Why Travel to Tibet

Tibet, the Roof of the World, remained unknown to the world until the beginning of the 20th century. The massive, snowy land has exerted an awesome draw on travelers and adventurers ever since. Its majestic scenery, mysterious and exotic religious culture, and wonderful people, reward every tourist with an indelible life long memory! <snip>

Tibet shows many different faces: unique style life and lonely landscapes, Tibetan Buddhism customs and culture, lovely lakes and rough mountains. For cultural sightseeing, Lhasa is ceaselessly thriving, and inevitably, it is the one place that features on every traveler's itinerary. It is not only Tibet's biggest city and capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, but also the place where the world’s attention are attracted to. Mount Everest is great for hiking in summer. On the way up to Mount Everest we have Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. If condition permits, tourists can even see the sunrise at the monastery. Mount Kailash is considered as a sacred place in four religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bön faith. In Hindu religion, it is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva.

There's Gyantse, in the Nyang-chu Valley, famed for the largest chörten (stupa) in Tibet, and hiking in Yarlung Tsangbo Valley, widely considered the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Base yourself in Tsetang and marvel at the monkey cave in Gangpo Ri or walk the monastery Kora (pilgrim path). Your trip will take you past glittering mountain turquoise lakes and over high passes draped with prayer flags. Find a quiet spot in a prayer hall full of chanting monks, hike past the ruins of remote hermitages or make an epic overland trip along some of the world’s wildest roads. The scope for adventure is limitless.

Tibet is a uniquely spiritual place. Those moments of peace when everything is in its proper place, seem to come more frequently in Tibet, whether inspired by the devotion shown in the face of a Tibetan pilgrim or the dwarfing scale of a beautiful landscape. Tibet can truly claim to be on a higher plain.

Besides fabulous monastery sights, breathtaking high-altitude lake scenery, stunning views of the world’s highest mountains, it offers one of the most likeable peoples you will ever meet. The people here are very devout. You see them circumambulating their sacred places, like the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace, to accumulate merit. You see them doing prostrations in front of the Jokhang – they might have a goal of doing a couple hundred thousand prostrations in their lifetime as part of their attempt to reach greater enlightenment. But perhaps the most wondrous is how you see Tibetans continuously in prayer as they are walking down the street or sitting on the park bench, spinning their prayer wheel, running their fingers over their prayer beads, their lips constantly moving as they chant Om Mane Padme Hum.

Oh, and don’t overlook these simple joys of being in Tibet when planning your itinerary:

The smell of juniper incense, the low murmur of Tibetan chanting and the warm glow of butter lamps in monasteries everywhere.

Following a kora (a pilgrimage circuit) with a band of happy pilgrims or scoring a lift in the back of a pilgrim truck.

Overnighting in a small monastery such as Mindroling, Dorje Drak or Drigung Til.

Repeatedly wandering the Barkhor, different every time.

A post-hike thermos of sweet milky tea in a crowded Tibetan teahouse.

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