15 things to do in Tibet
Tibet is the home of nature, the roof of the world, the center of Buddhism so they are more than 10 thousand things Travelers can do in Tibet.
As a Tibet Travel Expert, Tibet Travelers would like to share the 15 highlight things to do in Tibet.
1. Mount Everest North Face Base Camp
2. Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
3. The Guge Kingdom, the Shangshung Kingdom, and Toling monastery
4. Namtso Lake and Nomads
1. Mount Everest North Face Base Camp
The number one thing to do in Tibet is the highest mountain in our world.
Mount Everest, known as Chomolungma in the local Tibetan language with an altitude of 8,848m, which is around 29,029 ft is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, Shigatse Prefecture, Tingri County, 30km from Tibet Travelers Manager Tenzin Dhondup's village Pasum, 23 km from Chozom village and 8km from the highest monastery in the world Rongbuk monastery.
Travelers can travel to Mount Everest north face base camp, 5,200m via an overland tour from Lhasa or Nepal border in a duration of 2-3 days from Lhasa or Nepal.
Mount Everest is one destination where 90 percent of Travelers have a dream to travel. Touching the roof of our world. I have spent 2 years at Mount Everest North Face base camp in the years 2003 and 2004.
Each year I have spent 8 months starting from mid-March to mid-October.
In the winter because of the cold and wind, it is almost impossible to stay there.
Even my friend monk Sangay, who is staying in the summer at the upper Rongbuk monastery, 4km before Mount Everest North face base camp has to go back home because of difficulty water.
Every month is a special time to visit Mount Everest.
I love seeing Mount Everest in the winter since there is more snow. Winter in Tibet starts from November to February.
In the summer, Travelers should look for sunset and stars in the night.
The main highlight of Mount Everest is the changing of color from yellow to orange and finally red because of the beauty of a sunset.
When I used to be Tour Guide in Tibet during the year 2005, the road was very bumpy and dusty but nowadays traveling to Mount Everest is becoming very easy, there is a paved road until the 4km before the base camp.
Mount Everest base camp region is my hometown
Tibet Travelers arranges 8 days, 9 days, and 10 days Private tour and Group tour to Mount Everest North face base camp for Travelers.
Travelers can also travel to Mount Everest base camp at Traveler's preferred duration.
Tibet Travelers recommend Travelers to acclimatize with the altitude via staying a few nights in Lhasa, another night in Shigatse, and one more night in New Tingri, aka Pelber or Sheger town to avoid mountain sickness and to enjoy the sunrise beauty on 4 mountains above 8,000m from the Geu la pass 5,200m
2. Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
One destination where every pilgrim's dream is located.
Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are the two important holy sites for Hindus, Buddhists, Bon, and Jain followers.
It takes around 3 days to reach the town before Mount Kailash, known as Darchin.
3-4 days to travel back to Lhasa and 2 days to travel border town Kyirong between Nepal.
It takes 2-3 days to trek the pilgrim kora around Mount Kailash.
Which is 52km in total, highest pass of this trek is 5,400m known as Drolma la.
I have done this trek decade ago and my fastest trek record is 52km with a high pass of 5,400m in 16 hours.
Nowadays it might take me more than that since that was when I was nearly in teen and much much healthier.
I am not amazed at my 16 hours to record, I have met local Tibetans who had done this 52km trek in around 11 hours.
I have also met a local Tibetan Guide who had done this trek more than 100 times.
When I was Tour Guide in the year 2005, road and vehicle both were not in good condition but nowadays there is paved road until the foot town of Mount Kailash, known as Darchin. Vehicles are also much more comfortable.
Tibet Travelers arranges 16 days Private tour and Group tour for all the Travelers planning to travel to Mount Kailash.
Travelers can also travel to Mount Kailash via a customized tour at Traveler's preferred duration.
Tibet Travelers recommend Travelers to spend a few days in Lhasa, 1 more night in Shigatse, and the final night at Saga town.
The quickest tour to Mount Kailash can be done in around 12 days including the 3 days trek.
3. The Guge Kingdom, the Shangshung Kingdom, and Toling monastery
Once they were many Kings in Tibet, each small towns have Kings until the 7th Century 33rd King Srongtsen Gompo.
