Tibet Travel Information

Tibet Travel Information 

Tibet is sacred and pure land of Tibet builds visitors feel mysterious. Tourists to Tibet will experience baptism of the hearts when greeting shocks one after another. The Himalayas filled with mysterious colors, the Yarlungzangbo River that has kept running for millions of years, and the time – honored Potala Palace, Norbulingka, the Jokhang monastery and the Tashilumpu monastery make people pay homage to them in great sincerity. When people hear the Sutra-chanting sound from the monasteries in the mountains and by the rivers or stroll in front of the ruins of the ancient and unembellished Guge Kingdom, people will feel that the past time was elegantly back slowly. When people observe flying swans above the limpid alpine lakes, and hear the bold and unimpeded pastorals from the vast lowland, who can stop loving this holy land.

As Tibet is tough to reach, daring people from all over the world are looking forward to going; Tibet is a dream of tourists because of its fascinating scenery; and Tibet is the paradise of pilgrims because of it religious position. After the Qinghai- Tibet, railway was opened to traffic, more and more friends can approach it, feel it and fall into love with it through this wonderful ‘heavenly road’.

 Common knowledge for Tibet Travelers

• Remember not to Step on threshold when entering the tent or house. Calling somebody in name please add ‘La’behind the name to express respect. If you are asked to sit down, please cross your legs, don’t stretch your legs forward and face your sole to others. You should accept the gift with both hands. While presenting the gift you should bend your body forward and hold the gift higher than your head both hands. While offering Tea, wine or cigarette, you should offer them by both hands and any fingers don’t touch inside of the bowl.
• When the host presents you a cup of wine, you should dip your ring finger in the wine and flick the wine into the sky, in the air and to the ground respectively to express your respects to the heaven, the earth and the ancestors before sipping the wine. The host will feel the cup, and you take a sip of the wine again. After the host fills your cup again, you have to bottom it up.
• Tibetan people don’t take horse, dog and donkey meat and also don’t eat fish in some areas, so please respect their diet habits.
• It is not polite to clam your palms and spit behind the Tibetan people.
• Tibetan people stretch out their tongue to say hello to you. Also it is a courtesy to put their hands palm to palm in front of breast.
• No smoke in monasteries. Also it is banned to touch the statue of Buddha and religious articles and take pictures of them. In addition, all should walk clock-wise (Not in the bon Temples).
• Seeing any dagobas, monasteries or moni piles, please go around the clock-wise (not of the Bon), don’t cross them.
• Eagles are the sacred birds in the eyes of the Tibetan people. You should not drive them away or injure them. On the outskirts, you could not drive or disturb the ship or cows with red, green or yellow clothe strips on.
• Entertainment
  There are bars, cafes, tea houses, net bars, sweet tea houses, and minority Langmar and karaoke rooms of different grades as well as Tibet-style bars to meet needs of tourists from different places. Also the travel services can arrange folk singing and dancing performances for tourists.

Best Season touring in Tibet

From May to October is the best season for touring Tibet. From June to September, there are more rainfalls and the scenery is beautiful. But, the heavy rain may topple down mud and as a result the traffic will be affected.

Mountain Sickness in Tibet

What the visitors to Tibet are concerned about is the mountain sickness. On highland the air is thin and the air contains less oxygen. If the elevation in increases quickly, you will find uncomfortable, such as taking airplanes or buses to Tibet. With mountain sickness, you will feel headache, dizzy, heavy breathing, tired and insomnia. Those with heart diseases or high blood pressure should be more careful.

Method of Guarding against Mountain Sickness

• Buying bottle of Oxygen in Case:
  Lake of oxygen is the main reason for mountain sickness. In many places in Tibet you buy oxygen in bottles. You can buy one or two tiny bottles in case. With an Oxygen take mask, they costs  approx 20 Yuan.
• Taking some medicines
  Drug stores in Lhasa sell medicines for preventing mountain sickness. The best way is to go to the doctor and take medicine recommended by the doctor according to your condition. It depends on your travel route as these medicines are also available in Kathmandu. We advise you to buy some DIMOX to prevent from high altitude sickness. It is advised to take 4 litres of water every day and pills of multi vitamins for three days in succession. It is helpful for decreasing the chance of having mountain sickness.

The Must for Adapting to Highland Climate

• Doing everything slowly and not to exhaust yourself and taking a good rest.
• Drinking more water
• Stabilizing the temperature of your body and not to catch cold.
• Bringing some pain killers which don’t cause a heavy sleep.
• Keep away from any smoke or wine.

Things to bring while touring in Tibet

• Heavy clothes – The weather temperature varies violently in the morning and evening. Even in June or July it is best to bring with you enough heavy clothes, such a down coat and woollen sweater.
• Sleeping bag – it is necessary for those who enter Tibet through land or tour other places than Lhasa, however, other towns such as Gyantse, Shigatse have decent hotels and warm blankets are provided during your stay there.
• Louse Killing Powder – Except Lhasa, most places in Tibet have simple hotels. May be there are lice around. It is best to spread such powder.
• Tibet has strong ultraviolet ray. In addition to sun Glasses, it is useful to bring some sun block to prevent sun burn.
• Solid food and drinks – You should bring enough high-calorie solid food with you such a cookie, chocolate and candy. Also you should bring enough drinking water. In addition, you should be ready to meet landslide and car broken in your tours in Tibet.

Other Tibet Travel Information

• Telecommunications
• Shigatse Telecommunications Bureau and a few hotels provide IDD and DDD. Mobile phones can be used here too.
• Useful Telephone Numbers
• Phone number inquiry          114
  Weather forecast                  12121
  Area code of Xigaze              892
• Net Bars
• All hotels provide network services and tourists can have the services.
• Foreign Exchange
• The Bank of China on Jiefang M. Road provides foreign exchange services and accepts traveller’s cheques. Before going to Ngari, here is the last place to cash your traveler’s cheque.
  Bank of china, Xigaze branch
  Add: Shanghai M. Road, Xigaze
  Tel:892-8822931

Tourist Institutes

Elevation and Content of Oxygen in the Air

• The average elevation is 3,836 meters and the content of oxygen in the air is 67 percent.

Remarks

• Those suffered from high blood pressure, respiratory infection and intestinal disorders should follow the doctor’s suggestion. It is better to bring warmer and loose clothes, sunglasses and skin lotion. In addition, you should respect the religious belief and living habits of the local people

 Lhoka-A Birthplace of Tibetan Culture

• Lhoka, a Birthplace of Tibetan nationality. Located at the southern bank of the middle reaches of the Yarlung zangbo River, has a temperate climate and an elevation of 3,600 meters. Yalong Scenic Area is a national key scenic area. Besides, Lhoka prefecture boasts Samyae Monastery, Yombulagang palace, tombs of the Tibetan kings, changzhug Monastery and other famous cultural sites.

Yalong Scenic Area

• In Lhoka prefecture, it is a picturesque gallery composed of pastureland, river valleys, the snow-capped mountains and glaciers and ancient religious sites. The customs are unique here. Also it has rich varieties of plantations, distributed vertically according to the changes of elevation. The historical and cultural sites include the earliest palace Yombulagang in Tibet, the first temple samyae Monastery in Tibet, the earliest Buddhist hall Changzhug Monastery and the tombs of the Tibetan kings. In total there are some 40 scenic spots in the area