Landscapes
Tibet’s breathtaking scenery is unlike anything else on the planet: harsh, isolated, and memorable. The enormous Tibetan plateau set against the world’s highest mountains’ snowcapped peaks will take your breath away.
Tibet is frequently referred to as the world’s ‘roof.’ This is because the bulk of Tibet is located approximately at an elevation of 4500 meters above sea level. The Tibetan plateau runs for almost 2000 kilometers from west to east, with several peaks on Nepal’s border towering well above that.
The unforgettable flight to Lhasa across the Himalayan range highlights any trip to Tibet. The vistas of Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and numerous more peaks reaching into the horizon are stunning when the weather is clear.
Tibet is a fantastic place to go hiking. One of the most compelling reasons to visit Tibet is to see the breathtaking scenery and Himalayan vistas. You’ll be tremendously impressed by this ancient land as you journey across high passes and meandering pathways sprinkled with Buddhist prayer flags.
People and Culture
Despite recent upheaval and turbulence, seeing Tibetan culture is surely a highlight of a trip to Tibet.
Tibetans have a strong religious faith. Their dedication to Buddhism may be traced back to more than 1300 years ago when Buddhism was first introduced to Tibet. Any visit to Tibet should include a discussion of Buddhism’s enormous effect on the Tibetan people.
The Tibetan people revere the mountains as living deities and a wide variety of Buddhist gods and goddesses. Pilgrims can be seen spinning prayer wheels and going around temples, monasteries, and mountains all around Tibet. This is always done clockwise, although members of the Bon religion, which originated in Tibet, walk around sacred locations in the other direction.
Despite the beauty of the landscape, the most unforgettable moments in Tibet are likely to be experienced by the inhabitants. Whether it’s a monk in a lonely monastery offering you yak-butter tea or an impromptu picnic with a herding family on the beaches of a secluded lake, you’ll undoubtedly leave Tibet with a greater understanding and admiration of their distinct cultural identity.
Festivals
In Tibet, there are over 100 festivals held throughout the year. Visiting a Tibetan festival is a one-of-a-kind method to learn about Tibetan Buddhism.
The Saga Dawa celebration, celebrated at Mount Kailash, one of the most sacred locations in Buddhist and Hindu religions, is one of Tibet’s most important events.
Thousands of pilgrims from all around Tibet attend the Saga Dawa Festival to pay their respects to Mount Kailash. Hindus and Buddhists have traditionally viewed the sacred peak as the Mythical Mount Meru, the cosmic center from which all life flows.
Monasteries
Ancient monasteries may be found across Tibet and were historically Tibet’s most important social organizations. Monasteries are places of study where monks and nuns are responsible for maintaining and propagating Buddhist teachings, as religion is vitally important to Tibetans.
During China’s Cultural Revolution, approximately 6000 monasteries were demolished. Some monasteries were restored during the 1980s, with more religious freedom permitted. Monks have since returned to Tibet’s monasteries, and monastic instruction has resumed.
Most Tibetan monasteries and temples provide a cordial welcome to guests, and even in isolated regions, they will frequently offer lodging. Samye, Ganden, and Jorkhang were among the monasteries we visited throughout our excursions. Visiting a Tibetan monastery is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the religion that has formed Tibet today.
The Friendship Highway
Between Kathmandu and Lhasa, the Friendship Highway is an epic 850-kilometer trip. It is one of the world’s most stunning trips.
After being destroyed in the 2015 earthquake, the Nepal-Tibet border crossing was closed. However, no other sections of the highway have been destroyed, so you may still travel through Tibet to Rongphu Monastery and Everest base camp.
Traveling down the route will take two to three days, but it will be well worth it because of the breathtaking landscape along the way. You’ll visit distinctive cultural monuments as well as extensive grasslands, the Yarlung Tsangpo River’s upper valley, and spectacular Himalayan views.