Shopping in Tibet, Shopping tips in Tibet

You'd better buy whatever practical items you need in Lhasa if you plan to travel to remote areas of Tibet. There are many department stores in Lhasa, mostly on Yuthok Lu that supply everyday needs. For example, Lhasa Department Store, located on the west end of Yuthok Lu, is the largest and best known department store in Lhasa and sells practical items such as cotton clothing, mugs, canned food, towels, and toothpaste, as well as local handicrafts. There are also some supermarkets in Lhasa, such as Hongyan Supermarket Chains mainly distributed in Lhasa downtown.

Tibet is full of scenic and historical wonder. Even you have explored all the wonders, your trip could not be completed without an fantastic shopping experience at Barkhor Square. So it is wise to give yourself at least half a day to explore the Barkhor Street or the other place of the city freely after you finish your sightseeing plan.

Barkhor Street is a traditional Tibetan shopping center, where shopkeepers with small shops and stalls on the street supply more traditional and fascinating Tibetan artifacts and handicrafts. These items include prayer flags, Buddha figures, conch-shell trumpets, rosaries, amulets, fur hats, horse bells, bridles, copper teapots, wooden bowls, inlaid knives, and jewelry inlaid with turquoise and other gems. It is a little stupid to pay too much on a single item. Do not believe the tour guide if he takes you to some expensive shop. But still, you can fully trust that all the handicrafts are unique designed and cheap and they are great souvenirs anyway that you can take back home. Among them Tibetan knife is a special item that is not allowed on airplane, but you can certainly mail it to your home by post office.

Do not forget to carefully examine jewelry for quality. Though lots of jewelry of excellent quality is available, some is coarse and poor in quality. It is very easy to find appealing items that are uniquely Tibetan. Exotic Tibetan opera masks and costumes are really attractive. Brightly colored, beautifully homespun Tibetan rugs and khaddar are also popular souvenirs. Tibetan carpet can be bought at the Tash Delek Tibetan Rug Factory.

As in other traditional markets throughout the world, you should try to bargain with the shopkeepers so as to buy nice things at lower prices. Cutting half of their asking prices is usually proper. Except shoppers, you may be accompanied by hundreds of prostrating pilgrims. It is a thrilling experience that will certainly remind you that you are in Lhasa.

If you need maps, Xinhua bookstores are good choice. There are three Xinhua bookstores in Lhasa respectively located on Yuthok Lu, east Barkhor and Beijing Zhong Lu.

In conclusion, Tibet is full of shopping treasures that are absolutely worth you waste your money. Do not go back home with an empty bag.

Advice For Trekking in Tibet

It is not a risky affair for those who are in good physical condition to Trekking Tour in Tibet. Nevertheless, having a thorough medical checkup before you start trekking could save you from unexpected danger.

Since at the remote places of Tibet, you cannot get medical treatment as in hospital and the rescue and evacuation take in time, it is important to prepare necessary basic drugs and accessories as your traveling paraphernalia before trekking.

Fitness to Tibet Trekking

You have to be at a level of fitness that will enable you to complete a day's walking up and down in the hill. A normal trekker can endure 5-8km in one day above 3000 meters. It is quite a taxing job to do while you are in mountain area of Tibet with an average altitude at 3800m-4200m. You need to do some physical exercise at your home at least one month before you enter Tibet.

The best preparation for trekking is adventure cycling, swimming, jogging and long walks involving up and down a hill. A Good physical condition will help you to complete a 4-5 days trekking in high mountain area and maximally enjoy the trekking.

