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Experience the World’s Highest Railway

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The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the world’s highest railway, connecting Xining, the capital of China’s Qinghai Province, and Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Known as “The Sky Road”, the magnificent Qinghai-Tibet Railway extends 1,956 kilometers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and reaches 5,072 meters above sea level at its highest point of Tanggula Pass.  The world’s highest train takes 23 hours and 30 minutes to arrive at the final destination of Lhasa.

The railway is a wonder in of itself and passes through some of the region’s most breathtaking scenery. The train ride provides a once in a lifetime experience, which is why so many tourists choose this route to Lhasa. During the ride, you can peer out the window to witness the beauty of the distant snow-capped mountains, blue lakes, enormous grassland, nomad camps, and bountiful wildlife. The railway passes through Qinghai Lake, the Ngonpo Kunlun and Nyechen Thangla Mountain Ranges, and Potala Palace, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Heritage.

What also makes the railway so spectacular are the challenges that were overcome to build it. The harsh geographic conditions of the high plateau, including the lack of oxygen, delicate ecosystem, and permafrost, presented the biggest challenge. The construction of the railway despite the geographic and economic obstacles is part of what makes it so momentous.

When tourists plan their trips to Tibet with us, we encourage them to explore this one-of-a-kind experience. When you choose our tour, you’ll be able to experience the best stops along the way and enjoy a magical journey. This exciting tour allows you to discover Tibet’s unbeatable beauty, while also becoming more acclimated to the high altitude. Learn more about this tour here or contact us at +86-13908907271.

 

Seasonal Guide to Tibetan Trekking

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As thrill seeking adventures become more popular, people are turning more towards activities that are both physical and rewarding. There is something especially beautiful about traversing through lands and trails that pioneers and explorers once used. Carrying nothing but the pack on your back and your sense of adventure, trekking through Tibet allows you the opportunity to physically become one with nature.  Tibet travel is best in late autumn (from late September to late November) but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy one of Tibet’s trekking trails all year long depending on your route.

Fall/Spring

August-October/April-May: As Tibetan tourism is opening back up during this time of year; fall and spring are two of the busier seasons for Tibet traveling. Ideally, these two seasons work best for trekking through the Tibetan mountainside. The weather is warm and the skies are considerably clear. You can expect some wind and little amounts of rain as the ice from the winter has melted, therefore unblocking routes that were once impassible weeks before during the winter months.

Winter

December-March: During these months, you can expect cooler temperatures, cool winds, and definitely snow. Even though the sun is still shining, it is still considerably cold during these months. During the winter, Tibet experiences 5-6 months of frost, creating less than ideal conditions for trekking. Visiting lower elevations like Lhasa may be your best bet during these months as fewer tourists will be around and the temperature is more moderate there during this time.

Summer

June-July: Due to the fact that Tibet is a high altitude plateau, you can still expect some snow to fall in the mountains. Some of your higher altitude treks may still see snow during the summer, as well. However, summer is still a good time for trekking as the weather is generally warm to cool and the oxygen content in the air is higher during the summer than most other seasons.

Since trekking involves climbing, going off roads, and venturing down various paths not often traveled, weather plays a vital role in the route you choose to take. For more information and to plan your trekking adventure contact .

Travel to Tibet with Tibet Shambhala Adventure

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Are you planning a trip to Tibet? Tibet is a fascinating place that attracts tons of visitors each year. In order to visit this tremendous region, travelers must work with a travel company from their home country, China or Tibet. Travelers also require a passport and Tibet Entry Permit, which your travel agency should help arrange for you.

To get the most of your trip to Tibet, you should choose Tibet Shambhala Adventure as your travel agency. As a Tibetan-owned and operated company, we provide travelers with the most authentic Tibet experience and offer a variety of great tours that can be customized to suit your unique needs and preferences. Read on to learn the perks of planning your trip to Tibet with Tibet Shambhala Adventure.

