Traveling to Tibet: Information for Tourists

Often described as "The Roof of the World," Tibet's highest peak features no less than the world's highest mountain, Mt. Everest. it stands high at more than 29,000 feet above sea level. Interestingly, the lower peaks of Tibet are still part of the highest peaks in the world. Even Tibet's valley bottoms are higher than many of the highest mountains in other parts of the world.

Things to Do in Tibet

Tibet is a must-visit for adventurers, religious people, and just about anybody who loves exploring various cultures and historical places. Given its mountainous features filled with cultural and historical sites, many tourists go to Tibet to explore these grand destinations in line with their sight-seeing, trekking, mountain climbing, and mountain biking adventures.

From engaging in demanding adventure sports to visiting Buddhist monasteries, tourists can find many challenging things to do in Tibet. Bikers can have a trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu while others can go for an off-road excursion to the Rongbuk Valley near the northern face of Mt. Everest. Mountain climbers have many choices for trekking regions. The skilled, fit, and brave adventurers can climb the challenging Tibetan trek route to Mt. Everest.

Location, Culture, and People

Tibet is located in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the southwest border of China. A number of its snow-covered regions stand over 15,000 feet. It also boasts an average height of more than 13,000 feet above sea level.

Although a part of China, Tibet has a distinct culture of its own. This plateau region north of Himalayas is home to the Tibetans, a minority nationality of ancient and religious people, and some other ethnic groups such as the Monpas and Lhobas, and the Han and Hui people.

A large portion of this Asian highland operates in a government nominally headed by the Dalai Lamas, a line of spiritual leaders. Most people in Tibet practice Tibetan Buddhism, which is known as Lamaism. Tibetan Buddhists believe in the existence of the "Living Buddha." A small number of Catholics and Muslims can also be found in some areas of Tibet.

Climate and Weather

Being situated in the most elevated region of the world makes Tibet freezing cold in most times of the year. Many tourists find it more advisable to visit Tibet during the considerably warmer months from April to November. May to early October are ideal times to see marvelous sights of mountainous vistas. The rainy season begins in June and usually ends in September. Those who can withstand the ultimately chilling weather during winter can also be delighted by the sights and wonders of the snowy Tibetan landscapes.

Natural Attractions

Mt. Everest is known worldwide not only to adventurers but also to students who read about it in books, couch potatoes watching it in movies and TV shows, and just about everyone interested in natural wonders, world records, and historical figures. Being the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest is the most famous tourist destination in Tibet. It borders on the central Himalayas, between China and Nepal. Climbing Mt. Everest is best done from early May to early October when there is a generally clear weather and the sights around provide awe-inspiring colors and diverse natural sceneries.

Travelers can find endless ice, stalagmites, and stalactites carved in many places in Tibet. Mountaineers and tourists can also take advantage of Tibet's other high peaks such as the Luozi, Makalu, Nanjiabawa, Xixiabangma, and Zhuoayou. Another sight to behold in the region is the Holy Snow Land, a mountain range filled with silver snow that covers a vast range of giant rock and land formations.

Many lakes and rivers also abound in Tibet. Most of them are top tourist attractions as well: the Manasarova Lake; the Gold Sand, Lancang, and Nu Rivers, collectively known as the Three Rivers; the Yaluzangbu River; and the Yandro Yumtso Lake.

Man-Made Attractions

Trademark man-made attractions in Tibet include palaces and monasteries dating from centuries ago. Some of these key historical and cultural attractions include: The Potala Palace (one of the most famous architectural works in the world that has witnessed the lives of the Dalai Lamas in its centuries of existence); the Drepung Monastery (where many historical relics, arts, crafts, and Buddhist scriptures are kept); and the more modern Tibet Museum (a new attraction that opened in 1999 during the 40th anniversary of the Democratic Reforms in Tibet).

"Attractions," Tibet Travel Experts.
"Monasteries and Temples in Tibet," Tibet Tours.
"Tibet," Wikipedia.
"Tibet Tourism," Himalaya Tourism.

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