The autonomous region of Tibet within China is an adventuresome place to visit. The people, culture, landscape, altitude and scenery will very likely be different from anything that you have experienced previously. It is perhaps a little more difficult to visit than most destinations, and requires a bit more advanced planning, particularly in recent times. Advanced permits are required, as are approved guides, so planning must be done well ahead of time. What can be said about the Himalayan landscape … except that it is provides breathtaking views that will never be forgotten. The altitude of 11,000 to 17, 000 feet will also take your breath away (literally), so make sure your health permits you to travel there before you arrange to go. A visit to Mt. Everest base camp will put you above 16,000 feet for a number of days, with hundreds of switchback roads, and auxiliary oxygen bottles are recommended. The canyons, rivers and white water must be seen to be believed. There is a new method of getting into or out of Tibet that is an alternative to flying into Lhasa; it is the Quinhai railway, which is the world’s highest rail line. It runs all the way from Beijing to Lhasa, and has oxygen pumped in to the rail cars for the ten hours that it is in Tibet. In addition to outstanding mountain scenery, Tibet offers a view into ancient Asian culture. It has outstanding religious and cultural sites such as Potala palace and Tashilhunpo Monastery that are world renowned. The rural life away from Lhasa and Shigatse appears to function as it did hundreds of years ago; basically unchanged. A trip to Tibet will not be a relaxing vacation, but will be an adventure. It is safe to say that your visit to Tibet will be a life travel experience that you will never forget.
LISTING OF ALL SLIDESHOW PHOTO GALLERIES FOR TIBET