Tips on Tibet Train

It is really a once-in-a-life journey to have a Tibet tour by train. The super highlight of this kind of Tibet tour is the Sky Train, the world’s highest train ride across the 5200 meter high mountain pass amidst the grand vistas of surreal mountain range and uniquely shaped Tibetan Landscape. It would be an unforgettable expedition across full bosomed clear streams cascading down beautiful mountain ranges, sharing kisses with glistering dew drops, an amorous ride with nature.

As the tour counselor for years, based on my experience, here are some advices for all the international travelers:

Like traveling in other parts of China, if you don't speak any Chinese or have little knowledge of this country, please bring a phrase book with you. Though the train attendants had some crash courses of English, it is surely not enough to cover different situations on board.

After going up more than 4500 meters above sea level, some weird things may happen at the altitude like ink-pens leak, vacuum-sealed food packages explode, some laptops and digital music players fail. So please get ready for what is going to happen on the way!

The trains may stop at some high-altitude stations with a fantastic view. Please keep warm if getting off the train. Catching a cold on the plateau will make you feel worse, even lead to a disastrous consequence. Please don't run and get excited at the height, otherwise, you may feel very uncomfortable afterwards due to lack of oxygen.

Please take light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy, and avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration.

You can use sunscreen, sunglasses, lip creams to protect your eyes and skin, for Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with more intensity.

Please check with your doctor before coming to take the trip. Those who have heart problems, high or low blood pressure are not recommended to take the train ride and visit Tibet. For regular people, doctors may or may not suggest that you bring some high altitude medication based on your physical condition.

info comes from

Travel to Tibet

Accommodation conditions in Tibet

Accommodation conditions in Tibet have been greatly improved due to rapidly developing tourism in Tibet. In most cities and counties in Tibet, there are hotels and guest houses for lodging, but the equipment and service may be inferior to those of the other places of China. Even some famous international chain hotels in Lhasa, like Sheraton and Jardin secret, the service standard and
facilities of most 3, 4 even 5 star hotels are not what you would expect from the same rating hotels in Beijing or Shanghai.

Most of the standard rooms of the starred hotels in Lhasa have private washrooms with water heaters. In the guest houses there are own public bathrooms with fixed time service. Usually internet service is available in the business center or the separate internet bar in the hotels, and private internet service may be offered in the luxury rooms of a hotel. However, in some remote areas, the internet is not accessible due to the limited condition. Coffee is uncommon in the rooms, but many hotels have a separate cafe.

In Lhasa and Shigatse, starred hotels are more than other cities of Tibet. In Lhasa, accommodation ranges from guest houses to five star hotels. Except for the golden weeks of May Day Holiday, National Holiday and Shoton Festival, the hotels are not difficult to book. In Shigatse, Gyantse, Tsedang and Nyingtri, the highest standard is three stars. In Tingri, Zhangmu and Nagchu, the highest are two stars while in other smaller or remote areas, accommodation is mainly in guest houses, usually having a public bathroom with squat toilet. Therefore, when travelling to remote areas where only guest houses are available, you should bring a sleeping bag to keep warm and clean. You can bring a tent if you would like to camp for the night, such as at Namtso Lake.

In the off-season, most hotels go out of business due to fewer travelers. But in the high season, the prices are about 30% higher than those during the low season, sometimes up to twice as much.

Besides, if you want to get more close to local life and learn about local customs, Tibetans welcome you to their houses. Nowadays, Tibetans have opened their own hostels themselves, which are very popular with travelers. In Lhasa, there are many hostels of this kind in the old district, especially around Barkhor Street.

information comes from Travel to Tibet

Photography Loop for Central Tibet

Tibet, land of mysteries. There’re great valleys crouching beneath snow laden mountains, lakes mirroring blankets of snow, majestic Buddhist edifices, which make Tibet a “paradise” for photographers. After full exploration in Lhasa city,

11 Days Tibet Photography Tour

Standing at the roof of the world, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau creates a unique Tibetan nationality due to its unique natural conditions. Their unique religious beliefs help to create splendid Tibetan culture center around Tibetan Buddhism. Either stunning natural landscape or profound & unique religious culture is a fatal attraction for any photographers. This is a classic photography tour with high accessibility, covering Lhasa, Shigatse and other towns center around human landscapes; Yamdrok lake, Namtso lake and other well-known holy lakes in Tibet; and the highest peak in the word – Mt. Everest. The highlights and attractions in this tour are highly representative.

