is the centerpiece of the old city, and is adjacent to Jokham Temple. The square is full of vendors and shops selling traditional Tibetan clothes, jewelry and other goods.

We found it to be a good place to walk around and browse the many different things for sale. If you want to buy anything you must negotiate hard however.
The merchants can be aggressive and know how to get their price.

We also ate at a Nepalese restaurant here and found the food to be tasty and similar to Indian food.

5. Shigatse

Shigatse is Tibet’s second largest city. Tashilhunpo Monastery is in Shigatse and houses many statues of Buddhas and spirit towers. Spirit towers act as shrines and tombs for past lamas.

The monastery is traditionally the seat of the Panchen Lama who would rule over “back Tibet” or the western part of Tibet.

While at the monastery, we were lucky to get a rare glimpse of monks practicing a traditional spiritual dance. The dance is done to music from several long bugle-like horns.

6. Glaciers

During our many long drives around Tibet, we were able to see some spectacular scenery. Because we traveled through many mountainous areas, we were able to see many glaciers. Some even spanned several mountain tops.

One amazing glacier was at Milha mountain, where we stopped for a short break during one of our long rides. We were able to see the glacier up close. The place also must have been a very spiritual area given all the prayer flags.

I was surprised that even in a remote location, like near a glacier in a mountain pass, there would be beggars asking for money. The area must be well known for tourists stopping to take photos of the glacier. In any case, it helped that I had been carrying a bag of candy.

Whenever a child or elderly person approached, I simply handed out a piece of candy to each of them. Usually, they were happy to get something and went on their way. Always remember to hand out the pieces yourself. I made the mistake once of opening the bag and letting the kids pick a piece, only to have one boy nearly grab it all.

7. Gyantse

When we drove into Gyantse, something looked familiar. Along a mountain range that cuts through the city is a wall that slightly resembles the Great Wall.

Then, at the top of the mountain is a palace that seemed like a smaller version of Potala Palace. We didn’t get a chance to climb up to the palace, but instead visited the Pelkor Chode Monastery. Then we visited the Gyantse Kumbum Stupa, which is a six level tower with a golden dome on top.

The tower contains many rooms with old paintings. The name Kumbum means “100,000 images.” The view of the city from the very top floor is very impressive and above the doorway at the top is a painting of Buddha’s eyes. These eyes are symbolic and represent wisdom of Buddha.

8. Baji Cypress Reserve

One part of the tour took us to the southeast part of Tibet, known as the Nyingchi area. The landscape is much different from the rest of Tibet.

This area is lower in elevation and therefore is very green and full of trees. The Baji Cypress Reserve is a park that houses many 2000-plus year old trees with the oldest one about 2600 years old.

The trees are enormous, with trunks that are the size of houses. It reminded me of the giant sequoias in Yosemite except the trees here in Baji are cypress trees. Tibetans come to worship the trees, and there are many “hadas” (white silk sashes) that were hung in the tree branches. Apparently, the way to get them up there is to tie a rock to the hada and then toss it up into the branches.

9. Lakes and Rivers

Throughout the tour of Tibet, we’ve been amazed by the beauty and pureness of the lakes and rivers.

We visited Basomtso Lake in the Nyingchi area which had a beautiful blue-green hue. The lake has an island that has a temple built on it. Two bridges connect the banks of the lake to the island.

Another lake we visited was Yamdroktso Lake, which we passed after visiting Gyantse. The lake was equally beautiful, and some of the views of the lake from the hills made for great photos. The rivers of Tibet were also beautiful and many were rapidly flowing white water rivers such as Liyang river which we drove alongside on our way to the Nyingchi area.

10. People

One of the amazing things about the Tibetan people is how spiritual they are.

Every morning, hundreds of people will rise early to do the walk around Potala palace.

On the seven-hour drive back to Lhasa from the Nyingchi area we passed a family on a pilgrimage to Lhasa. It was a family of three, with one male pulling a cart with the family’s camping supplies.

The other two were performing the six-point prayer,where you start with hands together at your chest then move the hands to your head, back to the chest, kneel down, place hands on ground, extend body flat while lying face down, back to kneeling position and then stand up. One step is then taken and then prayer is repeated. Imagine how long it would take to reach Lhasa at that rate!

We had a great time in Tibet and saw so many beautiful and interesting things. The trip, however, was not without hardship. Luckily we were prepared for the altitude sickness, the cold evenings and minor inconveniences in this wild frontier. Although we had experienced Tibetan culture from our travels through Qinhai and western Sichuan, I definitely believe that visiting Tibet was well worth it.

