Tibet Travel Information

• Culture and Custom
• Festival and Holidays
• Places to Visit in Tibet
• Tibet Travel Permit
• History and Geography
• Visitors Information
• Peoples and Language
• Weather

Culture:

Tibet has richness and the depth of its traditions and cultural heritage. Wisdom, the knowledge about life, compassion, tolerance, peace of mind all contribute in making culture of Tibet. The simply life, the spirituality of minds, give a strong hold to this alpine region which is entirely decorated with its holy charisma. Come experience this magical world of culture

Culture of Tibet which is completely dedicated to Buddhism is arguably the most particular and convoluted of all that have evolved with time and made their presence felt. Everyone in your group can have a taste of the Tibetan culture during the many live performance shows you can catch anywhere, on streets or open fields. These shows equally fascinate young and elderly people as they are full of colours and energy. For a more professional show, check out the tourism department. Most of the shows, by professional troops are held during festivals and fairs. It's a good exposure to learn about different culture and traditions that will generate awareness and a sense of tolerance towards other religions.

Custom:

Presenting Hada

Present hada is a common practice among the Tibetan people to express their best wishes on many occasions, such as wedding ceremonies, festivals, visiting the elders and the betters, and entertaining guests. The white hada, a long narrow scarf made of silk, embodies purity and good fortune.

Proposing a Toast and Tea

Proposing a Toast and Tea when you come to a Tibetan family, the host will propose a toast, usually barley wine. You should sip three times and then drink up. Entertaining guests with tea is a daily etiquette. The guest must not drink until the host presents the tea to you.

Greetings

Greetings don’t forget to add "LA" after saying hello to the Tibetan people to show respect. Make way to others. Try not to make any sounds while eating and drinking.

Sky Burials

Sky burial is a common form in Tibet. There are many prohibitions. Strangers are not allowed to attend the ceremony. Visitors should respect this custom and keep away from such occasions.

Tibetan Buddhism

Also known as the Lamaism, the Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to Tibet from the mainland and India in the seventh century. The Tibetan Buddhism consists of four major sects, the Ge-lug-pa (Yellow) Sect, the Nying-ma-pa(Red)Sec, the Saturday-kya-pa(Variegated) Sect, and the Ka-gyu-pa(White) Sect.

Pilgrimage

Festival and Holidays:

Tibetan New Year (February or March)

It is the greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times when the peach tree was in blossom, it was considered as the starting of a new year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 AD, the first day of the first month became fixed as the New Year. On the New Year's day, families unite “auspicious dipper" is offered and the auspicious words "Tashi Delek" are greeted.

Butter Oil Lantern Festival (February or March)

It's held on the 15th of the first lunar month. Huge yak-butter sculptures are placed around Lhasa's Barkhor circuit.

Saga Dawa Festival (May or June)

It is the holiest in Tibet, memorable occasions coincide on this day, Buddha's birth and Buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person within Lhasa joins in circumambulations round the city to spend their late afternoon on picnic at " Dzongyab Lukhang" park at the foot of Potala.

Gyantse Horse Race & Archery (May or June)

Horse race and archery are generally popular in Tibet, Gyantse enjoys prestige of being the earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests in early times included horse racing, archery and shooting followed by a few days' entertainment or picnicking. Presently, ball games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, barter trade are in addition to the above.

Changtang Chachen Horse Race Festival (August)

There are many horse racing festivals in Tibet, the one in Nagqu of Northern Tibet is the greatest. August is the golden season on Northern Tibet's vast grassland. Herdsmen, on their horsebacks, in colourful dresses, carrying tents and local products, pour into Nagqu. Soon they form a city of tents. Various exciting programs are held, such as horse racing, yak racing, archery, horsemanship and commodity fair.

Shoton Festival (August)

It is one of the major festivals in Tibet, also known as the Tibetan Opera Festival. The founder of the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect of Buddhism), Tsongkhapa set the rule that Buddhists can cultivate themselves only indoor in summer, to avoid killing other creatures carelessly because creatures are most active in summer. This rule must be carried out till the seventh lunar month then Buddhists go outdoor, accept yoghurt served by local people, and have fun. Since the middle of 17th century, the Fifth Dalai Lama added opera performance to this festival. Famous Tibetan opera troupes perform in Norbulingka (Dalai Lama's summer palace).