• Duration: 11 Days
• Max Altitude: 5，200 meters
• Customizable private tour with private guide & vehicle

Highlights in Central Tibet

1. Soak up the fabulous location and spectacular circular complex of Samye, Tibet’s first monastery.
2. Hike the Yarlang Valley, including the iconic Yumbulagang-the first building in Tibet-and the ruins of Rechung-puk.
3. Overnight at one of central Tibet’s peaceful monasteries-either beside the sand dunes of Dorje Drak, beneath the juniper-clad hills of Reting or at the vibrant monastic centre of Mindroling.
4. Soak your worries away in the picture-perfect hot springs of Tidrum Nunnery.
5. Squeeze, drag and giggle yourself silly through the sacred cave complexes of Drak Yangdzong, an adventurous overnight pilgrim destination.
6. Get a taste of the northern Changtang at the turquoise waters, snowy peaks and nomads’ tents of stunning high-altitude.
   Info. from Tibettravel.org

Tibetan Barley Wine

The Tibetan brew is known as chang, a fermented barley beer. It has a rich,  fruity taste and ranges from disgusting to pretty good.

Connoisseurs serve it out of a jerry can. Those trekking in the Everest region should try the local variety, which is served in a big pot. Hot water is poured into the fermenting barley and the liquid is drunk through a wooden straw  –  it is very good. Sharing chang is a good way to get to know local people, if drunk in small quantities. The taste of Chang differs from one to another due to the brewing method and duration.

Monthly Travel Advice for People Travel to Mt. Everest

From January to March, Mt. Everest enjoys a very clear view at this time but is kind of cold. There may be some snows, so make sure you bring warm clothes and pay attention to the slippery roads.

From April to mid-June. This would be the best time to visit Mt. Everest for warm weather. Many mountaineers choose this period of time to climb Mt. Everest.

From mid-June to August. There will be a lot of rainfalls during these months. Mt. Everest may be covered by mist, so there are some possibilities that you cannot have a clear view of Mt. Everest.

From September to November. Winter comes. Weather at Mt. Everest is relatively harsh. Chances are that you may not see the summit of Mt. Everest clearly because of the cloudy climate.

Tibet Travel Tips for Vegetarian Tourists to Tibet

If you are a vegetarian and plan to travel to Tibet, you don't need to worry about what to eat during your trip in Tibet. There are many vegetarian restaurants in Tibet offering you a wide range of options. You can just specify when ordering.

1. Holy Land Vegetarian Restaurant located on Linkuo Bei Lu in Lhasa (at northern end of Ramoche Road). This restaurant is considered as the best vegetarian restaurant in Tibet. In this restaurant, vegetarians don't need to worry about the 'soy fish' or 'soy chicken feet', this is 100% vegetarian food, dressed up to resemble meat dishes. It is a large place with 2 floors of dining areas nicely and comfortably decorated. The wooden tables and Buddhist images on the wall give the place a simple Zen-like atmosphere. The English and picture menus help things along. Extensive English menu with photos features elaborate dishes. Open daily 9:30am-9:30pm.

2. Wonderful Vegetarian Restaurant at Jiangsu Lu, near the west gate of Tibet University, in Lhasa. This vegetarian restaurant in Lhasa offers an English menu that features a wide variety of hot dishes consisting of vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and/or mockmeat. It also provides a variety of snacks, soups, cold dishes, drinks. Simple food without use of much herbs and spices. No eggs or dairy used. No alchohol or smoking. Open daily 10am-10pm.