Travel guide – tibet
Go back to travel guide home
Overview
This is the land of majestic mountains, exotic culture and gentle people. Tibet, 'the roof of the world', lay largely undiscovered by the rest of the world until the beginning of the 20th century, but has since fascinated travellers seeking the unspoilt and more remote corners of the globe.
China invaded and annexed Tibet in 1950, since when the country has officially been known as the Tibet Autonomous Region. Unless on an organised tour, anyone wishing to visit Tibet must obtain a permit in advance from the Tibet Tourist Authority. This vast territory in the south-west of China consists of a massive plateau surrounded by towering mountain ranges. The Himalayas ring it in the south, the Karakoram Range is to the west, the Kunlun to the north, and smaller ranges fringe the east forming a barrier between Tibet and China's internal provinces. Most of Tibet is several thousand feet above sea level, meaning that the air is thin. The region is a mecca for mountaineers, containing some of the world's highest mountain peaks, capped by Mount Everest at 29,029ft (8,848m), sited in the middle section of the Himalayas in Tibet's Tingri Country.
Tibet is scenically rich with snow-covered peaks, glaciated high passes, aquamarine lakes, primeval forests and almost continual bright-blue skies. Despite its altitude and thick snow covering the mountains, Tibet actually has snowfalls only a few times a year with plenty of sunshine the rest of the time. Tibet's major cities and towns are congregated mainly in the southern part of the region. Here, in the agricultural sector, are the capital Lhasa and the other major city of Shigatse, which offer the region's most important tourist attractions.
Set in a marshy valley and dominated by surrounding mountain peaks, the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, is one of the highest cities in the world at an elevation of 12,000ft (3,658m). It has long been the religious, cultural and political centre of Tibet, sheltered from the harsh winds of the Tibetan plateau, in a spot that has been inhabited from at least 1,500BC. Today the city has a population of 400,000. Being the religious centre for Lamaist Buddhists since ancient times, flocks of pilgrims have made their way to Lhasa over the centuries to worship at the feet of the Dalai Lama. Now tourists are following in their wake to explore the surrounding mountains and investigate Tibet’s unique culture and long history. In 1959 Lhasa saw several days of warfare in a revolt against communist reforms being imposed by the Chinese administration. The Dalai Lama fled to India and communism was instituted in Tibet. Many historic and religious buildings were destroyed, and Tibetan traditional culture discouraged. With political reform having taken root in China, however, economic progress has reached Lhasa as well and the city is currently enjoying a period of rapid modernisation, while retaining its importance as a holy city for the realm of Lamaist Buddhism. The remaining historic buildings are drawcards for visitors.
Things to do and see in or around Lhasa
Potala Palace
The vast Potala Palace stands on a clifftop above Lhasa, considered the greatest achievement of Tibetan architecture. The palace was originally built in the 7th century by the then emperor for his bride. It was later partially destroyed by lightning, but restored and extended in 1645 by the Fifth Dalai Lama when he became political and religious leader of Tibet. The Fifth Dalai Lama took up residence in the palace in 1653, and it remained the Dalai Lamas’ official residence until the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. The palace is renowned for its interior splendour. It consists of two main sections: The White Palace is the secular section containing offices, dormitories, a Buddhist seminary and printing house. The Red Palace is the ornate sacred sanctuary containing chapels where mummified remains of three Dalai Lamas lay, and the Great West Hall, with its fine rich murals.
Daily 9am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm
Jokhang Temple
The Jokhang Temple lies in the heart of old Lhasa. It was built nearly 1,300 years ago but remains the spiritual centre of Tibet, drawing pilgrims from all over the region who come to demonstrate piety to Buddha. The original structure was enlarged under the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama and it now stands as the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural design. The temple contains numerous valuable cultural relics and sacred sculptures, and features some magnificent murals in the main hall. An annual prayer festival is held in the temple, which is also the venue for the initiation of the Dalai Lamas.
Daily 9am to 4pm
Shigatse is Tibet’s second largest city, situated about 190 miles (300km) from Lhasa at the confluence of the Yarlong Tsangpo and Nyangchu Rivers in the south of the region. Although it has undergone rapid development in recent years it offers few tourist facilities, but is nevertheless a popular destination for adventure travellers and mountaineers, being within reach of Mount Everest. It is also a haven for pilgrims travelling from western Tibet to Lhasa. The city is 600 years old and is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, an important Tibetan spiritual leader and abbot of the Tashilhunpo Monastery. The city offers some interesting monasteries in its vicinity; the old quarter is also worth a visit as is its colourful market.
Things to do and see in or around Shigatse
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo is one of Tibet’s most revered and influential monasteries, lying about a mile (two km) to the west of the city at the base of Drolmari Mountain. It dates from 1477, having been founded by the first Dalai Lama, and became the seat of the Panchen Lama in 1713. The monastery today houses about 800 monks in its 3,229 square foot (300 sq m) buildings. The oldest section of the monastery is the main chanting hall that houses the throne of the Panchen Lama. The tallest section is the Maitreya Chapel, which contains the world’s largest brass statue of Maitreya. The seated figure is 86ft (26m) high and contains extraordinary amounts of gold, brass and about 1,400 precious gems.
Daily 9am to 4pm
Mount Everest
The Shigatse prefecture is the gateway for climbers to the North Col climbing route of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, towering 29,028ft (8,848m) on the border between Tibet and Nepal. The Tibetan name for the peak is Mount Quomolangma, which means 'The third goddess'. Access to the Everest Base Camp is via the town of Tinggri. About 20 miles (30km) from the town tracks take climbers on a 48-mile (78km) trek to the camp. About six miles (10km) from the base camp is the highest monastery on earth, Rongbuk Monastery at an altitude of 16,728ft (5,099m). The monastery is being restored and offers hostel accommodation. Just south of the monastery is the world-renowned Rongbuk Glacier.
Palkhor Monastery
This unique monastery is sited about 143 miles (230km) south of Lhasa and 62 miles (100km) east of Shigatse, at the foot of Dzong Hill. It has an unusual structural style and houses a collection of pure silk costumes worn in Tibetan opera, all richly embroidered, that date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The monastery is also unique in that it is the only one known to accommodate monks from three different orders: the Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa monks all get along famously.
Daily 9am to 4pm
Climate
Tibet has a dry, cold climate; it is particularly cold in the mountains and plateaus, which are also swept by strong winds all year round. In summer the daily temperature fluctuates greatly between day and night. At midday it may be 80 degrees F (27C), but after sunset the mercury plummets abruptly to as low as 32 degrees F (3C). Best time of year in Tibet is between April and November, when the weather is mild. July and August are the wettest months, particularly in the central area around Lhasa, but average annual precipitation is very low.
.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. There is a risk of malaria throughout the low-lying areas of the country, and it is recommended that travellers to China seek medical advice before departure. An outbreak of meningococcal disease was reported in January 2005 from 11 cities in Anhui Province in eastern China. Meningococcal vaccine is recommended for all travelers to Anhui Province.Outbreaks of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) are officially over, but travellers are warned to remain vigilant for this viral disease. The last case occurred in April 2004. Travellers are unlikely to be affected by bird flu, but live animal markets and places where contact with live poultry is possible should be avoided. All poultry and egg dishes should also be throughly cooked. Outbreaks since November 2005 have infected several people working with poultry, some of whom have died. Altitude sickness can occur in the mountainous regions of Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Xinjiang, and western Sichuan. Outside city centres, visitors should only drink bottled water. Western-style medical centres with international staff are available in the major cities and usually accept credit cards. Health insurance is recommended.
top of page