Tibet, which is also known as the ‘roof of the world’ is a region that is gifted with a rich history, natural beauty, and amazing culture. This land is gifted with the Tibetan plateau and the Himalayas. These astounding geographical landscapes make Tibet a dream of a place to go to.
Tibet is surrounded by Nepal, India, Bhutan, and China. So it is easily accessible to travel from these countries. It comprises of table-lands that have an average of more than 4950 meters. There are many peaks in Tibet that have altitudes of 6000-7500 meters. This makes Tibet a wonderful place for viewing gorgeous mountains.
Mt. Kailash is one of the most popular mountains in Tibet. Its religious significance and a wonderful location close to two lakes i.e. Lake Mansarovar and Lake Rakshastal draw a lot of people to this mountain. Other wonderful mountains like Qomolangma, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Namcha Barwa are also visible from Tibet. In fact, Tibet is the only land in the world from where the Everest Base Camp is visible.
Apart from the mountains, Tibet is home to beautiful lakes and rivers as well. Mt. Kailash of Tibet is the source of origin of some of the biggest rivers in Asia like Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra. The lakes in Tibet that are excellent tourist destinations include Mansarovar, Rakshastal, Yamdrok, and Pangong Tso. All of these lakes are surrounded by tall mountains of Tibet. This makes these lakes extremely scenic.
Tibet is a land of varied cultural and religious significance. The region is predominantly Tibetan Buddhist. Many astounding monasteries like Ganden, Sera, Jokhang, Tsurphu, etc. However, you can see many Hindu devotees in Tibet. Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are regarded as places where Hindu deities reside. These two locations also have a special place in legends Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon.
Tibet has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. So this place is full of ancient kingdoms and palaces. Potala Palace is the most popular of these palaces. Lying at the top of a hill in Lhasa, its wonderful architecture and history have established it as a World Heritage Site. Jumbo Lhakhang Palace, Guge Kingdom, Jokhang Temple, and Sheng Siong Culture ruins are some other markers of the great history of Tibet.
A majority of Tibetans are involved in farming and husbandry. This has helped Tibet preserve its ancient culture, lifestyle, and religion. Tibetan art, sculpture, painting, and handicraft are popular all over the world. Thus going to Tibet is bound to make you delighted with glimpses of authentic culture and people.
Tibet also has places that are geopolitically sensitive. So there might be some places that have some restrictions on them. Besides, there are certain VISA requirements and travel permits. Make sure that you look into it in detail to have an excellent vacation in Tibet.
There are excellent trekking agencies in Nepal that will take care of all of the aforementioned things before your tour to Tibet. They will also provide you some excellent travel packages to Tibet.
Major Attractions of Tibet Tour
Stunning Mountains
The mountains that stand tall in Tibet are quite awesome. The most famous of the mountains is Mt. Kailash. Many devotees of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon believe that a round tour of the mountain will bring good fortune. Due to the divine status of the mountain, it has not been climbed till date. It is believed that climbing this mountain will affect the soul of the people.
Mount Everest is another mountain that is quite popular for sightseeing from Tibet. In fact, many people also trek to Everest Base Camp from the Tibetan side.
Some part of the Himalayas also lies in Tibet. So many of the tallest peaks like Qomolangma, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Namcha Barwa offer excellent views from Lhasa in Tibet.
Gorgeous Water Resources
Tibet can be distinctly divided into two regions. One of them is the “Lake Region” and the other one is “River Region”. The lifestyle in these two regions is also quite different. People live predominantly as nomads in the lake region. The river region is mostly agricultural.
The most beautiful rivers in Tibet include Yarlung Tsangpo, Nyang, Salween, Mekong, and the Yellow River. Asia’s longest river, Yangtze, also flows in Tibet. The Yarlung Tsangpo flows near Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon. It is the deepest canyon in the world.
Many lakes in Tibet give are high altitude lakes. Some of the most popular of these lakes are Mansarovar, Qinghai, Namtso, Pangong Tso, Raksastal. What adds to the beauty of these lakes is the abundance of gorgeous mountains that surround these lakes.
Tibet, with its abundant water resources, is known as “Water Tower of Asia”.
Lhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of Tibet. It is one of the most gorgeous cities in Tibet. It has an altitude of 3600 meters. This city lies in the Tibetan plateau. It is historically, culturally, and architecturally significant.
One of the most historical places in Lhasa is the Potala Palace. It was the residence of the Dalai Lama in the past. But now it serves a museum. It is built on the side of Ri Marpo, which is known as Red Mountain. The architecture of the palace gives it a fort-like appearance. Below this palace lies Lhasa Jhol Pillar. The pillar contains some Tibetan Characters that are believed to the oldest instance of Tibetan scriptures.
Other major historical buildings in Lhasa are Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery. Both of these are places where Buddhist devotees come to. Norbulingka is another historical palace in Tibet that was built in 1783.
Norbulingka, Potala Palace, and Jokhang Temple have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well.
Tibetan Artifacts
Tibetan art plays a great role in shaping the culture of Tibet. Most of the artwork is directly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism in this region. Thangka paintings are a major cultural force in Tibet. Frescoes are other forms of traditional art that are quite close to Tibet.
Woodblock printing is also quite popular in Tibet. Besides, coral prayer beads and statues of Buddha are exported in great quantity outside Tibet.
While you are in Tibet, you can shop for these fine Tibetan artifacts. They will be perfect for collecting as souvenirs or gifting someone close to you.