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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. The mountains, canyons, rivers and white water in Tibet must be seen to be believed. Tibet 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. This increased difficulty and planning is perhaps why so few world travellers actually visit there.
What can be said about the himalayan landscape … except that it is the highest in the world and provides breathtaking views that will never be forgotten. The country’s altitude of 11,000 to 18, 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 nearly a week, with hundreds of switchback roads, and auxiliary oxygen bottles are required.
There is a new method of getting into or out of Tibet that is an alternative to flying into and out of Lhasa; it is the new 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. It provides some beautiful views from the large viewing windows in the rail cars, and it is recommended that you take this train when you leave Tibet, as that train leaves in the morning daylight. The train into Tibet arrives late at night, which prevents good views of the scenery.
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! You will be short of breath and living on Yak meat and Yak butter tea. If you are lucky to get a view of Mt. Everest from Base Camp on a clear day, it will take your breath away, at least what little breath you have available! This trip to Tibet and Mt. Everest was a life experience for my wife and I, and we often talk about it. It is safe to say that if you are ever able to visit Tibet, it will be a life travel experience for you that you will never forget. View the numerous slideshows on the Tibet destinations to get a feel of what such a trip is like.
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