Bathing Festival (September)

It is believed when the sacred planet Venus appears in the sky, the water in the river becomes purest and cures diseases. During its appearance for one week, usually the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth lunar months, all the people in Tibet go into the river to wash away the grime of the previous year.

Kungbu Traditional Festival (November or December)

Long ago, when Tibet was in danger of large scale invasion, the Kongpo people sent out an army to defend their homeland. It was in September and the soldiers worried that they might miss the New Year, highland barley wine and other good things. So people had the Tibetan New Year on 1st October ahead of time. To memorize those brave soldiers Kongpo people present three sacrifices and stay up at night from then on. And now it has become the Kongpo Festival for entertainment like Kongpo dancing, horse race, archery and shooting.

Harvest Festival (September)

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Places to Visit in Tibet:

Remote and isolated by the most formidable mountain ranges in the World, Tibet – the ultimate travel destination - is now within your search.

Potala Palace: The dominant landmark of Lhasa 117 meters above the city below. Construction started on the red hill in 1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama. An immense building, 13 storey high with walls 3 meters thick Containing over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues it was both the residence of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former ;Heads of state. The entire building is made of stone and wood and covers an area of 130,000 square meters. The Potala is full of elaborate art work and frescos that tell many stories.

Narbulingka – summer palace: On the banks of the Kyichi River, there is a tree and flower filled pard known as the Norbulingka or the Jewel Park covering a total area of 360,000 square meters, the park was originally laid out in the 1750s. There are fountains, pavilions, terraces and stone tablets where visitors may rest amidst the numerous kinds of flowers and various colours

The whole park consists of two main parts – Norbulingka at the Eastern area and Jianselingka at the Western area.

Norbulingka is also the site of the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas (8th to 14th). The small palace of the 13th Dalai Lama is an odd mix of traditional Tibetan architecture and modern paraphernalia, such as a Philips radiogram and Victorian bathroom fittings! At Naobulingka you will also find the one and only zoo in Tibet.

Jokhang Temple + Barkhor Bazaar: The foremost monastery in Tibet, built in the 7th century AD and now housing the most prized Buddhist relic, a 1300 year old Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The main section of the temple is topped with golden roofs found nowhere else except in Tibet. Watch the many worshippers pay their respects and prostrating themselves at the main gate. The monastery is encircled with the Barkhor Bazaar a sacred pilgrim path, but also a lively & colourful market where you can bargain over such treasures a ornate long-bladed knives, prayer wheels and exquisite jewelry.

Sera Monastery: Sera is more like a small town on the outskirts of Lhasa at the base of Tatipu hill. It is the main teaching monastery and one of the three great Gelukpa 'Universities'- once housing more than 5500 monks.

Here one can see the young novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden and being rewarded for a correct answer with a resounding hand-clap from their Master, Sera is also the birthplace of Tibetan medicine.

Mount  Kailash:

Mt. Kailash (6714m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia. It is believed to be the physical embodiment of the mythical Mt Meru, said to be the center of the universe or ‘navel of the world’ . Mt. Meru is depicted as a mandala, and its image occurs throughout both Buddhista and Hindu parts of Asia. Images of Mt Meru occur as far away as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobadur in Indonesia. Mt Kailas is holy to followers of four religions. To Hindus, Kailas is the abode of Shiva and nearby Manasarobar Lake is the means or soul of Brahma. Tibetans call Kailas Kang Rimpoche. Jains worship it as Mt Ashtapada, the peak from which the religion’s founder, Rishabanatha, achieved spiritual liberation. Followers of Bon-Po, the ancient pre- Buddhist shamanistic religion of Tibet, revere Kailas as the soul of Tibet.

Another geographical factor that contributes to the mystical aspect of Kailas is that nearby are the headwaters of four major rivers of the Indian subcontinent, the Sutlej, Karnili (a major tributary of the Ganges), Brahmaputra and Indus. The mouths of these rivers ate more than 2,000 km apart, yet they all have their source within 100 km on Mt Kailas.

