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Tibet
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Tibet (Autonomous Region of China), the
"Rooftop of the World" was opened to tourism in
1985. Before this it avoided influence from the
western world and developed its unique culture
and religion independently within the country.
The infrastructure of the tourist industry is
still very basic in the remote parts of this
unique country. However, every effort will be
made under the circumstance to ensure a smooth &
pleasant trip. Traveling overland between
Kathmandu and Lhasa is an incredible journey in
which you can see the world’s highest mountains,
travel on the world’s highest plain, meet
nomadic Tibetan pilgrims and walk amidst the
burning butter lamps and chanting monks of
Tibet's ancient and legendary Buddhist
monasteries. However accommodations, amenities
and facilities that may be far from perfect and
your expectation, but trip to Tibet is well
worth the effort providing you an opportunity to
be adventure lovers. |
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Season: the best
time to visit Tibet is April to October, and
November to March.
July and August are considered as rainy months. The
best months are May, June, September or October.
Normally, we recommend warm clothing for the trip to
Tibet as nights and early mornings can be quite
chilly and windy cold in winter months, November to
April. |
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Places of interest in Tibet |
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Lhasa: The capital of Tibet Autonomous region
and situated at the north bank of Kyichu river,
a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo river, Lhasa
has history of more than 1300 years. Lhasa is
the main politics, economy, culture and
religious center for the Tibet Autonomous
region. The attractions of this city (3650
meters) are the magnificent Potala Palace,
former seat of the Dalai Lamas, presides over
the city. Built in 1645 at the top of a hill,
the palace contains a thousand rooms, 10,000
shrines and 200,000 religious statues. Besides,
the famous Jhokhang temple, the Bhakor market,
the Sera Monastery, the Drepung Monastery (the
largest in Tibet) and the Norbulingkha are the
major attractions of this ancient city.
Potala
Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulinkha Palace,
Drepung Monastery, Bharkhor Market |
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Shigatse: Shigatse (altitude 3,900 meters) lies
some 274 kilometers to the west of Lhasa and is
Tibet’s second largest city. 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 chapel
here contain images of Shakyamuni (the present
Buddha), white and green taras and embalmed
bodies of past Panchain Lamas.
Tashilumpo
Monastery,
Shakya Monastery |
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Gyangtse: This town is situated at an altitude
of 3,800 meters. About 94 kilometers from
Shigatse. Gyangtse’s symbol is the Kumbum Stupa
which is 32 meters high and contains 77 rooms
and 100,000 images of the Buddha. A prince of
Gyangtse had it built in 1427 by craftsmen from
the Kathmandu valley. It is the finest example
of 15th-century Newar art extent in the world.
Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyangtse fort (built
atop a massive rock) are other major sights
here. The road from Lhasa to Gyangtse (260
kilometers) takes you over three mountain
passes: Ghampa La (4,794 meters), Sima La (4,380
meters high) and Karo La (5,045 meters) via
Yamdrok Tso Lake. The scenery and the adventure
of traveling on the old mule caravan route makes
this excursion an unforgettable trip.
Kumbum,
Pelkor Chode Manastery |
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Tsedang: Tsedang is
known as the cradle of Tibetan civilization,
situated 170 kilometers southeast of Lhasa in
the Yarlung Valley. This ancient town offers a
number of side trips that illustrate Tibet’s
early history. The valley of the Kings (ancient
capital of the Yarlung kings who Established the
Tibetan nation), the Yambu Lakhang Palace (built
for the first Yarlung king), and the Tandruk
Monastery (one of the three royal Buddhist
temples) are some of the important sightseeing
points.
Yambhulakhang,
Samye Monastery,
Chonggye
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Mt. Kailash:
Pilgrimage to Mansarovar Lake and the Holy Mt.
Kailash claimed to be the apex of the Hindu
religious axis is also one of the highest
mountains in Tibet at 22,022 feet, and Lake
Mansarovar at 14,950 feet is said to be the
highest fresh water lake in the world. Certainly
it is difficult region to reach due to the
variable and extreme weather conditions. We
begin the tour by traveling to Kathmandu and
departing by road to the Nepal/Tibet border town
of Zhangmu where we initiate the tour-trekking
to Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake.
Kailash |
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