Tibet- The Roof of the World
First it was Seven years in Tibet, followed by Kundun to get me hooked. Suddenly I had a revelation, a wake-up call.
Since then, I’ve started planning, so far only in my head, my trip to Tibet and Nepal.
A few months ago I had almost touched my dream, but it was not to happen yet.
I spent hours and hours gathering information about how to go there.
Some important things to know before planning your trip:
1. You have to get a Chinese visa first.
2. You can apply for a Tibetan visa only after you get the Chinese one; apparently vice-versa won’t bear very well with the Chinese officials. Some travel agencies would facilitate the Tibetan visa if you take their packages
3. Prepare yourself for the altitude problems: headaches and some sort of sleepiness.
4. Drink lots of water while there.
5. The average temperature in the summer time is about 15°C in Lhasa, meaning that you have to be prepared with warm clothing
6. While there, allow yourself a day of accommodation: rest and sleep, take your time to absorb the new environment
The most popular tour is to Lhasa.
When booking your trip keep in mind that the busy season is July-August and although Lhasa has 14 star-rated hotels, you have to make your reservations far in advance to make sure you are going to get a room.
I was supposed to go to Beijing, therefore I looked for flights from Beijing to Lhasa. There were a few of them, but you have to have your trip to Tibet booked and preferably to be part of a group to be allowed to go there. I guess it’s all about politics.
My understanding was that it’s very difficult to get a Tibetan guide; probably it’s again due to political reasons.
A typical 4-day tour to Lhasa costs about $413 for a group of at least 6 persons; if you go by yourself would be around $1099; flight is not included.
The tour includes: The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple , Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka.
If you are more adventurous, you can take the 15-day tour from Kathmandu, which will cost you about $3200, not including the flight there.
Potala Palace
1. Visiting the golden roofs costs an extra fee of RMB 10 yuan. Taking photos inside the room also charges extra fee, the prices are clearly shown in the rooms.
2. More rooms are available in hotels on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Ways of getting to the top:
- By taxi from the back of the hill.
- Climbing up from the front path.
Opening time: 9:30am- 13:00pm; 15:00pm–18:00pm
Price for the Ticket: RMB 100 yuan per person
Jokhang Monastery
Lamas of Jokhang Monastery chant sutras at night, it is worth listening.
Guides are not enough in the monastery and only serve for tourism groups.
The life-sized statue of Sakyamuni aged 12 is the most scared statue in the eyes of Tibetan people.
The Sera Monastery is the representative monastery of the Gelugpa of the Tibetan Buddhism. It lies on the southern slope of the Serawoze Mountain in the northern suburbs of Lhasa. The monastery was built by SagyaYexei, one of the disciples of Tsongkhapa who was the founder of Gelugpa of the Tibet Buddhism in 1419. It is one of the six main monasteries of the Gelugpa of the Tibetan Buddhism. As one of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks “famous daily debates” take place.
Location: It is located in the southern slope of the Serawoze Mountain of the northern suburb of Lhasa. Some people believe it means “hailstone”, while others believe it means “raspberry”, the full name of the monastery is “Sera Thekchen-ling Monastery”.
Transportation: By minibus in downtown. It is advisable for you to take a taxi.
Open Hours: 9:00-16:00
Admission Free: RMB:30
NorbuLingka
NorbuLingka – meaning ‘Treasure Park” is named the Summer Palace, located west of Lhasa. The beautiful garden was first built in the middle 18th century. That’s where they deal with affairs and hold religious activities. The garden covers an area of 46 acres, with 370 rooms of different sizes. In the garden people worship Buddha, spend their holiday, and study the Tibetan-style palaces.
Location: NorbuLingka, colloquially named “Dalai Summer Palace”, is located about 3 kilometers west of Lhasa.
Ticket prices: RMB 2 yuan for Tibetans, RMB 70 yuan for each tourist.
Opening time: 9:00-12:00,15:00(reopen time) on Monday-Saturday. Tibetan opera performances at 11:00.
Transport: From the Tibetan Hospital to the gate. RMB 2 yuan for each person.