Author: Greg Han – China hotels

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The first site we visited, and the one which I was most looking forward to visiting, was the Potala Palace. It stands in the center of the city of Lhasa and it took my breath away. I was surprised at how big the whole complex is. The bottom half is painted half, with red buildings on the top. It looks like a giant fortress. It was the home to Tibet’s Dalai Lama. It was packed full of people, but because they limit the amount of tickets sold each day, it was not overwhelming. I’m glad I had a guide, because if one was allowed to wander alone, I’m not sure they could have ever found the way out. It seems to just keep going and going. It is like a huge labyrinth. It is full of unbelievably beautiful treasures. Every square inch seemed to be decorated. Even the ceilings are incredible. Everything seemed to have secret meanings. I’m sure that place could be studied for decades and never be fully understood.

We also checked out Jokhang Temple. The tour guide told us the legend of its creation and I thought it was pretty bizarre. Supposedly the temple was built on a lake. They had tried to build the temple a bunch of times, but each time it collapsed. An educated woman said that the geography of Tibet was like an old woman, with the lake at the heart. In order to build the temple, she suggested that they kill the old woman by filling in the lake. They were supposed to use 1,000 sheep to carry the soil. Those must have been some pretty strong sheep! The temple is really cool though. It is actually a large complex, and it was filled with pilgrims that had come from all parts of Tibet. There is a long passageway that had paintings showing the temple being built. I tried to get some photos of it, but they didn’t turn out too well, too many people. After the temple, the guide took me to visit Barkhor Street. It wasn’t a far walk, because it is a round road that surrounds the temple. I had a lot of fun there. It was packed with tourists, Buddhist monks, and pilgrims. It was a really neat mixture of peoples. Many of the pilgrims were crawling on the ground. Apparently, on their pilgrimage from their homes, they walk two steps, then prostrate themselves on the ground, then walk two more steps, then prostrate themselves on the ground. This is repeated for hundreds of miles, until they reach Lhasa. Talk about dedication. Many others were spinning prayer wheels. The street was lined with stalls selling all sorts of stuff. There were some really beautiful arts and crafts, and of course some touristy things. Most of the objects for sale were Buddhist related. I saw a lot of pottery, and tea shops there. I think my favorite things they had for sale there were the Thangka paintings. These are religious Buddhist paintings. Some of them were really beautiful, and the details on them are amazing. I watched a man painting hair on a creature’s head. He was painting them one by one. I can’t imagine how long these paintings take to complete. My mother and I picked up a couple of these.

On my second day, we went to Norbulingka Park. Apparently it is the biggest garden in Tibet. This place was gorgeous. Even though it was filled with filled with people, it was actually quite peaceful.

The summer palace of the Dalai Lama. It was quite large, with a lot of water, and wooded areas. Every wall in every building was covered with murals. After the park, I went to the Sera Monastery. This place was packed too, but it was filled with monks in their red robes. They were having a debate. I was told that monks often gather here to have debates on the Buddhist scriptures. I couldn’t understand them, but it was really fun to watch them, and I could tell they really took it very seriously.

We saw the largest mountain in the world, Everest. It was really beautiful. It was covered with white snow, and seemed to be the pillar that holds up the sky. I took so many photos of it. It could be seen from almost everywhere we went. I don’t think I’d like to attempt climbing it, but I really did enjoy
looking at it.

I think my favorite part about visiting Tibet, was the evening we spent with a local family. Ours was a small group, so it was a really nice intimate visit. The family we visited lived in a traditional wooden home, which was beautifully painted. It was very colorful, and had religious decorations everywhere. It didn’t have all modern conveniences, but it was really beautiful, and I felt really comfortable there. They wore traditional Tibetan clothing. I asked if it was just for our visit, but they said that they wore it every day. The family was so sweet. I got the feeling that they were just local folks, and the language barrier didn’t seem to matter. Of course I did have my guide to translate, but I could tell that this was a truly loving family. The father gave us a tour of the home, while the women prepared dinner. It was all local food. At first I wasn’t sure I liked it, but after a few bites, they really seemed to grow on me. We had what they call Tsamba. It is a kind of dough made from barley. They had it plain, but offered some sugar and butter for me to mix with mine. I tried it both ways and defiantly liked it better when I added the extra ingredients. I was told that this was a staple, and was eaten at every meal. We also had beef stew, steamed duck, and beef jerky. I was offered Tibetan vodka, but I am not a big drinker, so I politely declined, and they did not push it. After dinner we had Tibetan butter tea. I had heard about it, and was told that most visitors don’t like it, but I liked it. It really filled me up. I can see why they drink so much of it. It really seemed to instantly warm me up and give me energy. I watched the woman prepare it, and asked her to teach, because I’d never seen anything like it. They put boiling tea, salt, and butter into a thin churn, and then churned it all together. It took some work, but was worth it. After dinner, they showed us some of their local dances. They wanted us to join in. At first, I wasn’t comfortable doing it, but seeing how much fun they were having I decided to give it a go. We were all laughing so hard, that we could hardly dance. I really hated to leave. It was a really wonderful experience.