Altitude Sickness When Trekking
As we considered, the Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the biggest medical problem while Tibet travel. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevation above 3000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows:

•Loss of appetite
•Nausea, Vomiting
•Insomnia/Sleeplessness
•Dizziness, Light headiness, Confusion, Disorientation
•Persistent Headache
•Weakness, Fatigue, Lassitude, Heavy legs
•Breathlessness and breathing irregularity
•Slight swelling of hand and face
•Reduced urine output

Please consider to stop ascending if any of the above symptoms appears, otherwise more serious problems may occur and even cause death sometimes within just a few hours. The only remedy for the Altitude Sickness is to walk to a lower altitude. As the experience of most trekker, ascending no more than 300-500m per day above 3000 meters and having plenty of rest during trekking are the best methods for prevention of AMS.

Tibet Weather in March

Weather: The first month of spring does not feel like it since it is still freezing. Across Tibet, temperatures drop well below freezing at night. However, except for the thin air, the climate feels more pleasant than March in much of northern America and northern Europe since it is sunny and dry, and the high altitude makes it feel warmer. It is good touring weather for Lhasa and other lower elevation cities.

In Lhasa, it is cold, sunny, and dry, and there are relatively few visitors. The maximum high temperature is about 12 °C (54 °F), and the nightly low is about -3 °C (27 °F). There are only 2 days of rain or snow a month for a total of 3 mm of precipitation. The elevation of 3,600 meters or 12,000 feet makes it feel warm when it is sunny. There are about 8 hours of sunshine a day. 

Clothing: Dress in layers with a coat, trousers, and long underwear for the temperature swings and the nightly temperature drop. The UV radiation is intense, so you'll need a sun hat and sunglasses. Many hotels and restaurants don't have central heating, and you might need to wear your coat inside. Heavier winter gear and gloves are needed in higher areas.

Altitude Sickness: Oxygen levels in Tibet are about 30% less than normal. Many health issues are exacerbated, and most people get altitude sickness. Get health advice before going, and acclimate before exertion or traveling higher than Lhasa.

Things To Do in Tibet in March

Tibet travel: It is a good month for touring the lower elevation areas outside Lhasa along the Friendship Highway to Kathmandu, Shigatse and Gyantze (elevation 4,000 meters). It is also a good time to see Tsetang (3,100 meters) to the east. Travel to the north, to the far west, and to higher altitudes may still be hampered by the weather.

Mt. Everest Base Camp (5,200 meters): March is one of the best months to visit Mt. Everest. It is when many climbing expeditions start their climb before the weather turns snowy in May. The weather is clearer, so you have a chance of seeing it. If you want to hike around Everest Base Camp, we can try to arrange a special hiking permit. 

Go to Highlights along the Friendship Highway

Shigatse (3,900 meters): Shigatse is the second largest city, and it is six hours west of Lhasa. The highlights in Shigatse include Tashilhunpo Monastery. In March, the average high temperature is 11 °C (52 °F), and the average nightly low is -5 °C (23 °F). The higher elevation makes it slightly colder than Lhasa.

Tashilhunpo Monastery: This large ancient monastery in Shigatse was founded in 1447. It sits with a rugged grey mountain at the edge of town. Photographers can get beautiful photographs against a blue and white sky. It was a town for 5,000 monks.

See the Festivals that Begin The Tibetan Year

The Monlam Festival and the Butter Lamp Festival are the middle and ending festival days of the two week long Tibetan New Year worship. The fourth through eleventh days of their year are the Monlam Festival, and the 15th day of their calendar year is the Butter Lamp Festival on the night of the full moon that ends the religious holidays. These latter holidays sometimes fall in March.

Tibet Travel Tips to Visit Yamdrok Lake

Located along the most popular Tibet tour route from Lhasa to Kathmandu or Everest Base Camp, Yamdrok Lake is frequently visited by pilgrims and travelers from different counties. Here are some Tibet travel tips 

As one of the three most sacred lakes in Tibet, Yamdrok means “green jade lake” in Tibetan. There are numerous lake crossings of the Yamdrok Lake, like the corals. It is the largest inland lake of northern Himalayas. The scenery of Yamdrok Lake can be the best in southern Tibet, including snow-capped mountains, glacier, island, grassland, farm and hot spring and other landscapes. The lakeshore of the Yamdrok Lake is a good pasture with herds of cattle, wild animals and plants.

