Tibet, the ‘forbidden’ land, is protected by the great Himalayan chain in the south and west, and even more inhospitable mountains to the north and the east. It is a land of great beauty, of vast landscapes and glittering peaks, high altitude deserts, densely forested gorges, brilliant skies, clean rivers, and little modern development. It is located at the main part of the Qinghal-Tibet plateau, the southwest frontier of China. Tibet borders with Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Xinjiang; to the south contiguous to India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Burma, and bounded by Kashmir on the West.
Tibet is mostly a high plateau and mountain wilderness, little of which is below 3000 m. Most of the plateau is desert or moor land, which is blanketed by snow during the harsh winter, but provides good grazing for yak and sheep in the summer months. The central Yarlung Tsang Po valley and its tributaries (which include the Lhasa River) are more fertile and enjoy a more temperate climate, but it is only in the southeast corner of Tibet, where the Arun and Yarlung Tsang Po plunge down to Nepal and India respectively, that the empty plateau gives way to a lush, forested landscape. Forests of spruce and firs are found along the lower altitude, whereas vast plateaus, rich of juniper trees and grasses are found along the higher altitudes. In the center valley weeping willows, oleander, pansy, and some indigenous flowers like “Tsi-Tog” or light pink are the common sights. Fauna section includes wild yak, horses, ass, blue sheep, snow leopard, red deer, antelope, mouse, hares and marmots. Also, the black-necked cranes are a common sight in most of the regions.
The heart of Tibet is its religion: A highly developed form of Buddhism introduced from India and conditioned by the traditional Bon religion. It dictated the whole way of life for many centuries, and the focal point of all communities was the monastery, which held economic sway over every family. This traditional way of life was catastrophically affected by the annexation of Tibet by China in 1959, and the departure of the Dalai Lama. The more secular program of modernization saw the dismantling of the religious infrastructure, and the Cultural Revolution resulted in the wholesale destruction or abandonment of most of the monasteries and religious schools, tearing the heart out of the body of the community.
Centuries of tradition cannot however be changed in a few years, and even after years of attempts to impose communism, along with the terrible destruction wrought during the Cultural Revolution, the old traditions and culture are very much alive. This is now aided by a significant change of policy, which has seen many monasteries and temples renovated and restored, though sadly many of the finest wall paintings and works of art have been lost for ever. Belief and prayer are now generally tolerated, and many previously banned festivals are being accepted. Sometimes parts of the road are closed and you must take alternative routes to reach your destination. However, the spectacular scenery more than compensates for the occasional discomforts or disruptions associated with traveling in this area.
Tibet is one of those extraordinary destination where adventure indeed lurks around every corner! Adventure on the road is never short on the beautiful Transhimalayan drive, through mountain, passes, promising a plethora of a cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. It culminates on an arid plateau - a veritable treasure trove of architectural masterpieces - the Buddhist monasteries of Drepung, once the largest in the country, The Jhokhang - a spiritual center, and the awesome palaces of the Dalai Lama - Norbulinga (the summer palace) and the Potala (the traditional seat).
Relevant Information For Tibet Tour
Clothing accessories
Warm clothes are required to avoid the frosty cold weather during the month of October, November, December, January, February and March. Whereas months of April, May, June, July, August and September can allow you to wear light clothes to shun the scorching heat. However a jacket and sweater are advised through out the year as the weather may unexpectedly change at any time. Other recommended items are: A domestic first aid kit, water purification tablets, toilet and tissue paper, flashlight, sleeping bag, comfortable walking shoes, dust masks, utility knife, sun hat, sun glasses, sun-tan lotion, and limited number of clothes.
Customs : There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorder or radios as long as they are for personal use or if commercial use should be registered with a custom official. Printed matters considered unsuitably by the Chinese government are prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed to be excessive.
WHAT TO TAKE
Food – snacks along the way
Water bottles (use iodinated or boiled water)
Personal medical kit and diamox tablets for high altitude
Sunglasses
Sun screen lotion
Toilet paper
Flash light batteries
Day pack
Camera and film
Bandanna / Scarf or mask – to protect your lungs from dust
A good Guide book on Tibet
Kathmandu-Lhasa route map
High altitude sickness : Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is common at high altitudes, and depends on the elevation, the rate of ascent and individual susceptibility. Most visitors to Tibet will suffer from at least some symptoms that will generally disappear through acclimatization in several hours to several days.