See Tibet from a Local’s Perspective

One of the best parts of traveling to a new place is immersing yourself in the local culture. As a Tibetan-owned and operated travel company, we know everything there is to know about Tibet and can provide you with the most authentic experience. The entire Tibet Shambhala Adventure team, including the guides, drivers, cooks, and office workers are Tibetan. When you travel with us, you can learn and see things that you wouldn’t be able to experience if you worked with a non-Tibetan company. With us, you can enjoy all those must-see tourist attractions, as well as those places that are equally as amazing but less popular.

Plan the Ultimate Trip to Tibet

At Tibet Shambhala Adventure, we offer a wide selection of ready-made tours to help you experience all that Tibet has to offer. While you can choose one of these tours, we are very flexible and can cater the tour to suit your specific requests. Whether you’re interested in touring the famous Tibetan monasteries or trekking to Mount Everest, we’ve got you covered! View our Tibet tours here.

Arranging Your Trip to Tibet

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Tibet is a truly amazing place that should be high on your bucket list. The region’s dreamy landscape and unique culture and traditions make it a destination that’s like no other. If you’re planning a trip to Tibet, consider the following tips to make the most out of your journey.

Work with a Tibetan Travel Agency

If you want to travel to Tibet, you’ll need to go through a travel agency. It’s important to choose an experienced and reputable Tibetan travel company to ensure your trip goes smoothly. Your agent will ensure you get the necessary travel permits (see next) and arrange your excursions and activities. It’s best to use a travel company that’s Tibetan owned and operated. At Tibet Shambhala Adventure, our entire staff— from the office workers and guides, to the drivers and cooks— is Tibetan to ensure an authentic and amazing trip to Tibet.

Apply for a Tibet Entry Permit

Unless you have a Chinese passport, you are required to obtain a Tibet Entry Permit. You need to apply for your permit at least 20 days prior to your trip. You will need a permit before your travel agency can book your flight or train into Tibet. If you plan on traveling around Tibet outside of Lhasa, you will also need an Alien’s Travel Permit. Diplomats, journalists, professional media photographers, and government officials cannot get Tibet travel permits and must instead go through the Tibet Foreign Affairs Office. If you are a foreigner traveling to Tibet from China, you will also need a Chinese tourist visa. Find out more about travel permits and visas here.

Avoid Altitude Sickness

Tibet’s elevation can reach 3,000 meters, or 2 miles, above sea level. There is lower oxygen pressure at higher altitudes, which can cause altitude sickness for travelers who are not used to the thinner air. Altitude sickness can cause headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Take it easy and go up slowing to help your body adjust to the higher altitude. You may also want to talk to your doctor about medication or natural remedies for altitude sickness before embarking on your trip to Tibet.

 

The must not miss Tibetan festivals when traveling to Tibet.

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The Shoton festival is heled in the middle of the summer in Lhasa and a lot of people from around Tibet gather in Lhasa. Even the government offices in Lhasa have holiday for a week. It is one of the best chances to see more local festivals, Tibetan opera, local traditional dances, locals are having picnic so you will have an authentic Tibetan experience if your Tibet travel is during the Tibetan Shoton Festival.
Shoton Festival is one of the grandest transitional festivals in Tibet. In local language, Sho refers to yogurt and Ton means banquet and eating. Therefore, Shoton Festival is namely a feast day to have yogurt.

In truth, this ‘yogurt festival’ was originally an utterly religious event, starting in mid-11th century. At that time, people sacrifice yogurt to monasteries. Since late 17th century, it had become an important festival with Tibetan opera and thangka unfolding ceremony, backed up by entertainment and religion activities. Since it was hosted by Lhasa government, it has changed into a famous celebration combining tradition and modernization.

The Shoton festival for 2016 was begun from 1st Sep and it will last long until 7th Sep 2016. During the great Shoton festival, a giant Buddha painting (thangka) unveiling ceremony in Drepung Monastery is the most remarkable. The 500-square-meter (598-square-yard) painting of Shakyamuni Buddha is gradually open on the hillside back of the monastery as the light in the very first morning strike on the large thangka at eight o’clock. The ceremony is called ‘Buddha basking in the sun’.
Tibetan Opera is another big draw which is to be carried on since the second day of the festival from eleven o’clock in the morning until dark. Shows can be admired in Norbulingka and Lukhang (Dragon King Pond) Park behind the Potala Palace. The locals sit on mat with families and friends, drink butter tea and chang ( the local Tibetan barley beer ) taste dessert and watch the opera while waving the prayer wheel or finger the rosary in hand. During the period, different schools of Tibetan opera will compete with each other, and teams from Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan will come to the holy Lhasa to improve their skills by exchanges.