The circumbulation of Mt Kailash is an important pilgrimage for Hindus, Brddhistats and Jains. Hindus perforn a parikarama, Buddhistas call it a Kira. Iou are welcome to do either of these, or simply make a trek around the peak. Tibetan Buddhists believe that a single kora washes away the sins of one life and that 108 circuits secure nirvana in this life. Devout Tibetans often make the 52 km circuit in a singles day. Indian Pilgrms make the circuit in three days, but this also is rushed, particularly since the circuit, though mostly level, involves the crossing of a 5630m pass. A four-day trek is for more enjoyable and rewarding

Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims make a clockwise circuit of the peak. Bon-Po tradition is to circumambulate in the opposite direction. As you circle Kailash by the traditional rout, you will meet followers of Bon-Po making a Kora in the opposite direction. When I was at Kailash there was a large contimgent of Bon-Po pilgrims from faraway Kham and Nakchu. We were astounded at the huge number of adherents to what has been described as an ‘ancient pre-Buddhist’ religion making the counterclockwise circuit.

There is also an ‘inner Kora’ that passes two lakes to the south of kailash. Tradition dictates that only those who have made 13 circumambulations of Kailash may follow this inner route. This tradition is so important to Tibetans that we were required to assure our hosts that we would not violate the sanctity of this route before they allowed us to proceed to Darchan

Manasarovar:

At an elevation of 4510m, is more important to Hindus than to Buddhists. Hindu pilgrims make an 85km. circuit around Manasarovar that is made longer and more difficult by marshes and complicated stream crossings. The Tibetans, being more pragmatic, often make a circuit of the lake in the winter when the streams are frozen and the route is shorter. Near Manasarovar is another large lake, Rakshas Tal, the ‘Demon Lake’ that holds far less spiritual significance.

Trithapuri

It is situated 70 Km west of Kaiash which on the bank of River Satlaj. It is very colorful area with Hot spring. It is believed that it is the place where demon Bhasmasure was burnt to ash. The area is made from red and white mountains

Drepung Monastery: Drepung monastery is situated in the west suburbs of Lhasa city. Formerly the largest and richest monastery in the world with 10,000 manks (now 400). It is the size of a small town and lies sprawled over the size of a small town and lies sprawled over the side of a mountain 8 km from Lhasa. Of particular interest is the medieval monk's kitchen with its great cauldrons of steaming barley 'stamp' sitting on top of huge earthen stoves and tented by saffron-robed monks wielding massive ladles…

From the roof of the monastery one can enjoy the natural beauty of the Lhasa valley to one's heart content

Tsurpu: Tsurpu monastery I built on the north side of the river in the Dowo Lung Valley. This is the home of Karmapa, Karmapa is the true 'living little Buddha' – the new reincarnated leader of the black hat sect. He is the only spiritual leader actually living in Tibet. The recent recognised 17th Karmapa can be visited by all visitors. Tsurpu monastery was built in 12th century. Tsurpu is the riches monastery in Tibet

Gyantse: Once Tibet's third most important city, lying in the Nyangchu valley along the main routes from India and Nepal to Lhasa. In former times it was a fort, the centre of Tiber's wool trade and a gateway to the outside world. Other spots of interest: Palcho monastery and the Kumbum Pagoda

Shigatse: Shigaste is Tibet's second largest city. It is the administrative centre for 18countries in southern and western Tibet. Besides its fiche cultural heritage, Shigatse has and abundance of native fruits and products. At the bazaar, there are more than 300 stalls selling local produce as well as colourful and elaborate handicraft, accessories, antiques and porcelains.

In Shigatse one can also find Tashilumpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama. The Monastery, built in 1447 by a nephew of Tsong Khapa once housed over 4000 Monks, but now there are only 600.

Sakya Monastery

In 1073 Gongjue Jiebu of the Kun family built a monastery on the north bank of Zongqu River to teach his new esoteric theory of Buddhism. He was convinced that the monastery built on such a site would light the mundane world. Because the monastery was built by a chalky hill, it was named Sakya, meaning chalky earth in Tibetan. The Sakya Monastery built by (popular known as the North Temple) became inadequate for rising and evermore powerful Sakya establishment. A larger monastery, which is still standing today, was built on the south bank of Zongqu River by the Kun house and Pagpa, a well-known Tibetan in the Mongolian imperial court of the 13th century. This monastery, now popularly known as the South Sakya, sits against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains 165 kilometers west of Shigatse. In 1260 Pagpa was appointed the imperial tutor and later placed in charge of Buddhist affairs. Kublai Khan then appointed him ruler of Tibet.

