No place on earth compares to Tibet — the place the pure grandeur of the Himalayas and pristine turquoise lakes type a shocking backdrop for historical Tibetan Buddhist temples. It’s a photographer’s dream, mysterious and otherworldly. All in the identical day, you could encounter a smiling nomad together with his yaks in a inexperienced valley, glaciers snaking down from snow-covered, sky-high passes, and maroon-robed monks chanting within the flickering glow of lots of of butter lamps. In case you’ve been dreaming of visiting Tibet for so long as you may keep in mind, listed below are my suggestions for the 15 most stunning locations to go to in Tibet…
Yamdrok Lake – an virtually unreal turquoise blue holy lake on the highway from Lhasa to Everest
You get your first view of Yamdrok Yumtso, as it’s recognized to Tibetans, if you attain the Kamba La Move (4852 meters/ 15,915 ft) on the highway from Lhasa to Gyantse. The lake is likely one of the three most sacred lakes in Tibet, and is residence to Samding Monastery, distinctive as a result of it is likely one of the few Tibetan monasteries headed by a girl.
Lhasa – Metropolis of the Gods and one of the beautiful locations to go to in Tibet
Lhasa holds most of the non secular and cultural treasures of Tibet, and even for those who go nowhere else in Tibet, Lhasa presents a genuinely extraordinary expertise. A few of the most well-known factors to sightsee are the hovering, World-Heritage-Website Potala Palace (former residence of the Dalai Lama), the sacred Jokhang Temple, and essentially the most venerable of Tibet’s monasteries: Drepung, Sera and close by Ganden. and one of many nice cities of the world
Mount Everest – beautiful, snow-swept high of the world
Who hasn’t dreamed of laying eyes on the sensible white peaks of the best mountain on earth? The view is sort of actually breathtaking since even at Everest Base Camp you’re at extraordinarily excessive altitude: 5200 meters / 17,060 ft. It’s potential to sleep in easy lodging at Everest Base Camp so as to get up to the beautiful, shiny white north face of the holy mountain that Tibetans name Chomolangma, or Goddess Mom of the World. It’s possible you’ll not know that the summit of Mount Everest sits precisely on the border of Nepal and Tibet, and that although you may view the mountain from both facet, the Tibet facet has one of the best, most unobstructed view.
Yumbulakhang – first palace of the Tibetan kings and a lovely place to discover in Tibet
Perched dramatically on a hill above the Yarlung Valley, the Yumbulakhang is named the primary palace of the primary Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsenpo. In itself superbly elegant and easy, the small palace overlooks a beautiful fertile valley that’s thought of the cradle of Tibetan civilisation. Whereas the outside of the palace is actually one of the placing locations in Tibet, there’s not a lot to see contained in the restored constructing, which was closely broken within the Cultural Revolution. Don’t miss heading up the hill behind the palace for a superb view of the palace amongst traces of riotously coloured prayer flags.
Lake Namtso – a heavenly Lake and residential to hermits
Namtso Lake’s gloriously clear blue salt waters appeal to nomads, pilgrims and vacationers alike. Don’t let the truth that it is a day journey from Lhasa idiot you into considering you may simply pop over with out getting acclimated to Lhasa’s altitude first. Already at 3658 meters/11,975 ft if you arrive in Lhasa, the drive to Namtso takes you up over 1000 extra meters (3000 ft). It received’t be simply the views that take your breath away for those who don’t spend a couple of days in Lhasa first!
Mount Kailash – essentially the most sacred, least well-known peak on earth
Mount Kailash is enormously revered and vital in Asia, however is barely recognized within the West. Mom of 4 of the world’s nice rivers, and sacred to Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon faiths, Kailash is a vital pilgrimage web site. The journey to Kang Rinpoche — the Tibetan title for Kailash, or Valuable Jewel of Snow — will not be for the faint of coronary heart or the traveler low on time. One of many nice overland journeys of Asia, it takes at the very least 15 days and features a 52 km/ 32 mile trek that begins at 4600 m/ 15,000 ft and goes over the 5600 m/18,372 ft Dolma La Move.
