Tibet

This is the Eastern Tibet chapter from Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook.

Overlapping much of the historic Tibetan region of Kham, eastern Tibet is the face you never knew Tibet had: a land of raging rivers and deep gorges, immense pine forests and azalea-filled meadows, outspoken monks and rebel nomads.

• marvel at the massive Mikdo Glacier in the shadow of a 6385m peak
• maps
• explore the shores of a holy lake, Draksum-tso, and the island monastery therein
• transport
• learn why Bakha Gompa was built on the grave of Princess Wenchang’s child and enjoy sunset views from the porch of a guesthouse
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Nyingtri Prefecture, Draksum-tso, Bayi, Bakha Island, Pomi, Chamdo Prefecture, Rawok, Pasho, Pomda.

Given the complicated logistics of getting into Tibet, it’s advisable to at least stay overnight in a gateway city en route to Lhasa, either to pick up your permit, meet up with your fellow travellers or to buffer potential delays in your international flights.

• follow the 60s Hippy Trail from colourful and chaotic Kathmandu
• maps
• explore western Sìchuan from Chéngdu before heading to Tibet
• transport
• take the Qinghai–Tibet Railway from Xiníng
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Kathmandu, Chéngd?, Xiníng.

This is the Lhasa chapter from Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook.

Lhasa – ‘Place of the Gods’ – remains largely a city of wonders. Your first view of the red-and-white Potala Palace soaring above the Holy City raises goosebumps and the charming whitewashed old Tibetan quarter continues to preserve the essence of traditional Tibetan life.

• follow monks, mendicants and pilgrims around the medieval Barkhor Circuit
• maps
• join the lines of awed pilgrims at the glowing shrines of Tibet’s holiest sanctum, Jokhang Temple
• transport
• shuffle past murals and stupas in the impressive citadel of the Dalai Lamas, Potala Pal-ace
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: History, Sights, Activities, Festivals & Events, Sleep-ing, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, Around Lhasa.

This is the Ngari chapter from Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook.

For most travellers the main attractions of this remote region are the almost legendary destina-tions of Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Indeed, many of the Tibetan and Indian pilgrims you meet on this road have been planning a visit all their lives.

• join fellow pilgrims to erase the sins of a lifetime on a three-day trek around sacred Mt Kailash
• maps
• hike the sandy shores of Lake Manasarovar or just marvelling at the turquoise waters and snow-capped-mountain backdrop
• transport
• camp on the shore of spectacular, otherworldly Tsari Nam-tso on the northern Changtang; alternatively, try nearby Dawa-tso or Tagyel-tso
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Southern Ngari, Lhatse & Around, Nepal Border, Saga & Around, Drongba & Around, Paryang & Around, Hor Qu, Northern Ngari, Raka to Tsochen, Tsochen & Around, Gertse & Around, Gegye & Around, Far West Ngari, Ali, Rutok, Guge King-dom, Tirthapuri, Darchen & Mt Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Purang.

This chapter contains the Title, Welcome to Tibet, Tibet’s Top 20, Need to Know, If You Like..., Month by Month, Itineraries, Qīnghai–Tibet Railway, Tours & Permits, and Regions at a Glance chapters from Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook.

Your journey to Tibet starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on tours and permits.

• tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events
• list of highlights and best experiences
• everything you need to know about the Qinghai–Tibet Railway
• user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Title, Welcome to Tibet, Tibet’s Top 20, Need to Know, If You Like: Off-the-Beaten-Track Monasteries, Trekking & Hiking, Palaces, Forts & Temples, In-credible Scenery, Cultural Encounters, Pilgrim Paths, Overland Trips, Lakes, Outdoor Activities, Month by Month, Itineraries, Qunghai–Tibet Railway, Tours & Permits, and Regions at a Glance.

This is the Tibetan Treks chapter from Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook.

Tibet, the highest land on earth, is a trekker’s dream. Its towering mountains, high valleys and sacred landscapes offer unbounded opportunities for walking. On foot the joys of the Tibetan landscape are heightened and immediate, and all other modes of transport pale in compari-son.

• best treks for different interests
• maps
• advice on when to trek
• transport
• extensive advice on equipment essentials
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Planning Your Trek, What to Bring, Maps, Trekking Agencies, Permits, On The Trek, Guides & Pack Animals, Food, Drink, Trekking Routes, Ganden to Samye, Tsurphu to Dorje Ling, Shalu to Ngor, Mt Kailash Kora, Lake Manasarovar Kora, Ever-est Advance Base Camps, Everest East Face.

This is the Tsang chapter from Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook.

The historical province of Tsang is either the first or last place that most travellers experience in Tibet, and the setting for two of Asia’s great mountain drives: out to far western Tibet and across the Himalaya to Nepal.

• try to catch your breath under the unparalleled north face of Mt Everest
• maps
• explore the cobbled laneways and glowering chapels of Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of Tibet’s most important monastic institutions
• transport
• soak up the sacred atmosphere and reams of ancient scriptures inside impressive Sakya Monastery
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Lhasa to Nangartse, Nangartse, Gyantse, Nyang-chu Valley, Shigatse & Around, Sakya, Shegar, Everest Region, Tingri, Lhatse, Kyirong Valley.

This is the Ü chapter from Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook.

Ü is Tibet’s heartland and contains almost all the landscapes you’ll find across the plateau, from sand dunes and meandering rivers to soaring peaks and juniper forests. Fine walking op-portunities abound, from day hikes and monastery koras (pilgrim circuits) to overnight treks.

• explore the mandala-shaped complex of Tibet’s first monastery, Samye Monastery
• maps
• stop at atmospheric Tradruk Monastery and pass by the ruins of cliffside Rechung-puk
• transport
• explore the juniper-scented kora (pilgrim circuit) at Reting Monastery and the meditation re-treat of Tsongkhapa before making the lovely walk to Samtenling Nunnery
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Northern Ü, Tsurphu Valley, Nam-tso, Reting Valley, Lhundrub County, Medro Gongkar County, Lhoka Prefecture, Samye, Tsetang, Yarlung Valley, Chongye Valley, Mindroling, Dratang, Gongkar.

This chapter contains the Tibet Today, History, Tibetan Landscapes, The People of Tibet, Ti-betan Buddhism, Tibetan Art, Food & Drink, The Future of Tibet, Directory A-Z, Transport, and Health chapters from Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook.

All the info you need on everything from history, landscapes and people to flights, public transport, climate, money, the internet... you name it. Get tips for women travellers, gay and les-bian travellers, travellers with disabilities, and travellers with kids. And get the most out of your conversations with a handy language guide and glossary.

• a rundown on the history of Tibet, from warring empire to Buddhist nation and beyond
• info on the people of Tibet, from nomads to exiles and pilgrims
• full coverage of Buddhism and Tibetan art
• details on the landscapes of the roof of the world

Coverage includes: Tibet Today, History, Tibetan Landscapes, The Peo-ple of Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan Art, Food & Drink, The Future of Tibet, Directory A-Z, Transport, and Health.