When the visitor approaches this massive structure, he will see a great monastery in an imposing square citadel. The outer wall is painted red, white and black, each representing the different manifestations of Buddha, a unique feature of Sakya. The Lakang Qinmu Hall, the main structure in the complex, occupies an area of 5,500 square meters with a height of over 10 meters. According to monastery records, the hall had 108 giant columns. Now there are only 40 left, with many anecdotes about them. The entire complex gives a feeling of solemnity laden with the weight of history.

Samye

Built in the mid-8th century, Samye is the first formal Buddhist Monastery with the Buddha Dharma and Sangha in Tibet. The whole construction of the monastery, for the stupas forest-like, the building high and expansive, the scale grand and broad, is designed in accordance with the shape of "mandala" layout, and furthermore, the monastery is well-known to the whole world for the highlighted and mixed perfection of Han, Tibetan and Indian architecture style in the main hall and the numerous relics such as wood and stone carvings, frescos and statues kept in the monastery. As described in a historical book, this monastery is considered "an unimaginable construction and incomparable monastery". Over the centuries it has come under the influence of the Nyingma, Sakya and Geluk schools and is thus considered a symbol of Tibet’s national identity.

 Tsetang (Zetang)

Tsetang (Zetang), the birthplace of earliest Tibetans, sits on the south bank in the middle section of the Yarlung Tsangbo River Traduk Monastery is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Tibetan history. Built in 641 A.D., it is said that King Songtsan Gampo established the temple to suppress the ogress in order to prosper his kingdom. And later it became the winter palace of King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng in Shannan. Of all the treasures and relics kept in this monastery, the pearled Tangka -- "Avalokitesvara at his rest" is the most remarkable

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Tibet Travel Permits & Tibet Visa:

There are two kinds of permits (Tibet visa) for traveling in Tibet: the entry permit (TTB permit) and the Alien's travel permit (PSB permit). You can get them easily from Asian Journey Trekking.

TTB Permit - Tibet Entry Permit (Tibet visa)

When you fly from any city to Lhasa you will need to show this permit when you check in at the airport. Furthermore, whenever you buy a flight to Lhasa you need to show this permit. TTB permits are also needed by groups traveling by Land Cruiser but this will be arranged by the travel agency organizing the trip. Here is a picture of TTB permit (click on the picture to enlarge):

PSB Permit - Alien's Travel Permit

If you want to go further to the "unopened" areas, you need an Alien's travel permit issued by PSB of Tibet. It is called "Alien's Travel Permit" or "PSB permit". Here is a picture of PSB permit :

How to get the travel permits?

Because we are a LOCAL travel agency, it's quite easy for you to get a travel permit with our help. Simply send us your

1) full name;

2) gender;

3) date of birth;

4) passport number;

5) nationality

- all exactly the same as on your passport. And you need to tell us your occupation because journalists and people that could be involved in political matters could be revoked (they need more complicated procedure to get a permit).

You need to apply for the travel permit at least 10 days prior to your entry date.

Please note that if you do not book any tour from us, we can not help you get the permits. No travel agency can provide "permit-only" service.

"Lhasa PSB will not issue travel permits to individuals and will direct you to a travel agency. Agencies can arrange a travel permit to almost anywhere but only if you book a Land Cruiser, driver and a guide."

Important Issues about Tibet Travel Permit

1. All kinds of people can get Tibet permit through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

2. After having a permit, a travel agency could buy you the air tickets, and you can pass the check-in at the airport and the check point reroute with the permit.

3. Only the guide could hold the permit after you establish yourself on Tibet land. You are not allowed to bring with it and travel to anywhere you want because except Lhasa you need another permit named as "Aliens’ Permit". Otherwise if you are stopped by the police you will be sent out of Tibet or have trouble politically and economically. Furthermore, the travel agency which helped to get you the permit will also be in trouble.