Gyawu La Move – a lovely panorama of the Himalayas and mighty Mount Everest
Your first view of Everest and the peaks surrounding her as you come over the Gyawu La move is like nothing you’ll ever expertise once more in your life. The panorama unfold out earlier than you features a wonderful array of peaks over 8000 m / 26, 246 ft excessive: Lhostse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma. Here’s a useful tip for those who’re wanting up Gyawu La on a map. Like many Tibetan phrases, it’s spelled in many alternative methods within the roman alphabet — Geu La, Gawu La, and Gyawu La. For the reason that Tibetan phrase for move is “la,” it’s really repetitive to name it the “Gyawu La Pass.” In the identical approach, saying “Namtso Lake” is definitely saying “Nam Lake Lake,” since “tso” means lake, although it is extremely widespread to take action 🙂
Gyantse Kumbum – superior three-dimensional mandala and a Tibet magnificence spot
The placing Kumbum is likely one of the visible highlights of Gyantse’s Pelkor Chode Monastery. Kumbum in Tibetan means “one-hundred thousand holy images,” and you may see these in 108 little chapels as you ascend the 9 tales that symbolize a Tibetan Buddhist mandala. On the Kumbum, you’ve gotten the uncommon alternative to actually stroll via a illustration of the Buddhist Pure Land and the trail of enlightenment.
Karo la Glacier – a stunning view with out having to climb a mountain
The highway from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp is lined with some spectacular sights, and never least amongst them is the Karo la Glacier that flows down from Mount Nyenchen Khangsar. There are a number of viewpoints, and you may comply with a picket walkway that permits for fantastic, unobstructed views.
Tashilumpo Monastery – venerable residence of the second most vital lama in Tibet
Strolling the scenic pilgrimage path round and above the nice Tashilumpo Monastery is a quintessentially Tibetan expertise — with wonderful views of the previous city of Shigatse, and the nice hum of prayers out of your fellow pilgrims, Tibetans of all ages. The monastery itself is the seat of the Panchen Lama, second solely to the Dalai Lama in significance to Tibetan Buddhists, and holds a mess of treasures in beautiful historical chapels.
The “Sky” Practice – infinite stunning views of the huge Tibetan Plateau and a should see place in Tibet
Taking the Tibet “sky” prepare from Xining to Lhasa presents the first-time customer to Tibet an unbelievable visible introduction to the immense Tibetan Plateau. It’s the best prepare journey on the earth and crosses the 5072 m/ 16,640 ft Tangu La Move. (You’ll want to take actions to stop altitude illness, as you’ll must do in every single place in Tibet.)
Dzogchen Monastery — the “Great Perfection” in a beautiful hidden valley and among the finest locations to go to in Tibet
One of many nice facilities of Buddhist studying, Dzogchen Monastery within the Jap Tibetan area of Kham, will not be solely stunning, but in addition a unbelievable probability to get off the overwhelmed path. For a bit journey, you may hike as much as some vital, still-occupied hermitage caves dotting the hillside behind the monastery.
Ganden Monastery – distinctive views above the Kyichu River Valley
Perched like an eyrie excessive above the south financial institution of the Kyichu River, Ganden is likely one of the three most well-known monasteries in Tibet, and is arguably essentially the most picturesque, amongst some very stiff competitors. For one of the best views, stroll the pilgrimage circuit across the monastery and as much as the ridge of the prayer-flag coated Wangpo Ri Mountain.
Draksum Tso Lake – a placing highland lake in Kongpo
Peaks rise like partitions out of the inexperienced waters of Draksum Tso (additionally spelled as Basum Tso) Famous for the picturesque island in its heart which is residence to Tsodzong, a 14th-century monastery. Two main Tibetan historic and non secular leaders have connections to Draksum Tso — each King Gesar and Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava.
Larung Gar – an ocean of knowledge in Jap Tibet
Flowing like an ocean of hand-built cabins for monks and nuns over the hills of the Larung Valley in Serthar in Kham, Larung Gar has been a marvel of the Tibetan world. Till 2016, hLarung Gar was the most important Tibtan Buddhist Institute on the earth, with a inhabitants of Tibetan Buddhist nuns, monks and pilgrims of all types educating and studying in a unbelievable, vibrant ambiance. Sadly, since 2016, the realm has been restricted from guests on account of state-ordered demolitions for “overcrowding” however ought to it open once more, don’t miss the possibility to expertise this terribly stunning and spectacular instance of the Tibetan Buddhist religion and apply.
15 of essentially the most stunning locations to go to in Tibet is written by visitor blogger Yolanda O’Bannon. She is a long-time journey author and photographer with a particular ardour for Tibet and Asia. Together with her husband Lobsang, Yolanda makes Tibet journey easy and protected at YoWangdu Experience Tibet the place you may study all the things you want for an exquisite first-time go to to Tibet.