I had been warned by many people about altitude sickness. I was concerned about it, but didn’t have too much of a problem. I did experience headaches for the first few days, but that was it. My brother on the other hand had it much worse than I, and had to miss our first day of site-seeing. Our guide suggested we drink a lot of water, and that really seemed to help a lot. Something to do with dehydration I think.

Tibet is truly an amazing place. We were only there five days, and I hated to leave. I felt I could spend the rest of my life exploring this amazing province. Sadly, with my limited writing ability, I cannot even come close to describing it. It felt so mysterious, yet welcoming. It is a place where ancient religious beliefs mix seamlessly with modern life. People live as they have for thousands of years, and it seemed to me that they do this by choice, not by necessity. Every place we went was packed with people, but it did make for some really cool photographs. The diversity of people there was really kinda cool. It was a wonderful experience, and I really hope I can return one day.

Tibet is a part of my adventure, below is the whole itinerary of my “China Adventure Tour”:

Beijing: Day 1: Arrival in Beijing. Day 2: Beijing city tour to the Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Day 3: Drive to outskirt of Beijing; hiking the Simatai Great Wall. Day 4: Beijing Hutong tour; half day free.

Lhasa: Day 5: Fly to Lhasa; visit the Tibet Museum. Day 6: Lhasa city tour to the Potala Palace & Barkhor Street. Day 7 : Explore Lhasa Monasteries and visit Tibetan family. Chengdu: Day 8: Fly to Chengdu; try Sichuan Food Day 9: Chengdu city tour; visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and observe the giant pandas up close.

Lijiang: Day 10: Fly to Lijiang; excursion to the Ancient Town. Day 11: Drive to the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge; hiking and overnight at guesthouse. Day 12: Continue hiking up to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge; overnight at guesthouse.Day 13: Continue hiking up and get across the Yangtze River; drive back to Lijiang. Day 14: Lijiang city tour; half day free.

Guilin: Day 15: Fly to Guilin via Kumming. Day 16: Drive to Longji; walks on rice terraces. Day 17: Li River cruise to Yangshuo; bike ride in the countryside. Day 18: Guilin city tour; final Departure.

China Odyssey Tours specialize in providing package China tours, discount Yangtze River cruises and best rate hotels.

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The first stop for most Tibet tours is inevitably Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Province. Colorful and historic, the holy city of Lhasa lies in a small valley 3700 meters above sea level. The Potala Palace and Jokhang are the must-see destinations for visitors to Lhasa.

Potala Palace is the symbol of Tibet. This palace is sacred in Tibetan people hearts. With its majestic splendor, the Potala Palace would impress the inhabitants of any world capital. Thus the humble Tibetan pilgrim, who has always lived in a yak hair tent, must view the Potala Palace with great reverence. It is hard to believe that this 13-storey edifice containing 999 rooms was built on a steep mountain as long ago as the seventh century. Touring it just like a huge labyrinth. It makes you keep going and going. It is hard to find the way out if let you wander alone there.

Jokhang monastery, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. It is the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers. Thousands of pilgrims come here for worship everyday. Many of the pilgrims were crawling on the ground. Apparently, on their pilgrimage from their homes, pilgrims prostrate themselves on the ground after walking two steps and then repeat the process again and again. Many others were spinning prayer wheels.

Within the city, are many sites that must be visited; the huge university monasteries of Drepung and Sera, the Barkhor pilgrim circuit and Tibetan Museum.

Besides city Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsetang in Tibet also remain mystical in many people’s minds.

Gyantse was once of major importance as a trading center on the routes between India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet and China. Gyantse’s symbol is the Kumbum Stupa which is 32 m high and contains 77 rooms and 100,000 images of the Buddha. Kumbum Stupa is the finest example of 15th century Newar art extant in the world. Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Fort (built atop a massive rock) are other major sights here.