Therefore seriously not any legitimate travel agency could sell you the Tibet permit if you do not book a tour with them. We don't think you would like to be in trouble due to a "sold" Tibet permit after you pay a lot of money for the tour.

4. There is a service charge (by the government) to get the Tibet permit. And it takes time, paper work, transportation fee and delivery fee for us to get a permit for you, so ATT will charge an extra fee for the permits.

How much is Tibet permit?

Answer: First of all, please note that we never SELL a permit. We only help you abtain a permit from the local authority. As mentioned above, the cost for a permit includes the charge by the government and the service fee by ATT. Usually this cost is included in the quotation for a package tour.

How long can I get Tibet Permit?

Answer: Generally it needs three days to get the Tibet permit if you could supply the full necessary documents. But if it needs another 3 days (or more) to Express Deliver the permit.

There is a trick that when you apply for China visa, please do not mention Tibet. After you get China visa you can easily get Tibet permit. Otherwise you have to wait for Tibet permit and then you can get China visa. Of course you will face the risk of that you might be refused to come to Tibet even if you get China visa but your destination is Tibet. In our experience seldom does TTB refuse tourists if they are not of those three kinds of people mentioned above: diplomat, journalist, government officials.

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Other documents:

Other documents are the same as you travel to other places of China - you need hold a valid passport with valid visa (issued by Chinese Embassy).

If you are coming to Lhasa from Kathmandu, you'd better get China visa from Kathmandu because no matter you've already got the visa in your country or not, you must get a visa in Kathmandu, which is regulated in an official memo between China and Nepal.

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History and Geography:

History

Shamanism was the predominant religion before the introduction of Buddhism in the 7th century.  Buddhist missionaries from India came to Tibet and started an alphabet system for the Tibetan language and started translations of Buddhist texts.  During this time Tibet was a strong kingdom but by the 10th century, things began to fall apart with Tibet separating into several principalities.  In 1206, Genghis Khan included Tibet in his empire and in the mid-1600's, the Mongols allowed the Dalai Lama to have political power within Tibet.  This was done after he was named the head of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism in the 15th century.

China came to control Tibet in the 18th century, but they didn't maintain their authority for many years.  In 1911, Tibetan's rebelled and started asserting their authority and independence by trying to get rid of China's officials and military stationed in Tibet.  This was completed by 1913, but a meeting was held with Britain, China and Tibet to come to an agreement regarding Tibet's borders and their status as an independent region.  China never came to an agreement and the situation became tense finally culminating in battle in eastern Tibet in 1918.  The British attempted to settle the dispute with a truce, but they were largely unsuccessful. 

Qamdo (Chamdo) was invaded by Communist Troops not more than a year after their control of mainland China.  This occurred in October 1950, and by May 1951 the Tibetan government conceded to the Chinese and gave up their independence.  They signed a treaty that gave the Dalai Lama (who was 15 at the time) domestic power, but any affairs related to foreign matters or the military was to be deferred to the Chinese government.  Improvements were made to communications in Tibet, as well as improving transportation - military highways and airfields were built in a number of areas in the region 

Thing began heating up around 1956, when a committee was established to plan for Tibet's constitution as an autonomous region of China.  This caused some rebellions in Sichuan province against the Chinese by ethnic Tibetans.  The Dalai Lama was in India at the time and threatened to stay away from Tibet.  When the Chinese government halted the process of transferring Tibet into a socialist region, the Dalai Lama returned, even though the eastern rebellion hadn't been stopped.  Things didn't improve, especially with the US's CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) involvement.  By 1959, with the CIA's help, the rebellion escalated into a revolt in Lhasa that lasted until 1971.  Although it lasted over 10 years, after 1959 it wasn't really considered to be a threat by the Chinese, just an annoyance.  During this time the Dalai Lama went back to India, and the acting head of the region became the Panchen Lama.  Tibetans fled the region in the tens of thousands, with most going to India and others going to Nepal and Bhutan.  Tibet formally became an autonomous region of China in 1965 and was reorganized to become a socialist region.