Though the Yamdrok Lake is reachable all year around, the best time to visit Tibet is in autumn and winter when it rarely rains. Besides, various migrant birds will migrate to the Yamdrok Lake to spend winter there, which makes the holy lake more charming.

The Yamdrok Lake is located approximately 120 km (75 mi) southwest of Lhasa. It is easy to drive from Lhasa to the Yamdrok Lake. If you are making a Tibet tour from Lhasa to EBC or Kathmandu, it is not necessary to drive to the lakeshore. You can get a full view of Yamdrok Lake at Khampa-la Pass. In this case, you do not need to pay the entrance ticket to the lake which is CNY40.

Four Biggest Mistakes about Traveling in Tibet

Misled by the bewildering amount of information on Internet, many foreigners make some mistakes about Tibet

Mistake one: It is too cold to visit Tibet in winter.

This is the biggest mistake many travelers make. They think Tibet is unbearably cold in winter. In fact, the weather at many must-see sites is great. There is warm sunshine! Especially in Lhasa tibet, the temperature averages about 12 degrees Celsius in the daytime. Those who have visited Tibet in winter even consider it as the best time to Tibet travel, not only because the tour cost is the lowest, but also because they can avoid big crowds and explore each site more comfortably. Tibet is also at its most authentic in winter, which is the slack farming season. Many Tibetans from the surrounding plateaus take this opportunity to make pilgrimage. Monasteries, temples and streets are teeming with traditionally dressed Tibetans.

Mistake two: High altitude sickness may ruin the trip in Tibet.

Before traveling to Tibet, some travelers worry that they may suffer from high altitude sickness during the whole trip. Actually, only a few people would suffer from serious high altitude sickness when going quickly from lower altitudes to higher ones. Most just experience some mild symptoms on the first one or two days, such as a little headache, loss of appetite and insomnia. The symptoms usually disappear after they acclimatize to the high altitude. But it is important to spend a few days at a lower altitude before continuing to higher places.

Mistake three: Tibet is not safe because of its political instability.

Many foreigners might be misled by some information on Internet written by people who have never been to Tibet or have misconception about Tibet, and are therefore convinced that Tibet is a place filled with violence and terror. However, when they Tibet travel, they will find that it is a peaceful place with kind people and beautiful landscape.

Mistake four: Tibet is an extremely poor place.

Although Tibet is a remote area with high altitude and harsh climate, it is not as poor as it used to be. In recent years, it has developed into a hot tourist destination with advanced facilities, like airports, railways, asphalt roads and starred hotels.

Tibetan Handicrafts

Tibetan handicrafts have become popular around the world with the tourism flourishing in Tibet.

Popular Tibetan handicrafts include: carpets from Gyangze County in Xigaze Prefecture, aprons from Gyaidexiu Town in Lhoka Prefecture, pulu from Chanang County in Lhoka Prefecture, Tibetan quilts from Nanggarze County in Xigaze Prefecture, wood bowls from Gyacha County in Xigaze Prefecture, Tibetan knives from Lhatse County in Xigaze Prefecture, bullion appliances from Lhasa, jade articles from Rinbung County in Xigaze Prefecture and etc.

Tibetan Knives are traditional and well-known handicrafts with a peculiar style. they are indispensable in the life of herdsmen. Tibetans use them as the tools to defend, to slaughter livestock and to eat meat. Tibetans have a sense of security with knives because Tibetan look might and valiant with knives.Tibetan knives are produced in many regions in Tibet. People may focus on knives’practicality, sharpness, decoration, shape, etc. There are two categories: one for man and another for woman. Men’s knives tend to be more curly and sharper while women’s are delicate. The most famous Tibetan knives are Lhatse knife and XieTongMen knife in Shigates Region, whose delicate decorations are unique from those in other regions. Shigates knives are usually made of fine steel, with other materials like bronze, silver, iron, sharkskin, ox horn, agate and wood for decoration. Moreover, some of them are studded with gems. Thus, they are more expensive than the normal knives. The producing process is very complicated.