Symptoms tend to be worse at night, and include headache, dizziness, lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness and irritability. Difficulty sleeping is another common symptom. Many travelers have trouble sleeping for the first few days after arriving in Lhasa.
To prevent high altitude sickness :
• Drink extra fluids. The mountain air is dry and cold and moisture is lost as you breathe. Evaporation of sweat may occur unnoticed and result in dehydration.
• Eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy.
• Avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and don't smoke.
• Avoid sedatives.
• Don't push yourself when climbing up to passes, rather take plenty of breaks.
• Avoid catching cold before you entering Tibet.
Medicine : Following is a list of items you should consider including in your medical kit - consult your pharmacist for brands available in your country.
Aspirin or paracetamol - for pain or fever
Antihistamine - for allergies, e.g. hay fever; to ease the itch from insect bites or stings; and to prevent motion sickness.
Antibiotics-consider including these if you're traveling well off the beaten track' see your doctor, as they must be prescribed, and carry the prescription with you.
Loperamides or Diphenoxylate 'blockers' for diarrhea' Prochlorperazine or metaclopramide for nausea and vomiting
Rehydration mixture to prevent dehydration, e.g. due to severe diarrhea (particularly important when traveling with children);
Insect repellent, sunscreen, lip balm, eye drop.
Calamine lotion, sting relief spray or aloe vera-to ease irritation from sunburn and insect bites or stings
Antifungal cream or powder - for fungal skin infections and thrush
Antiseptic, such as povidone-iodine for cuts and grazes
Bandages, band-aids or plasters and other would dressings.
Scissors, tweezers and a thermometer (note that mercury thermometers are prohibited by airlines)
Syringes and needles in case you need injections in a country with medical hygiene problems. Ask your doctor for a note explaining why you have them.
Cold and Flu tablets, throat lozenges and nasal decongestant
Multivitamins - consider for long trips, when dietary vitamin intake may be inadequate.
CULTURAL CONSIDERATION
The Tibetans are among the easiest people to get along with in Asia. But still there are some cultural considerations you should better to pay attention to when you travel in Tibet.
• Do not photograph them without permission!
• Always circumambulate gompas and other religious objects clockwise, thus keeping shrines and chortens to your right.
• Don't touch or remove anything on an altar.
• Don't take photos during a prayer meeting. At other times always ask permission to take a photo, especially one using flash. The larger monasteries charge photography fees.
• Don't wear shorts or short skirts in a monastery.
• Take your hat off when you go into a chapel.
• Don't smoke in a monastery.
• Do not eat dog, donkey, or horse meat in Tibet.
• Be aware that Tibetans often gesture with their lips to show a direction, so if a member of the opposite sex pouts at you they are just showing you where to go.
MONEY AND CREDIT CARD
In Tibet, the only place to change foreign currency and travelers cheques is the Bank of China. The top end hotels in Lhasa have exchange services but they are only available for guests. The sensible thing to do is to change as much money in Lhasa as you think you need. The only other places to change money are in Shigatse, Zhangmu and Purang (or perhaps Ali). If you are traveling upcountry, try and get your cash in small denominations: RMB100 and RMB50 bills are sometimes difficult to get rid of in rural Tibet. If you don't like the idea of turning up at the border with no Chinese currency you can buy cash RMB from banks in Hong Kong and the Bank of China in large cities.
Credit Cards : Credit cards are not recommended as a way of payment in Tibet. Flights and Lhasa can not be paid using a credit card. The Lhasa central branch of the Bank of China is the only place in Tibet which provides credit card advances. A 4% commission is usually deducted and the minimum advance is normally RMB1200.
Traveler’s Cheques : Traveler’s cheques are now acceptable at the Bank of China. It is recommended that you cash them in Lhasa.
Remark : In Tibet, coins are not acceptable even for donations, and sometimes the new versions of money are not recognized and accepted either.
AIRPORT TAX
The airport departure tax on Lhasa / Kathmandu flight is included in the flight fare. The airport tax on Kathmandu / Lhasa flight is approximately US$ 25 which is payable at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