The Panchen Lama was released from jail in 1978, after serving 14 years for criticizing China's rule over Tibet, and was put back in his former position.  Surprisingly, the Chinese government agreed that Tibet hadn't been managed well and stated they would be making reforms.  Tibetans weren't satisfied with the reforms and showed their distaste by giving violent protests in 1987.  Negotiations failed in 1988 to resolve the conflict when the Dalai Lama wouldn't renounce the independence of Tibet and China wouldn't budge on giving Tibet more autonomy.

1993 brought about more demonstrations with the addition of terrorism and in 1995 things escalated with the selection of a new Panchen Lama.  The Tibetans sent their selections to the Dalai Lama in India, who selected a boy named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, a six-year old.  Not pleased with their authority being overlooked, the Chinese came up with their own candidate another six-year old by the name of Gyaincain Norbu.  Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was held in detention with his family and in 1996 they came down on Tibetan monasteries, which caused the injury and death of some monks.  The drama ended in late 1996 with the government putting the Panchen Lama leader in prison.

Geography

Geographically, Tibet can be divided into three major parts, the east, north and south. The eastern part is forest region, occupying approximately one-fourth of the land. Virgin forests run the entire width and length of this part of Tibet.

The northern part is open grassland, where nomads and yak and sheep dwell here. This part occupies approximately half of Tibet.

The southern and central part is agricultural region, occupying about one-fourth of Tibet's land area with all major Tibetan cities and towns such as Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse ad Tsetang located in this area, it is considered the cultural center of Tibet.

The total area of the Tibet Autonomous Region is 1,200,000 square kilometers and its population is 1,890,000. The region is administratively divided into one municipality and six prefectures. The municipality is Lhasa, while the six prefectures are Shigatse, Ngari, Lhaoka, Chamdo, Nakchu and Nyingtri(kongpo). The People's Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region exercises the highest administrative authority in Tibet.

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Visitors Information:

When to Visit?
From April to November is the perfect time to head up to Tibet. Tibet is not as cold as it sounds. During tourist season it is cold at night and warm and sunny during the day. The temperature falls dramatically in shade and at night. For the festivals the best months are February, March and June-September.

Chinese visa and travelling permit

All visitors entering Tibet require a SPECIAL TRAVEL PERMIT. Chinese visa, obtained by the visitors in their home town will not be valid entering into Tibet. The Chinese Government will not give out visas to single people, only groups of 4 people or more. The Chinese government encourages (strongly) travellers to enter the country in groups. So that all our tour is in joining group basic. You are requested to submit us the following passport information at least 18 days before trip departure for visa procedure. At least 2 days before tour commencement, original passports must require

1. Name in full (as in passport):

2. Sex:

3. Nationality:

4. Passport Number:

5. Date of birth:

6. Occupation:

Temperature & Clothing

Average temperature in Tibet is 5 to 20 degree Celsius in the month of April through October. During trekking season, the night temperature in the mountain areas often falls below freezing.

Recommended clothing to travel Tibet

You are required to have adequate warm clothes to save from extreme cold. It’s better to dress in layers that can be easily put on & off as required. It is advisable to carry a raincoat because snow or rain can also occur sometimes.

-Thermal underwear, woollen or silk long sleeve tops & bottoms

-Woollen shirts, pullover, pants, socks, hat, gloves & scarves

-Down jacket or wind breaker

-Good walking boots or shoes

-Sun hat, sun glass, suntan lotion, torch light, pen knife

-Medicine for common colds, headache, diarrhoea & Diamox against altitude sickness

Health

It is necessary to be physically fit & healthy to participate on our Tibet tour. Even if, there is no particular age limit guideline, children below 10 years or elderly people exceeding 75 years are advised not to take participation. Doctor's medical certificate is essential for trip participation. Those who suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems require a medical certificate from your doctor.

Insurance

All the clients travelling to Tibet must have full insurance against medical and person accident risk, natural calamities, political instability, etc.

Time

08 hours ahead of GMT. Note Tibet is linked to Beijing time so when you cross the border to Nepal the time change is considerable. Nepal is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT.

How to Enter Tibet?

By Air: This unique land is now easily accessible from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Schedule air services fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and back every Tuesday and Saturday with additional flights on Thursdays from July. This flight lasts a little over one hour and gives you a panoramic view of the Himalayas.

