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Potala Palace
What do people
usually think of when they hear “Tibet”?
Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, and yaks…lots of yaks.
In that land bordering Nepal and China, where yaks provide food, milk,
smelly butter and smelly fur, tourists often go on pilgrimage to visit
more than 1,000 years of history and hope for that thing Buddhist
practitioners hope for… enlightenment.
Lhasa, the Holy Land
The name “Lhasa,” literally translates to mean “Holy Land.” The
heart and soul of ancient Tibet, Lhasa has been witness to 1,300 years
of history and a stream of highly blessed men, the Dalai Lamas.
The fifth Dalai Lama made Lhasa his capital and built the Potala Palace over the
palace ruins
of former Tibet leader, Songsten Gampo. Tibet’s capital since 1642,
most of the city’s historical sights may be dated from the second stage
of the city’s development.
Tsedang, the Cradle of Tibetan Civilization and a Monkey’s Playground
Located in the Yarlung valley, Tsedang’s claim to fame is the reputation
of being Tibet’s “Cradle of Civilization.” Local belief is that the mild weather and fertile valleys of the Yarlung valley gave
breath to the great Tibetan dynasty. Legend also has it that Tibet had
its beginnings with ancestors born of a monkey and a demoness.
Hence, Tsedang actually means “Monkey’s Playground”
A visit to these two cities will not only be a visit to Tibet’s
historical origins. It is also a sneak peek at the marvelous landscape
of the area beginning with the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley.
What to Expect in Tibet:
Visitors to Tibet are often surprised by the Tibetans constantly walking
around and murmuring the mantra “Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum” (Hail to the Jewel
in the Lotus.) Religion and the next life are the common ideology here
with people concentrating on what happens in the hereafter than in the
present. Many try to accumulate “points” with deeds of virtue and
prayers for their final reward, supreme enlightenment.
Tibetan Food generally consists of just rice and fish. Expect to eat
roasted barley flour, meat or red food and milk or white food. More
adventurous travelers could try out the food at the Hard Yak Café where
everything is “by yak, and is yak.” As to if it also tastes as “yak” as
it sounds, that’s up to you to find out.
Yaks
Getting there
By air, there are several routes available: Beijing-Lhasa,
Shanghai-Lhasa, Chengdu-Lhasa, Xi'an-Lhasa, Xining-Lhasa, Guangzhou-Lhasa,
Chongqing-Lhasa, Kathmandu-Lhasa. By land, the possible routes are:
Qinghai-Lhasa, Sichuan-Lhasa, Yunnan-Lhasa and Kathmandu-Lhasa. However,
land transportation takes much longer time, and can be very tough,
especially the Sichuan-Lhasa route.
Independent tours are not allowed. Sign up with an organized tour group
or ask your travel agent to sign you up for one.
Tibet’s climate really isn’t as harsh as most people think. The best
time to go there would be from April to October. If you don’t mind the
cold, by all means, sign up for a winter tour.
What you’ll need:
An Alien Travel Permit issued by the Tibetan Tourism Bureau and a
Chinese visa which you can get from your local Chinese embassy are two
necessary documents you will need in traveling to Tibet.
For cash, US dollars are acceptable in limited circumstances like tip
giving for
example. It is still best to carry Chinese currency. The Lhasa Hotel or
the Bank of China in Tibet can change US currency to Chinese currency.
The ATMs at the Bank of China experiences bugs every now and then so always
have a fair amount stashed during your stay.
Tibet is rather high in elevation so medicines for ailments associated
with such should best be brought along for the trip: cold and flu
tablets, throat lozenges, nasal decongestant, Aspirin, Multivitamins.
Those with asthma and breathing problems should definitely take along
their puffers/medication with them. Moisturizers and good lip balm would
also be helpful in the cold, dry weather.
Some Ground Rules:
The Tibetans are generally kind and hospitable. Here are a few tips as
to not offend them and cause incident:
1. Do not take their photographs without their permission.
2. Stay away from sensitive topics like religion and politics.
3. Do not eat dogs, donkeys or horses in Tibet!
4. Don’t forget to add “la” after saying Hello to Tibetan people to show
respect. Make way for others, and try not to make any sound when eating
or drinking.
5. Some rituals, like the Sky Burial, are sacred and limited to Tibetans
only. Visitors should respect this and keep away from such occasions.
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