Driving from Lhasa to Gyantse is a long, yet spectacular drive. Along the way, you will get unforgettable views of the Yamdrok-Tso Lake and Mt Nojin Kangtsang.

Shigatse (3,900 m) lies some 274Km to the west of Lhasa and is the second largest city in Tibet. The highway runs alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river passing through narrow gorges and broad river valleys. Farmers plowing their fields with yaks, sheep grazing on the vast plains, awesome sand dunes and rocky hills in the distance are the scenic rewards of this journey.

The Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, is Shigatse’s most important cultural and religious site. The main structures found in the Tashilhunpo Monastery are The Maitreya Chapel, The Panchen Lama’s Palace and The Kelsang Temple. Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.

Tsetang: During the long years, Tsetang has had many “first”, for instance, the first king Nyatri Tsenpo, the first palace Yumbu Lhakang, the first temple Tradruk, the first cropland Syarisotang, the first Tibetan Opera Pakhapu and the first Buddhist scripture Pangkong Chagya. Tsetang is also the place where King Songtsan Gampo united the whole Tibet and once lived with Princess Wencheng. The Tangka made and embroidered by Princess Wencheng herself is still kept in Tradruk Temple, which is a great treasure house of culture and art.

Samye Monastery is Testang’s most important cultural and religious site. Samye monastery was built in the mid-8th century. Samye is first formal Buddhist Monastery for the monks in Tibet. The magnificent and unique Central Hall is three-story high. The first floor is of the Tibetan architectural style, the second the Han style and the third the Indian style. The halls in the monastery house many statues and murals.

Tibet has so many destinations, too numerous to mention, which makes visitors keep coming back. It is a province unique in China for its magnificent temples, snow-capped peaks, nomad camps, pilgrims and ethnic culture. It is a truly a place to stir the senses and nourish the soul – of all the destinations in China.

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Tibet, also called “Shangri-La” or “the roof of the world” has always been the mystery and the magnet for the West. For a long time it was the most closed territory on the Earth, but in 1984 it opened its doors to the foreigners. For visiting Tibet you need a special permit, but usually it makes no difficulties.

Tibet is one of the Chinese provinces now, but it’s historically connected with India and Nepal too. Tibet lies high in The Himalayas but it’s not a very cold and snowy place. In fact, it’s the land of sun – there it shines bight and almost uninterruptedly.

Geographically Tibet can be divided into 3 parts – East, North and South. The East is the land covered with forests; the North is the place of plains. Here the nomads graze their sheep and yaks. The South, with its ancient cities and temples is considered to be the cultural centre of Tibet.

It’s in Tibet where 4 great Asian rivers take their beginning – Gang, Ind, Sutledge and Brahmaputra.

When you plan you visit to Tibet you usually have two opportunities – to include in your tour Nepal or China. The trip usually last about 2 weeks. The most appropriate time for visiting Tibet is April-June and September-November. The weather is smooth then – about +15°C +20°C during the day and about zero at night.

If you start in Nepal, then be ready to travel several days till you reach Tibet and, remember that you will have to cross the Chinese-Nepal border.
Main Tibet cities Lhasa and Shigatse offer the most accessible routes and the significant part of the religious monuments and tourist attractions is situated there. The most important religious monuments include the Potala, the Jokhang Temple, Tashilunpo Monastery, and Kumbum.

The Potala palace was built in VII century, lies at 110 meters height above the city and consists of two palaces – the White and the Red.

Tibet is a Buddhist country, so the temples and monasteries mentioned above are Buddhist. The calm and tranquility condescend to everyone visiting this land. Many pilgrims come to Tibet with the hope to find the answers to the harassing questions.

The greatest natural wonder of Tibet is Everest Mountain – the highest peak on the Earth. Of course, it’s not included in the tourist routes, but if you dream of climbing it the special expeditions are organized.

Southwestern Tibet has become a popular destination for mountaineers. There are more than 40 snow peaks are opened to mountain climbing enthusiasts.
The tour to Tibet is an ideal choice for religious and mountain travelers, but as the way is rather hard, it is not recommended for the people with serious heath problems.

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The rolling hills of the high plateau and the stunning Himalayas exert an awesome draw to Tibet travelers and adventurers ever since. Most visitors’ trip to Tibet will start in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. Lhasa is home to an amazing UNESCO registered collection of spectacular palaces and temples which you should not be missed on a Tibet tour.

Potala Palace: Located in Lhasa, the Potala Palace is the symbol of Tibet. It was formerly the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. This 13-storey edifice containing 999 rooms is absolutely awe-inspiring and you will be enchanted as you visit the rooms, halls and chapels of the palace.