By Land: The Friendship Highway starts from the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, crossing Hangmu Friendship Bridge( SinoNepal Friendship Bridge) at Kodari to Neyalamu County in Tibet and crosses Shigatse-- the second largest city of Tibet to the capital of Tibet-Lhasa. It covers a distance of more than 900 km. We are also blessed is easy to have a view of Mt. Everest when take this road.

We have different package tour programs to this fascinating land. They will give you a reason to get up early. Please check out Programs by clicking link below TRAVEL SERVICE. A trip not is missed in this lifetime!

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People & Language:

People
The majority of Tibet’s population of 1,890,000 is Tibetans. Tibet is so thinly populated that it averages out 1.6 8 persons per square kilometers. About 90% of the people live on farming and husbandry. Farmers live in the valleys of Tsangpo River (Brahmapotra) and its major tributaries Kyichu and Nuuang-chu. This area produces barely, wheat, peas and rape-seed, the great northern grassland which occupies a good half of Tibet is the home of nomads, yaks and sheep. Nomads have no fixed abodes, and keep roaming along fine pasture together with all their belongings-tents and Livestock. The remaining populations, approximately 10%, live in towns earning their living mainly on business and handicraft, and many are factory workers and government officials.

Ideology of people in this land differs greatly from any other nationality both at home in china and in the world. Religion seems almost everything. Many live for the next life, rather than for the present. They accumulate deeds of virtue and pray for the final liberation-enlightenment. Lips and hands of the elders are never at still, either busied in murmuring of the six syllable mantic prayer OM Ma Ni Pad Me Hum (Hail the Jewel in the Lotus) or in rotation of hand prayer wheels, or counting of the prayer beads. Pious pilgrims from every corner of Tibet day to day gather at Jokhang Temple and Bharkor Street offering donations and praying heart and soul for their own Selves, for their friends, and for their friends' friends.

Frequent visitors to Tibet can make out folks from different regions judging by costumes and dialects. Folks from agricultural regions dress in woolen home-woven gowns, and those from the grassland clad in sheepskin. Men folk from chamdo wear huge tassels of black or red silk which were used in old days for protection in fight, while the Lhasa residents are more stylish and modern. Dialects in Tibetan are in variety, but mainly can be categorized into four such as lhasa., Tsang (Shigatse and Gyantse), Chamdo and Amdo.

Language

Tibetan is spoken in Tibet. Tibetan is written in a very conservative syllabary script based on the writing system of the ancient Sanskrit language of India. Used in its present form since the 9th century, it was developed as a means of translating sacred Buddhist texts that were being brought into Tibet from India. The writing system derived from the pronunciation of the language as it was in about the 7th century, and varies in many ways from colloquial Tibetan as it spoken today.

Weather & Climate:

The Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. It is suitable for travel to Tibet from April to the beginning of November, and the best time is August and September. But if you only stay in Lhasa, you can go there any time of the year.

The sunlight is extremely strong in Tibet in Lhasa its so intense that the city is called Sunlight City. The thin air can neither block off nor retain heat so that the temperature extremes can be met in daytime and the same night respectively in Tibet. However it is not impossible to visit the holy snow land. May, June and September are the tourism season in east Tibet.

Most annual rainfall comes in the rainy season that starts from June to September. Usually it rains at night in Lhasa, Shigatse and Chamdo area. The rainfall may block roads and make travel difficult but the scenery at the time will be the best.

Listed below we provide more specific information in different areas:

Lhasa /Shigatse /Lhatse /Tingri /Nyalan: Along the Friendship highway generally good conditions year around. From December to February, you may experience difficulties with the road. Try to avoid August  as landslides could occur in the rainy season.

Mt. Everest Area: Early May and early October are the best time to visit Mt. Everest. Clear weather, provides a great chance to see Mt. Everest's true face (if you are lucky). From December to February, this area is too cold - except if you are real Adventure People.

(Mt.Kailash): Even without climate restrictions, this area is already inhospitable. Large amounts of rain and snow could affect your journey. However, for those determined tourists, the appropriate time is May, June, July, September and October.

Eastern Tibet: Try to avoid this area in July and August as the rainy season can damage the road, making terrible landslides. In winter, the road could be frozen.

Northern Tibet: With the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very limited time for tourists. Summer (July to August) is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet.

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