Tibet Vacations

Overview

Though Tibet is now referred to as the "roof of the world," until the beginning of the 20th century, it was virtually unknown. Since the time it was revealed to the world, tourists have been fascinated with the area and culture. Separating ancient history from legend is not always an easy task. Tibet is no exception. History and legend are intricately woven to create an aura of mystic beauty. Archeological and geological discoveries lead ethnologists to believe that Tibetans are descendants of aboriginal and nomadic Qiang tribes. According to archeology, Tibetan history can be traced back 4,000 years. In 1965, the Tibet Autonomous Region was founded. When the country opened itself to tourism, large numbers of visitors from all over the world came to visit this splendid land.

Although Tibet is administered by the People's Republic of China, they have an identity and a culture all their own and is based largely on Buddhism and sacred monks. Tibetan Buddhism has developed its own distinctive characteristics and practices. A well-known example is the belief that there is a Living Buddha, who is the reincarnation of the first, a belief alien to Chinese Buddhism.

Activities & Attractions

The monasteries and temples in Tibet are absolutely exquisite and hold many stories of history and culture. Many are fascinated by the traditions and peaceful rituals as well as by the temperament of the Tibetan people. They are generally tolerant of visitors as long as respect is shown to their way of life.

Traveling across Tibet offers diversity in the way of scenery and culture. There are four mountain passes and at any point, the view is breathtaking. The wondrous palaces of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka (the summer palace), and the Potala Palace (the traditional seat) are some of the highlights of the visit to Tibet. You may also want to visit Ranwu Lake offers a breathtaking view with snow peaks, glaciers, and streams. The Ranwu Lake is surrounded by many scenic highlights like the Gangrigabu Snow Mountain in the southwest, the Azhagongla Glacier in the south and the Bosula Peak in the northeast. You can get to the lake from the town of Basu via a bus ride.

You may enjoy the chants of the Tibetan monks so much that you begin to practice it yourself just for the peace and tranquility the practice brings. The beauty of the area will leave you spell-bound and you will not soon forget the rich culture and traditions.

Lodging

Tibet has plenty of accommodation options for the tourists, from inns and villas to guesthouse and even 5-star accommodations like the Tibet Hotel Chengdu. You have four star hotels like the Lhasa Hotel, Minzhu Garden Hotel, and more.

Transportation

Highways, airlines, and railway connect Tibet to the rest of the world. Train travel to Tibet is very popular. Once you are in Tibet, you need to use transport based on the kind of terrain you will be travelling on. If you are sight-seeing around Lhasaor any of the other cities, you can hire a minivan or taxi but for less traveled paths 4WD off road vehicles are ideal.