Best Time for Trekking in Tibet

Spring and Autumn are Best Seasons for Trekking

The best time to go to Lhasa tibet is in spring and autumn which are respectively from April to May and August to October. During these times there is no rain that stops your trekking tour in Tibet and it’s not too hot to walk in the wildness of Tibet.

During trek, you have to pass through many passes and hills that’s why weather should be first thing that you have to know. If you come to Tibet in wrong season then you will not be able to complete your trek route and also you might get sick. So weather condition is very important for trekkers.

And if you trek in these seasons all the places are beautiful and also you are able to go through those passes without any problem. If you start a Tibet trekking tour in wrong season then you might not be able to pass through passes and you will not be able to accomplish your mission.

Trekking in Tibet in Summer and Winter

If you want to enjoy a tibet Trekking Tour in Tibetan summer and winter time, due to the weather condition, you may encouter rain fall and snow. Tibet is a summer resort compared with other cities in China because of high altitude. Even if it’s summer when you go through passes it might snow on the top of the pass because of its high altitude and you will not be able to make it.

Trekking means we are going off the road and climbing on hills and all different places because of these you might slip on those slippery areas and you might get in a big trouble. Therefore, it's suggested to enjoy a short trek in Tibetan summer time.

In Tibetan winter time, it's very cold and also you will definitely not be able to go through passes and you will not be able to trek as you wanted. So you are highly recommended to come in spring and autumn season which are the best seasons to trek in the highland.

FAQs on Trekking in Tibet

1. When is the best time for Tibet trekking?

Tibet travel is possible at all times of year but from April to October is the best season. Trekkers may think that it is best to avoid rainy season to trek in Tibet. Actually, rain is not a problem for trekking in Tibet as it is in rain shadow zone due to high Himalayas. Rather rainy season is the best time for trek, as the weather is mild and the ground in mountain valleys turn green and alpine flowers bloom in profusion. Generally, time without snow is the best time for trekking in Tibet. During the snowfall not only the mountains are inaccessible but the highways that take you to the trail heads are blocked.

2. What the highlights of Tibet trekking tours ?

walking holidays on the roof of the world is a great experience you cannot get in any other place. The Tibetan plateau possesses uniquely beautiful landscape. Only by trekking, you can find the hidden surprises on the Tibet plateau. Your Tibet trekking tour is enhanced by frequent encounters with nomads, yak and sheep herds, and visits to ancient villages and beautiful monasteries, not to mention the spectacular mountains and serene lakes of Tibet.

3. Can I trek in Tibet individually?

For foreigners, individual travel is not allowed in Tibet at present. Foreigners are required to travel in Tibet with the company of local tour guide. Honestly, you are highly recommended to hire a tour guide even without this restriction for the geography of Tibet is very complicated and altitude sickness easily happen at such a high altitude place.

4. How to avoid altitude sickness while trekking in Tibet ?

The most important concern for trekking in Tibet is altitude sickness. Tibet is located at an average altitude over 4,000. Meanwhile, almost all treks involve high passes even higher than 5,000m. So you must have a full acclimation of the high altitude of Tibet before starting your Tibet trek tour. Tell your tour guide if you feel uncomfortable during trekking, like reeling, headache, vomitting, bad dreams, loss of appetite and sleeplessness appear. The best treatment for altitude sickness, once the symptoms appear is to descend down to lesser height.

5. Where and what type of visas do I require for traveling in Tibet?

To visit Tibet, you need at least two visas, Chinese Visa obtained from Chinese Embassy in your home country, and Tibet permit issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau but applied through an authorized Tibet travel agency. Then if you trek to restricted areas of Tibet, Alien’s travel permit and/or military permit are required. If you book tour from Tibet travel org, they can help you arrange all the documents.

