Top 10 places to travel in Tibet
Tibet is a beautiful
place where you can get a real taste of nature and culture. Also, considered as
the roof of the world, travelling to Tibet can be a dream of any travel lover
as it showers with all the natural and cultural ecstasy that an enthusiastic traveler
seeks for. Tibet is an antique city that treasures all the art, architecture,
culture and custom of ancient times. The old traditions, ancient architecture and
art crafts, paintings and untouched form of nature gives you a positive vibe
and you will feel as if you have travelled back to time to endure all the
religious, cultural and natural ecstasies at once. The history of Tibet can be
traced around 4000 years ago since when the Buddhism religion flourished in
Tibet. The artistic monasteries, temples and palaces are the surreal form of
the religion that reflects its resemblance.
If you are planning to
visit Tibet then there are few places that you must visit. Some of the places
to visit in Tibet are as follows:
1.
The Potala Palace
Potala palace is a
majestic palace built on a top of a hill that dominates entire Lhasa city, the
capital city of Tibet. When anyone enters into the city, the first thing that
comes to sight is the red and white painted buildings of Potala palace. The
palace dominates the entire skyline of Lhasa city. Potala palace used to be the
winter residence of Dalai Lama. However, after the Tibetan uprising when Dalai
Lama fled away from Lhasa, the palace turned into a museum and is amongst one
of the UNESCO listed world heritage sites. The palace is beautifully built with
art and craft manifested in abundance. The architecture in the palace justifies
the unique culture and art of Tibetan people.
2.
Jokhang temple
Jokhang temple is
considered as the spiritual center of Tibet. It is an ancient temple that was
built in 7th century and is located in the centre of the Bakor
square, Lhasa. The temple holds high value amongst the Tibetans. Tibetans
consider this temple to be the most sacred temple in Tibet. The pilgrims around
Tibet visit this temple and circle around the temple in clockwise direction. As
per mythology, the temple was built by King Songtsen Gampo for his two brides –
Princess Wencheng and Princess Bhrikuti. The princesses brought statues from
their hometown respectively which were housed in the Jokhang temple.
3.
Namtso
Namtso is a heavenly
lake and is considered to be one of the must visit places in Tibet. Namtso is
the second largest salt water lake in Tibet. The word Namtso is a Tibetan word
for heavenly therefore as its name depicts, the lake is truly a heavenly place
to be at. Besides, its natural allure, the lake is popular from its religious
aspect too. The Tibetan people consider this lake to be a holy lake. As per the
Tibetan calendar, in the sheep year, pilgrimages pay their visit to this place.
There are four temple built around the lake. The azure lake with open blue sky
is a wonderful combination to melt your heart at peace.
4.
Yamdrok lake
Considered as one of
the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet, Yamdrok lake is a heavenly place to be
at. The lake is placed in a fantastic location surrounded by snow capped mountains
on its all sides. There are numerous small streams that join this lake. The lake
is over 45 miles long and unlike Namtso lake, Yamdrok is a freshwater lake and
is turquoise colored. As per the mythology, Yamdrok lake is referred to as the
transformation of a goddess. A fairy maiden left heaven and came to earth and
transformed herself in to this lake. The purity, serenity and gorgeousness of
the lake are compared to the traits of the fairy maiden. There are various
large fishes in this lake however people don’t hunt and eat the fishes in this
lake as they believe the fishes and embodied with their ancestors soul. At
Yamdrok lake, you can relish the angelic beauty of nature. The snow clad
mountains all around and a clear and azure turquoise colored lake in a pristine
environment, one could have asked for nothing more.
5.
Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon
Yarlung Tsangpo Grand
Canyon is the longest, largest and deepest canyon in the world and one of the
fantastic places in the earth to be at. Located in the northern Himalayas of
Tibet, the canyon originates from the holy Mt. Kailash and flows to the
northern section of Himalayas in Tibet. The word – Yarlung Tsangpo in itself translates
as the water flowing from the highest peak. The canyon is considered as the
most important moisture channel of Qinghai Tibet Plateau. The canyon stretches
about 505 km from Dakula village at an elevation of 2880 meters to Pasighat
village at an elevation of 115 meters. The deepest point of the canyon is 6009 meters
however in average the canyon is 2258 meters deep. The canyon is a home to
various species of plants and wildlife. Owing to its subtropical climate, the
sea level is best for tropical forests. The place receives rainfall in
abundance and treasures some rare species of plants and trees that are very
important for mankind.
6.