In the 8th century, Buddhism was flourished in Tibet from India with the help of many great Tibetans and Indian Masters.
Late 9th-10th Century, after the death of King Lang Dharma. His sons travel to western Tibet, modern-day Ngari.
They ruled Ngari near the border town between Ladakh for many years via forming a few Kingdoms including the Shangshung Kingdom and the Guge Kingdom.
These are the final ruins of Kingdoms in Tibet so this is one of the must-do lists in the Tibet Travelers 15 things to do in Tibet.
Travelers can send us Emails for more information regarding travel to the Guge Kingdom and Toling monastery.
4. Namtso Lake and Nomads
Nomads and farmers are playing the biggest role in the happiness of people who are living in the city.
If we don't protect the beautiful farming and nomadic culture, one day there will be money in hand without foods to buy so let us love and respect nomads and farmers.
Namtso lake is located in the northern Tibet nomadic area. Surrounded by mountains and grassland. In the summer they are many Nomads near the lake.
Namtso Lake is located at the altitude of 4,700m with the driving of 4-5 hours from Lhasa in a total of 240km one way.
The number one selling tour of Tibet Travelers in the year 2017 is the 10 days tour to Mount Everest north face and Namtso Lake.
10 Days Private tour to Mount Everest and Namtso Lake
10 Days Group Tour to Mount Everest and Namtso Lake
Travelers can also travel to Namtso lake for a shorter or longer duration according to Travelers travel duration and budget via sending us Emails.
5. Lhasa the central in Tibet with Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Ramoche Temple
Lhasa is central in Tibet Autonomous Region, many of the precious spiritual sites are located.
Potala Palace
Built in the 7th century by King Srongtsen Gompo, it looks stunning in the 21st Century. Potala Palace beautifies Tibet.
In the off-season from November to April, Travelers can visit Potala Palace in a day but in the high season from May to October, Travelers have to prebook a day in advance to visit Potala Palace.
Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple
Located in the center of Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is taken very precious for all the Buddhists around the world.
Founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha's statue was brought to Tibet from India via the Tang Dynasty, modern-day Xian in China.
This statue is around 2600 years old symbolizing Buddha Shakyamuni at 12 years old.
The statue was brought to Tibet by Chinese Princess Wencheng from Tang. This statue is located at Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.
Another precious statue was brought to Tibet from Nepal by Nepalese Princess Brikhuti.
This statue is also known to be around 2600 years old symbolizing Buddha Shakyamuni in 8 years old. This statue is located at Ramoche Temple in Lhasa.
These two precious statues of Buddha Shakyamuni were built during the time of Buddha with the blessings of Buddha.
These two statues are the two most precious statues of Buddha in Tibet.
All the tours arranged by Tibet Travelers Travel agency will visit Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, and Ramoche Temple.
6. Monks Debate at Sera monastery
One of the most beautiful cultures that flourished around 2600 years ago in India is the debates.
In India, during the 4th-5th century, they were so many scholars from different spiritual schools.
Buddhist and Hindu scholars had no history of physical fighting but they have a history of debating, which shows the beauties of purity, dignity, respect, and wisdom.
Sera monastery is one of the only monasteries in Tibet where Travelers can witness this beauty from Monday to Saturday from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm every day.
7. Best hot spring in Tibet at Tidrum nunnery
Hot springs, hot springs, and hot springs. I love hot springs.
The reason behind this is the cold weather in Tibet and pure blessings from authentic hot springs.
Even though I have visited more than 10 hot springs in Tibet, I always tell everyone that Tidrum nunnery hot spring is one of the best hot springs in Tibet.
The reason behind this is the cleanness of the hot spring and location.
I used to spend a few weeks of my wintertime at Tidrum nunnery so I have already written articles on what we can do near Tidrum nunnery.
Tidrum nunnery, a spiritual history since the 8th century. Tibetan Buddhism's two of the greatest Yogis Maha Guru Rinpoche and Maha Guru Kandro Yeshe Tsogyal were the first Yogis meditating near Tidrum.
