Tibet, China

Exploring the Area Formerly independent Tibet is a very mountainous region of China in the Himalayas. The air is thin here and the average altitude is around 15,000 feet.  Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is a major religious center. Nestled […]

Exploring the Area

Formerly independent Tibet is a very mountainous region of China in the Himalayas. The air is thin here and the average altitude is around 15,000 feet.  Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is a major religious center. Nestled in a valley, Lhasa was once home of the Dalai Lamas, who resided at the huge, nine-story Potala Palace. The seventh century Jokhang temple is the holiest Buddhist temple in Tibet and attracts masses of pilgrims. Two monasteries stand out: Drepung monastery is Tibet’s largest and Sera Monastery is especially holy to a Tibetan religious sect. There are many open air markets in this city.

Xigaze, also known as Shigatse. Tashilumpo monastery is particularly important to the Buddhist religion.

Weather

The best time to visit Tibet is from April until mid September (June is the absolute best month). There are sunny days with some rainfall expected during June, July, and August. The cold months are October through March.

Getting around

Independent travel is not permitted in Tibet. The preplanned group travel is allowed with a confirmed tour package. Our trip includes all transfers needed during the trip. You can walk around in Lhasa, Shigatse and Gyantse during your free time. The public buses and taxies are available in those cities.

Lodging options

Our standard tour packages include standard tourist hotels. There are some international chain hotels (such as Holiday Inn), and other domestic chains have properties in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse. You can upgrade to luxury hotels in Lhasa with additional costs.

Food and drinks

Chinese cuisine reigns here along with the distinctive flavors of Tibetan food. International chain hotels in Lhasa offer a mix of western, Chinese and Tibetan cuisine.

• Chhang spirit is a favorite of the Tibetan people. It has low alcohol content, and has a fragrant and sweet flavor. Every family in Tibet can make this wine in their own home. It is drunk separately or is consumed with Tsampa (a glutinous meal made from roasted flour – usually barley flour). Chhang spirit can also be used to clean wounds, drive out the cold and help blood circulation.
• Butter tea: Butter tea is a traditional drink of Tibet and, as the name implies, is made of butter and tea. It is nourishing, fragrant, strong, and savory. It is also invigorating and is used as a tonic.
• Boiled mutton: Being a favorite cuisine of Tibet, boiled mutton has a long history. It is made by first killing a sheep, peeling off the skin, putting the meat into a pot and then boiling it over strong fire. It is well cooked after the blood dissipates. While eating, the person uses one hand to hold the mutton while using the other hand to hold a knife for cutting slices. The mutton is fatty but does not have the strong smell of mutton. It is not oily and is soft, tender and distinctive.
• Zangfang Snacks: Tibetan snacks have a distinctive flavor. Among these, cuanguan (intestines) sausage is the most famous. The sausages come in five different varieties: blood, meat, flavored, oil and liver sausages.

Other destinations

You can combine your trip to Tibet with other destinations, such as Nepal, India and Bhutan. We can arrange your personalized itinerary.

Visa formalities

A special permission is needed to travel in Tibet and it is granted through tour companies with confirmed tour packages. We handle all visa formalities for Tibet once you have decided on one of our Tibet tours.

Health tips:

People with serious cardiovascular, lung, liver or kidney diseases, people with contagious inflammatory diseases, including those in the infectious stages or in convalescence, people in convalescence following major or medium surgery, people with uncontrolled epileptic or seasonal asthmatics should not travel to Tibet. Motion sickness, climate sickness, insomnia, and mountain sickness can be expected during the trip.

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