The Top Reasons to Travel to Tibet

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If you’re looking for a travel destination that offers unsurpassed beauty, rich culture, and a combination of thrill and relaxation, then Tibet is your go-to vacation spot.  One of the most mysterious and exciting places on Earth, Tibet enthralls tourists from China and all over the world. While there are countless reasons to journey to Tibet, we’re rounded up our favorites.

Scenic Beauty

While most popular travel destinations boast beautiful scenery, there’s nothing quite like the landscape of Tibet. From the snow-capped mountains and glaciers, to the mirror-like lakes and lush greenery, there’s beauty and mystery everywhere you turn. Experience Tibet’s unparalleled beauty on one of our train tours, where you’ll journey on the world’s highest train and witness the spectacular Qinghai Lake, Kunlun and Nyenchen Thangla mountain ranges, and Potala Palace, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Heritage sites.

Ancient Culture

Tibet’s culture is very unique and different from China’s. The Tibetan people are very religious and still follow ancient traditions. You can visit a variety of monasteries and other religious sites to witness these traditions and rituals firsthand. During your trip to Tibet, you have to visit the world-famous Potala Palace, as well as Sera Monastery, Palkor Monastery, and Rongbuk Monastery, which is located on the peak of Mount Everest.

Mental & Spiritual Rejuvenation

With its serene and pure environment, Tibet is an ideal place for mental and spiritual rejuvenation. Your trip to Tibet can provide an escape from modern life and allow you to contemplate your spirituality. You can stay at a monastery and engage in Tibetan religious rituals. Even just being around the peaceful landscape can be enough to feel rejuvenated.

Adrenaline Rush

Tibet offers a ton of opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping, including trekking, hiking, biking, and much more. By taking part in these recreational activities you can get off the beaten path and better explore Tibet.

To plan the ultimate trip to Tibet, call on Tibet Shambhala Adventure. We offer a wide range of Tibet tours catered to your unique needs and preferences, so that you can have the adventure of a lifetime.

 

 

Three Must-See Sites When Traveling to Tibet

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With its magnificent landscape and unique culture and religious traditions, Tibet attracts and enchants tourists from all over the globe. While the region has so much to see and offer, here are three amazing sites you don’t want to miss when traveling to Tibet.

Potala Palace

Situated atop the Red Hill in central Lhasa, the world famous Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace on earth. The grand palace is 13 stories high, reaches over 3,700m at its highest point, and houses over a thousand rooms.  Tibet’s chief landmark and pilgrimage site, the Potala Palace has been the winter residence of the Dalia Lamas since the 17th century and was once the seat of the Tibetan government. Due to its magnificence and major role in Tibetan Buddhism and history, the Potala Palace is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Sera Monastery

Also located in Lhasa is the Sera Monastery, one of the three famous monasteries in the city. Built in 1419, the Sera Monastery is dedicated to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monks gather at the monastery’s Debate Courtyard for a debating session on Buddhist doctrines. The debates are open to tourists and held every day at 3 p.m., except Sunday.

Mount Everest

Often called the “Roof of the World”, Tibet is one of the highest regions in the world and surrounded my spectacular mountain ranges, including Mount Everest— the tallest mountain on Earth. Mt. Everest is located in the Mahalangur Mountain Range in Tibet and Nepal, and its peak is over 8,800 meters above sea level. The mountain is a sacred place for the Tibetans and Nepalese, as well as a sought-after destination for mountaineering, hiking, sightseeing, and photography.

Plan the ultimate trip to Tibet with the help of Tibet Shambhala Adventure. We are a Tibet-owned travel company based in Lhasa that will introduce you to all of the wonders of the region. Visit us online at www.shambhala-adventure.com or call +86-13908907271 to plan the perfect adventure.

