20

Things to Do in Tibet

1. Tour the famous monasteries: Tibet is home to a number of famous monasteries such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery and visiting these beautiful and spiritual structures is considered one of the best things to do in Tibet.

2. Explore Barkhor Street: If you’re wondering what to do in Tibet, then you must consider exploring Barkhor Street, which is a microcosm of Tibetan culture, art, food and architecture. The streets are lined with shops and houses that are going to keep you entertained during your holiday.

3. Visit the three sacred lakes in Tibet: If you want to know what to do in Tibet, then one of the essential experiences is visiting the Three Sacred Lakes which are Lake Namtso, Lake Manasarovar and Lake Yamdrok. These are known for their spiritual significance as well as their natural beauty.

4. Attend a traditional festival: Tibetan festivals are vibrant and colourful and give you incredible insight into the history, life and culture of the locals. Some of the festivals you can attend include Gyantse Damar and Losar.

1. Trekking: If you are an adventurer and you are wondering what to do in Tibet, there is no better activity than trekking. The mountains of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest and Mount Kailash, provide the perfect opportunity for trekking through the most stunning landscapes.

2. Camping: There are several wonderful campsites near Tibet where you can camp through the night and stare into the night sky strewn with millions of stars. One of the most popular campsites is in Kusum in Tingri County.

3. Hiking: There are innumerable shallow mountain ranges in Tibet such as the mountains that surround Lake Yamdrok, which are ideal for hiking for people with all levels of expertise.

4. Yak Ride: Yaks are some of the most commonly occurring animals in Tibet and can be seen grazing freely in the open plateau. A yak ride can be a thrilling experience for those visiting Tibet.

1. Losar: Losar, which is the Tibetan New Year, is celebrated lavishly in February or March, with dance performances, mock battles, plays, singing and lots of food.

2. Saga Dawa: The Saga Dawa festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Gautam Buddha in the month of June. It is a spiritual affair, with thousands of people visiting decorated monasteries, rallying around Barkhor Street and donating money and wares to the poor.

3. Shoton Festival: Shoton Festival is characterised by unveiling large murals and paintings of the Buddha, while yoghurt is served to the monks in the various monasteries in Tibet. It is celebrated in the month of August.

4. Butter Lamp Festival: The Butter Lamp Festival is celebrated immediately after Losar to celebrate the triumphs of the Buddha against heretics, thousands of years ago in India. Butter lamps are lit throughout the country, and images of the Buddha in butter are also unveiled and distributed.

The best time to visit Tibet is during summer, which occurs between the months of June and August. The temperature is cool and bearable during this time, with little chance of snowstorms, which is a common occurrence throughout the rest of the year.

Yes, Tibet being a Buddhist country is one of the safest in the world, with a population consisting of peace-loving individuals and monks. The crime rate in the country is very low and if you take the basic precautions with yourself and your belongings, your travels are likely to be seamless.

Tibet is famous for its spirituality and its natural beauty. There are several ancient monasteries in the country where you can see monks practising various sects of Buddhism. Of these, you must visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in the capital city of Lhasa.

It is also home to several important mountains from the Himalayan ranges like Mount Kailash and sacred places such as Lake Manasarovar and Lake Namtso.