Cold and dusty is the description many
people who have visited Tibet use. The
trip to Tibet is not easy but it is an
adventure! Tibet was opened to tourism
in 1985. Before this, it avoided
influence from the Western World,
allowing the country to develop its
unique culture and religion
independently. Governed by spiritual
leaders, spiritual institutions were the
backbone of power, with their importance
and prestige reflected in the scale and
magnificence of the architecture.
Tibetan Buddhism contains many elements
of the older religion 'Bon Po', which
worshipped the sky, moon, sun, fire,
soil and an evil spirit. The
monasteries, rich in unique statues,
paintings (Thankas), religious and
historical books, could take weeks to
explore. These monasteries, crowded with
pilgrims often travelling long distances
to fulfill their vows, are testament to
the importance religion still plays in
the daily life of the Tibetans. Tibet is
an extraordinary destination, where
adventure lurks around every corner.
Geography:
With an average altitude of 4,000m above
sea level, Tibet is located at the main
part of Qinghai Tibet Plateau, south
west of China. Tibet has an area of 1.2
million sq. km and borders with Sichuan,
Yunnan, Qinghai, Xingjiang to the south
and contiguous to India, Nepal, Bhutan,
Pakistan & Burma. Tibet has more than 50
peaks above 7,000 m out of which 11 are
more than 8,000m.
History:
For centuries, Tibet has fascinated
mankind. This land beyond the mighty
Himalaya on the highest plateau of the
world, was hardly accessible to the out
side world and has always been a
challenge to all mortal beings. This
"land of mysteries", a "forbidden land",
forbidden not only by man but also by
nature, appeals to so many explorers,
scholars, pilgrims and adventurers in
the past, hoping to find probably a real
"SHANGRILA" . In the past, Lhasa, the
capital and centre of Tibetan culture,
religion and Lama theology, was so far
from anywhere and the journey to it so
ardous, from any direction, that only
the hardiest souls, impelled by the
strongest motive or curiosity,
penetrated to the holy city. Now
fortunately there is an opportunity to
visit Tibet.
Religion:
Almost all practice, Mahayana Buddhism
and belief in present day religious
reincarnate teachers. There are few
followers of pre Buddhist Bon Po and
also Islam.
Climate:
Tibet has low humidity, moderate
rainfall and an average of 10 hr of
sunshine daily. With more than 3000 hrs.
of sunshine annually, Lhasa is famed as
"The city of Sunshine". Contrary to
popular belief, winter is the best time
to visit Tibet. Night temperatures
seldom drop below -5 degree centigrade
in Lhasa and it rarely snows in the
Lhasa valley.
Passport
& Visas of Tibet:
Only tour groups are officially allowed
to enter into Tibet. But another option
to enter Tibet you need a valid Chinese
visa and align travel permit. You won't
obtain the Chinese visa if you apply to
go to Tibet (state any place except
Tibet in the visa application form). You
want to go to China, and need a valid
visa to China. If you are willing to
obtain your visas in Kathmandu also
possible, you should arrive in Kathmandu
at least a week prior to departure to
Tibet. The visas can also be arranged
within a day paying emergency charge.
Please be sure that the Chinese Embassy
in Kathmandu will open for visa
application from 10 to 11 AM only 3 days
in a week (Monday, Wednesday and
Friday). |