 

Things To Know When Traveling To Tibet

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Things To Know When Traveling To Tibet

If you will be traveling to Tibet, be prepared to immerse yourself in a place that’s rich in culture and full of wonder and awe. Tibet is considered a part of East Asia and borders India, Nepal, Burma and Bhutan. The region is located in the southwest portion of modern China and, given its historical territory, is considered the 10th largest nation in the world. With that said, Tibet is extremely large and has so much to offer as it encompasses approximately 463,000 square miles! Let’s take a look at some fun facts to know before travelling to Tibet!

Towns & Villages

Tibet’s traditional capital is Lhasa, which is also the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Lhasa contains three world heritage sites: The Potala Palace and Norbulingka, which were the residences of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokang Temple, which is the home to the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. Lhasa is also home to significant religious temples and monasteries that include Jokhang and Ramoche Temple. Overall, Tibet has more than800 cities, towns and villages within its geographic region, so there is plenty to explore while traveling to Tibet.

Home To Mount Everest

Tibet is also home to the world’s largest mountain, Mount Everest, which is shared in the mountain range between Tibet and Nepal. Seeing Mount Everest is almost essential for anyone considering traveling to Tibet. It has a peak of 29,029 feet above sea level and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Nearly 4,000 people have scaled the mountain since it was first conquered by Edmund Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.Roughly 800 people attempt to climb it each year. The trek is exhausting and dangerous but the success rates for climbers has risen from 18 percent in 1990 to 56 percent in 2012. Even if you don’t get a chance to take the climb, it’s magnificent to see in person!

Obtain Permits Before Traveling To Tibet

Before traveling to Tibet, you’ll need to obtain a Tibet entry and road permits from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Normal tours to attractions like the Everest base camp, Lhasa City tour and others will be required before you start the trip. There are some different permits you may need if you want to access restricted traveling areas, but it depends on which kind of permit you will need for that specific tour. It will generally take roughly one week to complete the permit for a normal tour and about two weeks for the restricted travel permits. However, the process is easier when you book your trip through a local Tibet travel agent!

Best Times To Visit

Generally speaking, the best times for traveling to Tibet are from May to October. This is because this window provides you with the opportunity to see all the sights. However, some of the best times to visit the Everest base camp and snow peak mountains are in April, May, September and October. Unless the weather is quite cold, November through February is highly recommend for the Tibet cultural and Everest base camp tours because there are few tourists and more local pilgrims. You will also appreciate the far less expensive price of a Tibet winter tour.

Currency

While you are traveling in Tibet, it’s important to understand what type of currency is accepted throughout the area. With that in mind, the Chinese yuan is used throughout Tibet and you may want to exchange some of your money to the Chinese yuan before traveling to Tibet. Or, you can easily convert it in the bigger cities like Lhasa and Shigaste, so you can have money to spend at local shops.

Are you ready to explore Tibet? Call Tibet Shambhala Adventure to book your dream Tibet trip today: +86-13908907271!

The Tibetan Calendar

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The Tibetan calendar consists of 12 (or 13) lunar months, and Losar begins on the first day of the Tibetan year. The Tibetan calendar is lunisolar and almost identical to the Chinese calendar.

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Tibetan New Year is the same as Chinese New Year, a day earlier, or a day later. The adding of a 30-day month is occasionally done differently (e.g. in 1966), making Tibetan New Year a month later than Chinese New Year.

The Story of Losar

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The word losar is a Tibetan word which means New Year. The word is composed of two characters: lo and sar. Lo means ‘year’ and sar means ‘new’.

Celebration of Losar, Tibetan New Year, at the Tsurphu Monastery.

Celebration of Losar, Tibetan New Year, at the Tsurphu Monastery.

The celebration of Losar can be traced back to the Tibetan pre-Buddhist period (127 BC – 629 AD). At that time Tibetans were followers of the Bon religion, and held a spiritual ceremony every winter. During the ceremonies, people burnt a large quantity of incense to appease local spirits, deities, and protectors. Later this religious festival developed into an annual Buddhist festival.

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