Jokhang Temple: As the spiritual center of Tiber, the temple is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Thousands of pilgrims come here for worship everyday. Many of the pilgrims were crawling on the ground. Many others were spinning prayer wheels.

Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery: They are two great Gelugpa monasteries in Lhasa. Drepung Monastery was once one of Tibet largest monasteries and monastic universities. Sera may not be as majestic as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The ‘Buddhism Scriptures Debating’ in Sera is very famous.

Travelling to Tibet, visitors can witness the unique overland landscapes, the snow-covered mountains, plateau lakes, more and different monasteries and have the chance to get close to the real people of Tibet. There are many activities to offer you on a Tibet tour depending on if you are interested in nature, trekking, monasteries or Tibetan culture.

A typical Tibet trip starts in Lhasa, and includes short trips to Ganden Monastery and Nam Tso Lake, follows by a week trip to Mt Everest via Yamdrok Tso, Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar, Lhaste. Visitors not only can see all the famous sites in Lhasa, but also can witness the other must sees of Tibet including the Yamdrotso Lake, the Palkhor Temple, the Tashilumpo Monastery, the Sakya Monastery and the Everest Base Camp along the way.

Yamdrotso Lake: One of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the world’s highest freshwater lake. For Tibet people, Yamdrotso Lake is the home of the “wrathful deities”. Here visitors can enjoy the intoxicating plateau natural scenery at the sacred, turquoise-blue lake. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7191m).

Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse: Built in the 15th century, this monastery is unique in Tibet for it has the characteristics of Tibetan, Han, and Nepal architectural styles. And what’s more, visitors can view the three sects of Buddhism-Sakyapa, Kadampa, and Gelugpa existing in harmony under one roof.

Tashilumpo Monastery: Located on the slops of Mt.Tara, southwest of Shigatse, the Tashiilumpo Monastery is one of the six big monasteries in Tibet. Besides the grand palace and gigantic statues, the Tashihunpo also treasures characteristic wall paintings. These are priceless and rare historical relics for researching the history and society of Tibet.

Sakya Monastery: Built in 1073, the Sakya Monastery has long been renowned for its large collection of Buddhist scripture, evaluable porcelain and vivid wall paintings dating back nearly one thousand years.

Base Camp of Mt Everest: The Base Camp is a small flat piece of land in front of the north face of Mt Everest with an altitude of 5200m. Recently more and more mountaineers start off from the Base Camp trying to conquer the world highest peak while travelers trek to the foot of the peak to enjoy its beauty through their own eyes.

Taking a Tibet vacation is surely different from most in the world. There are so many unique attractions, too numerous to mention. Many people might experience difficulties with the high altitude here. But when you witness the magnificent monasteries, pious pilgrims, snow-capped peaks and overwhelming ethnic culture, which all are located in the stunning landscape of the Himalayas, all the hardship you bear along the way make sense.

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According to Tibetan people, summer is the golden season to travel in a year. Recently, it is getting more and more overseas tourists to go to Tibet. They are not only craving for gorgeous sights and trek, but also searching for diverse culture tours. Tibet’s culture is visually stunning as its landscape, its Buddhist heritage, and its tradition and history rich. It is better to know the culture of Tibet in the face of the current pace of change.

You can see foreign tourists everywhere in Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Tashihungpo Monastery of Rikaze, etc. An American tourist Cathy, excited talking about her 5-day trip to Tibet, she said:” Tibet is the most mysterious place deep down in my heart as always. The natural environment and culture are unique on the planet. I was looking forward to visiting Tibet, but I was a bit worried about the security state in Tibet before. However, you won’t know until you are there. I went search engine and found out visit tibet travel and tours, after further enquiries they made a route out based on my interests. Thanks to them, a decent Tibet tour guide gives me amazing experiences.”

The assistant director of the Tibet Tourism Bureau Wei Min quoted: “Tourism of Tibet has once strongly impaired by the March 14th riots in Lhasa, but from the related statistics both the tourist arrivals and revenue between January and May in 2009 are higher than that in the same period of 2008. We are confident that Tibet’s tourism market is recovering from slack seasons last year.” “As far as I know, China has invested great amounts of money in ecological preservation for sustainable development, by the help of that we’ll see tourists pouring this year.” The general manager of VisitTibet.com said.

To learn much more about Tibet tour solutions, please visit http://www.visittibet.com where you can get more free information on specialized tours in Tibet, Nepal and Himalayas.

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