People, Life style and Culture I When to visit Tibet I Major Attractions in Tibet I Tour Package of Tibet
The mountainous, snow covered land of Tibet (Xizang), known as the Roof of the World, for being at the highest level from the sea has appealed both the travellers and adventurers equally. Remained secluded from the world until the very beginning of the 20th century, Tibet's spectacular surroundings, mysterious religious culture, and amazing people best on the tourists an indelible memory to cherish through out their life.
Tibet (Tibet Autonomous Region, TAR for short) is bounded by India, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal. At an average height of 4,000 m from sea level, Tibet encloses some of the world's highest mountains. Covering a massive 1,220,000 square kilometers (470, 920 square miles), the plateau is surrounded by the highest mountain ranges, the Himalayas to the south, the Karakoram to the west, and the Kunlun to the north.Smaller mountain ranges block it off in the east with internal provinces of China.
Tibet with four mountains exceeding the height of 8,000 m, thirty-eight mountains exceeding the height of 7000 m, is the ultimate destinationf or the mountaineers and adventurers. This massive land is also the source of great rivers like the Yangtze, Yellow River, Nu River(Salween), Lancang River (Mekong), Yarlong Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), Indusand Ganges. Tibet is also home to the most sacred of the Hindu Pilgrimages - the Kailash Mansarovar.
With all this and more, Tibet is the heaven for the nature andadventure enthusiasts.
People, Lifestyle and Culture of Tibet
The main religion and almost all the population belong to Tibetan Buddhism, however, divided into more than 20 sects, the Gelugpa being the dominant. The Dalai Lama (currently the 14th Lama) enjoys respectand honour both in political and religious matters. The disputes with the Chinese government (the People's Republic of China) leading to the formation of Government in exile, by the Dalai Lama 14th (his full nameis Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso) and consequentlyh is stay in India has been a matter of political dispute for long.
The plateau offers distinct varieties of cultural dimensions, all different from one another with varying regions. Tibetans are mainly divided into several groups, the prominent among them being Changri, Nachan and Hor, further divided into fifty two sub tribes. The effect of multi ethnicity is clearly visible, as most of the groups have a distinct identity. However, Muslims (Tibetan Muslim) and Quiang (livingin the Kham region) are also found in minority. In the Eastern part, alarge number of Han Chinese have also settled in, adding more ingredients to both political and cultural dilemma. Assimilation however seems difficult as most Tibetan descendents have a negative sentiment towards them.
The contradictory differences, a matter of Rejoice for a neutral or unaware traveller open up the chapters of many different cultural aspects of Tibet. The adaptability of the Tibetan people to extreme weather conditions is also eye catching and more interestingly, a matter of scholarly research for the biologists. But that’s less important for a layman who, due to the extremities of climate might fall sick, finding the Tibetan medicine more important which, is an amalgamation of medical tricks of India, China and Persia.
When the ancient, natural Tibetan medicine recovers a person, he sees the beauty of another Tibet. And if not yet, the monks are there to convince, that surrender to the beliefs of Buddhism is essential to earn some instant karma, especially if you want it in short time.Interestingly, when you follow him to try your hands in the spiritual prayer wheels in the Monasteries, to get your spirits a high, you discover that Tibetans wear splendidly colourful woolens. However, if you use to be in some Muslim village, you will find Mosques as usual and then you will find the bearded men and women with, shawls covering their head, you will feel you are in the same world, perhaps only with different altitude.
The most common thing, which will stay with you through out your tourin Tibet are - the Prayer flags, Mani stone, Prayer wheel, Mandala, stupa, Tsa-Tsa and the Butter Sculpture, which you will find almost everywhere. The favorite color, may vary with persons, but in Tibet itis unanimously blood-red, as you might have seen in Hollywood Monk-Movies.
Tibet is best visited during the Tibetan month (the month of February &March), which being the beginning of New Year, is full of festivities, foods and fun. Popularly known as Losar, the festival will give acomplete insight into the culture and tradition of Tibet.
Tibetans don’t lack in either festivities or fun but in literacy, that’s decreasing, and (may be) in security but that never deviates one from the charm of high altitudes, extreme cold temperature and colourful culture, extremely essential for a good tourism experience.
Transportation in Tibet
Getting there
Lhasa (capital) airport is connected with the Chengdu, the capital ofthe Sichuan province. Flights to Lhasa from Chengdu depart twice(sometimes thrice a week). Other cities that are directly linked with Lhasa through air route are Chongqing, Xian, and Kathmandu (Nepal).
Bamba, the airport at highest altitude and built at a cost of 250 million Yuan, is another airport in Tibet.
Gettingaround
If you were visiting Tibet before 1951 you could have dreamt of a motor vehicle. But now, Tibet has many good roads, thanks to the Chinese government, Chengdu-Lhasa and Xining-Golmud-Lhasa are the main highways.Trunk roads have also been constructed that connect Tibet to Sinkiang,Yunnan, and Nepal.
A few buses are available to commute between cities, but keeping acheck is must as services are not frequent.
When to visit Tibet
Tibet, though a harsh place according to climatic conditions, the friendly and soothing hospitality could serve as healers. The summersare the best time to visit, since the temperatures remain around 30°C(maximum), while winters see extremely cold weathers, even -16°C(minimum).
May/June is the best time to visit the northern Tibet, as it remains bright, shiny and festive. Eastern Tibet can be best-explored in May, June and September. Though rains reign the climate of Southern Tibet during June-Seoptember, its also best time to enjoy the natural beauty.
Lhasa, Shigatse, Zhangmu, Nyalamu, Tingri, Xegar, Lhatse, Xigatse,Tashilhunpo Monastery, Gyantse, Phalkor monastery, Yamadroke Lake, SeraMonastery, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace etc.
Major Tourist Attractions in Tibet
CentralTibet : Lhasa - Shigatse, Gyangatse, Tsedang, Potala palace, Seramonastery, Drepung monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor market, Norbulingkha - Dalai Lama's palace, Mt. Kailash, Kashgar, Paryang Mansarovar lake etc.Eastern Tibet : Pasaumtso (Draksum Lake), Pasaumtsoto Nyingte via Sikemla pass trekking, Tsedang visit (Yumbulhakang andTardruk Temple and Kings Tome), Samye Monastery visit, Lanzhuo & Ladrang camping, Ladrang & Repkong camping, Ziling & Kumbumcamping, Kumbum & Chabcha camping, Chabcha & Mt Amnye Machencamping, Kham lakes, Etc.
Northern Tibet : Northern Tibet Plateau, Xigaze(Qiangtang Plateau, along the Yarlung Tsangpo River), Riwuqi ancientfort to Sagar, Zongbar to Paryang river bank and desert camping, Barheto Guge dynasty ruin, Mount Everest, Dinzi and Zhangmu visit.
Western Tibet : The Monasteries of Spiti and Kunavar,Kodari, Nyalam, Yak Kharka, Dongpa, Mayumla Phedi, Lake Manasarovar,Dirapuk, Zutulphuk, Mt. Kailash Parikrama.
Adventure sports : Rafting the Kong Po Chu &Draksum Chu, Lhasa -Kathmandu mountain biking, crossing the border fromTibet into Nepal etc.
Tour Package of Tibet
