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me at Potala
it's easier to smile going down than climbing up Tibet is an amazing country, with some of the most beautiful, kind, people I have ever encountered, as well as some of the most enterprising people trying to turn the quickest profit they can off the place. It tops many travelers lists as a must visit place, and it's on my "Must re-visit" list as well.
Here are my pointers and suggestions for anyone planning to go:
What to bring physically:
*sunscreen (I wore SPF15-30 everyday and left with a nice glow to my very pale skin)
*sunglasses
*nasal spray (if very dry air bothers your sinuses)
*chapstick
*sturdy shoes
Keep in Mind:
*temple and site entrance fees are higher here than anywhere else in China
*Tibet hotel standards are not even up to the rest of China's (many hotel with carpet have no vacuums- thus dirty floors- and some have squatty toilets in guest rooms). Unless you spring for the super upscale hotels, be prepared for this.
*Like the rest of China- Few places have toilet paper, so always carry your own tissue!
Also, the sewage systems can't handle toilet paper, so use the trash bins by the toilets.
Some nice places have
squatties, and some average places have Western toilets. Hard to know til you go.
*Bottled water is more expensive than in the rest of China (still under $1USD)- but if you have a sensitive stomach, don't drink the cheaper Tibetan bottled water. It's a bit rough if you're not used to it and could land you on a long trek with an upset stomach and no bathrooms in sight.
*Know what altitude sickness is before you go, and what symptoms to look for. I was fine (overweight and out of shape, but I only had problems breathing while climbing stairs/hills) but you should be prepared. You can buy the medicine at most hotels and pharmacies after arrival if you do have any problems. My guide said most people are fine until they go towards Everest Base Camp.
*the store front shops at Barkhor street charge outrageous prices. Even with my guide assisting, they still demanded 200 RMB for a shirt I could get anywhere else in China for 30-40RMB. The mentality here seems to be that if you can afford to travel to Tibet, you must be rich. I found one alright place for clothes in such
a shop, but it's best to shop the street vendors, who don't have to pay prime rent, so you have a lot more bargaining room.
Must Visit:
Drak Yerpa Monastery
Sera Monastery (between 3-5pm on weekdays for monk training)
Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Barkhor Street
Everest Base Camp (I missed it- but everyone else swears it's a MUST)
One of the lakes (I don't think seeing 2 or 3 is necessary)
Must Try:
Yak Butter Tea (order the smallest cup you can- you probably won't like it)
Tibetan Sweet Tea (masala I think)
Tibetan Noodle Soup (sweeter noodles than used in the rest of China)
My recommendations:
Shopping
Snow Leopard Industries (on the left a block down entering Barkhor street from around 100 E. Beijing Road). Showroom number is 13989010068 if you can't find it.
Best prices for Tibetan/Nepali clothes I found in a shop on the main drag and they support charities and orphanages
Travel/Tours
Tibet F.I.T. Travel Centre at Snowland Hotel (Barkhor Street)
www.tibetfit.com
fitsamdup@yahoo.com or lhakpa88@yahoo.com
phone: 0086-891-6653110 or 6551448
I only used them for my Drak Yerpa trip, but the prices for all the
tours were very reasonable, and half the price of what my hotel was quoting me for the same tour (going solo). Guy at the office spoke English well and I felt I got my moneys worth with them. If I make it back to Tibet, I'll go through them for everything.
Food and Drink
Dunya Bar and Restaurant - 100 East Beijing Road (attached to Yak Hotel)
Prices are a little high, but everything is to European standards, as it's a joint venture between Dutch, American, and local Tibetan people. Almost all Westerners here, so good place to meet others. Cheapest beer (Lhasa Beer) runs 15 RMB a bottle. Food was OK, but not really to my taste- good size and quality though.
gAnglamedo Bar - 127 E. Beijing Rd. (across from Dunya Bar)
Good place to go when Dunya closes at 10-11pm if you want another drink. They serve Chimay, Boddington's, Strongbow, among others (Boddington's was only about 50RMB a can). They have a nice ambience and seem to stay open as long as they have a crowd (which is rarely past midnight in Lhasa)
New Mandala Cafe (or Restaurant...) Barkhor Street
The third
floor is open air and affords views over the plaza and Jokhang Temple. Good menu with some Tibetan, Nepali, Western and I think Chinese options. Best prices I've found for anywhere with a view. Many guides take their groups here for a lunch while in Lhasa. Several other Westerners every time I was there. Service isn't great, but it rarely is in non-tipping countries.
Kailish Restaurant- East Beijing Road (by Traveler's Bar)
ok prices, good selection on Tibetan and Chinese dishes and a few western ones. The staff spoke some English and was happy to teach me some Tibetan phrases and make menu suggestions.
I was the only westerner there at the time, but I felt very welcomed. Nice atmosphere too.
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Chad
non-member comment
guide?
Hi there, It was fun to read your Tibet entries as I'm trying to plan going there now. Did you have to have a guide to see stuff in lhasa like potala palace, jokhang temple, etc. or could you go on your own? I was thinking of trying to get a guide for places outside lhasa but do Lhasa on my own. What do you think?