Mt. Everest Base Camp
One can get there to
the roof of the world – Mt. Everest Base Camp from Tibet as well. An overland
drive can easily take you to the base camp of Everest Base Camp. If you can
fight with the rising elevation then Everest Base Camp is not a big deal from
Tibetan side. Mt. Everest Base Camp is the dream of many enthusiastic travel
lovers. Who wouldn’t want to get there in this heavenly place where one can
relish the appealing views of mighty Mt. Everest rising tall? The Tibetan plateaus, pristine environment
and wild mountains all together makes Mt Everest Base Camp one of the must
visit places in Tibet.
7.
Mt Kailash
Mt. Kailash is a holy
pilgrimage site situated in the most stunning location of the world. Lying in
the remote plateaus Himalayan valley of Tibet, Mt. Kailash is a spiritual site
for Hindu, Buddhist and Jain followers around the world. The mountain is very
appealing as it is covered with snow all year round. Every year many Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain people around the world visit this place to perform Kora. In
Hindu mythology this mountain is considered to be the abode place of Lord
Shiva. Similarly, in Buddhist mythology, it is considered to be the place where
Guru Rinpoche had meditated and as per Jain mythology, it is the place where
their founder Rishabhdev attained nirvana. The high altitude lakes near Mt.
Kailash – Mansarovar lake and Raksheesa lake add to the beauty of this place. The
mightiness of Mt. Kailash and the shimmering azure beauty of the mountain lakes
is an awesome combination that makes Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar lake a must
visit place in Tibet.
8.
Norbulingka palace
Lying in the west of
Lhasa city, Norbulingka is a treasure park as it name depicts. It is built
beautifully at the bank of Kyinchu river and used to be the summer palace of
Dalai Lama. Just one kilometer southwest of Potala palace, Norbulingka is a
grand palace that is magnificently built with 374 rooms inside the palace. It
is surrounded by a spectacular garden that covers an area of 360,000 sq.
meters. The palace was constructed in 1740s. Before this, the placewas nothing
but a wasteland that was full of wild weeds and scrubs. But Dalai Lama often
visited this place and spent his time there. Therefore, Qing magistrate built a
palace in this place. Later, the palace was reconstructed and many complexes
were added which made the palace one of the grand palaces and attraction of
anyone who visited this place. Norbulingka palace consists of multiple
complexes which includes Kelsang Potrang, Golden linka, Tsokyil Potrang and
Takten Migyur Potrang. When Dalai Lama had to flee away from Tibet, the palace
was opened to public as a public park. So, this premier park with artistic
palace is also one of the attractions in Tibet.
9.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Located in the west of
Shigatse city, on the Nyima mountain, Tashilhunpo monastery is one of the four
Gelugpa monasteries in Tibet that was built in 1447 by Gendun Drup. Followed by
its construction, the major expansions were made to the monastery by the 4th
Panchen Lama. The monastery covers an area of 150,000 sq. meters and can accommodate
around 2000 monks. The white tall walls of the monasteries are very appealing
and the Maitreya temple of Tashilhunpo monastery is the highest statue of
Maitreya Buddha around the globe. The monastery is the biggest monastery in
Shigatse and is as popular as other three Gelugpa monasteries – Drepung
monastery, Sera monastery and Gandan monastery.
10.
Lulang Forest
As you move to the east
of Bayi town and pass the mountain pass - Serji La, you open up right before
the beautiful Lulang forest. The place is a spectacular with the views of
mountains, rivers and villages around. Located in the astounding
location, the forest is one of the most visited touristic place is a home to many
species of birds, animals and plants. Nestled in between the mountains and
glaciers, Lulang forest is a plateau at an elevation of 3700 meters. The place
features some fantastic alpine scenery with endless pine trees, clear blue sky
and snow capped mountains on sight. As you walk into the forest, you will be blessed
with the relishing views of flower blossom, marshy grassland and shimmering
rivers. As you walk through the villages, you will be able to get some insights
on people, their rural lifestyle and culture.
The above mentioned are
some of the places to visit in Tibet. However, the spectacle of Tibet doesn’t
end here. There are many other places one can visit in Tibet and one can never
get enough. Drepung Monastery, Samye Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Basum Lake, Mansarovar Lake, Tibet Museum and Segrila Mountain are some other places to
visit in Tibet. If you are interested in travelling to Tibet, then do not
forget to contact your reliable and experienced travel operator – Himal Eco
Treks. Himal Eco Treks is one of the most approached tour operator in Nepal for
Tibet travel, tours and treks.
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