Photo: Beauties of camping in Tibet
8. Travel to the roof of the world via one of the best trains in China
I have met Travelers from Europe who had traveled to Tibet via train from Europe through Russia, Mongolia, and China. After hearing this beautiful journey from Travelers I have written an article.
Traveling to Tibet via Train from Europe
I have also experienced this train journey with my mother a few years ago from Lhasa to Xining for a duration of 22 hours inside the hard sleeper cabin.
I have found that it is one of the best trains in China, with good air condition, clean beds, and toilets.
Most importantly the beautiful grassland and mountains nature along the route.
Best cities in China to take the train to Tibet
For Travelers who would love to try this train ride in a shorter duration can also try train from Lhasa to Shigatse, which I have taken a few months ago. Duration is around 2 hours 20 minutes.
My trip to Shigatse via Train from Lhasa
The train ride is a great option to witness the glimpse beauties of Tibet.
9. Taking a flight to the roof of the world from Nepal
Travelers should consider taking a flight to Tibet from Nepal to see the beauties of the Himalayas range, most importantly Mount Everest, the roof of the world.
Taking a flight to Tibet has an opportunity to witness the truth of Tibet known as the land of snows and home of mountains.
10. Become a Tibetan for a few days by being with local Tibetans
One thing Travelers love about Tibet is the Tibetan people. We would like to thank Travelers for your love.
A smile from Tibetan is making Travelers want to travel again, this smile is coming from the blessings of nature and precious compassion from Buddha Shakyamuni.
Learning a few words from Tibetan Tour Guide and practicing with the locals is a great way to become a Tibetan for a few days.
Tibet Travelers also recommend Travelers to buy books, pens, and sweets as a gift to children of farmers and nomads while traveling in Tibet.
11. Trying the taste of number one organic food in Tibet
Everyone in the west loves organic foods. We respect western's love for the healthy body, which is one of the keys to a healthy mind.
Even though organic foods are difficult to find everywhere, there is still one organic food that can be easily found everywhere in Tibet. This organic food is known as Tsampa, it is made from Barley flour.
Tsampa is the food that kept our ancestors healthy for centuries.
it is difficult to adjust but it is worth to try.
We highly recommend our Travelers to try some Tibetan Tsampa while traveling in Tibet.
12. Trying the taste of 1 US Dollar Tibetan Noodle
One of the most popular food in Tibet, especially in Lhasa is Tibetan noodles. It can be found in all the small local tea houses.
Price is 5-6RMB per bowl, which is around 1 US Dollar
13. Meditate in ancient meditation caves of Tibetan Yogis from 7-8th Century
Most of the great Tibetan ancestors are mostly Yogis, they are our admiration. Even though they are gone the blessings remain in the meditation caves with the hands and footprint.
Drak yerba meditation cave and Samye Chimpuk meditation caves are a few of the great meditation areas in Tibet.
Travelers can also choose to do 5-10 minutes of meditation near the lakes and mountains in Tibet to get the blessings.
14. See the sunrise, sunset, and stars at night
One of the most important highlights in Tibet is the sunrise, sunset, and stars in the night.
Tibet is the roof of the world so outside of cities, it is possible to witness the beauties of stars and milky ways.
Mount Everest base camp and Namtso Lake are the two favorite sites for witnessing the beauties of sunrise, sunset, and stars in the night.
15. Trek to the hidden beauties of Tibet
Almost all the tourist destinations are crowded in the summer, especially in August.
They are a few trekking sites where we can still witness the hidden beauties of Tibet.
Two of the hidden beauty sites are:
Kharta Chutang Kangshung Valley East face of Mount Everest trek
Mount Everest Advance base camp North col trek
Travelers can send us Emails for more information regarding trekking in Tibet.
As explained above, they are more than 1000 Things to do in Tibet so Tibet Travelers will do best to share more in the future articles.
All these sightseeings in Tibet required two important documents to travel.
How to get Tibet Travel Permit?
This is the information on 15 things to do in Tibet.
Hope this information helps all the Travelers around the world who are planning a tour to Tibet.
For more information regarding Tibet travel free planner, Tibet tour, or Tibet Treks. Email us at info@tibettravelers.com
Feb 23, 2018