6. What kind of clothing/accessories should I bring for trekking in Tibet?

From Oct. to March warm clothes are required due to cold and from April to September only light clothes will be enough. However, a jacket and a sweater are advised throughout the year as the weather may unexpectedly change at any time. The recommend items are: A domestic first aid kit, water purification tablets, toilet and tissue papers, flashlight, sleeping bag, comfortable walking shoes, dust masks, utility knife, sun hat, sun glasses, suntan lotion and a limited number of clothes.

Health Knowledge You Should Learn Before Going to Tibet

It is significant to keep healthy in Tibet when travelers are traveling in Tibet. As we all know, high altitude sickness is the biggest risk for travelers to Tibet. Any carelessness may lead to grave consequences, even death on the Tibetan plateau. Thus, tourists are advisable to know more about what altitude sickness is and how to avoid it. Here, you will found some travel tips from experienced doctors in Tibet. 

Tibet is renowned as the roof of the world due to its high altitude, thus altitude sickness easily happens to new-comers. It is important to keep health during Tibet tour. The following is some health knowledge you should learn before travelling to Tibet if you wanna finish your Tibet tour pleasantly.

1. Though altitude sickness sometimes can be daunting, it is more important to overcome the unnecessary fear on the altitude sickness. You should take it easy as the altitude sickness is avoidable by proper methods.

2. During your first two or three days in Tibet, travel to a higher place after fully acclimating. Do not drink any alcohol, take shower, do taxing activities. Have enough rest

3. Have some easy-to-digest food and drink enough water to keep enough water in your body. Do not be too full for supper. No smoking and drinking. Fruit and vegetable that are rich in vitamins are helpful for overcome altitude sickness.

4. Avoid over fatigue and irregular diet and activities; do not take bath frequently so as to avoid catching a cold.

5. Change clothing appropriately since the temperature in Tibet varies greatly between day and night as well as different areas. Generally speaking, the temperature would decrease 6 degrees centigrade as the altitude increases per 1,000m, and the temperature is much lower at early morning and late afternoon. Therefore, it is also necessary to prepare a coat or light sweater even you travel to Tibet in summer.

6. Take a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen cream, lotion and lip protector since it is very dry in Tibet and the ultraviolet ray is very strong. Some tourists would suffer from nosebleed and chapped lips at the first days in Tibet.

How to get a bike in Tibet

1. Purchase
Nowadays it is possible to buy a mountain bike in Lhasa for about Y500. The mountain bikes sold in Lhasa tibet are mostly made in China, like Chinese Flying Pigeons. There are several bike shops in Lhasa. After finishing your adventure cycling tour in Tibet, you can sell your bike to local people.

2. Rental
Also, you can rental a bike there. The only place in Tibet where you can easily rent bicycles is Lhasa. The rate is Y3 to Y5 per hour or Y20 to Y30 per day for normal bikes and Y50 to Y60 per day for mountain bikes. The bikes are usually Chinese Flying Pigeons. Test the brakes and tyres before taking the bike out onto the streets. Tibet Vista can arrange the technical bicycle for our clients. 

3. Pack your own bike to Tibet
For long distance cyclists, they prefer using their own bikes. Long distance cyclists are commonly appearing on the roads of Tibet, but most of them are Chinese youths. Most cycle to Lhasa along Sichuan-Tibet Highway or Qinghai-Tibet Highway and then send their bikes back home after cycling in Tibet. Some foreigners also pack their bikes to Lhasa and then cycle along the Friendship Highway to Katmandu. Few also buy mountain bikes in China and bring them up to Lhasa.

How to send your bicycle to Tibet travel? You can send you bike to Lhasa by air or by train. Do pay attention on package of your bike. Different airlines have different specific requirements on the package. Some airlines do not offer service of transporting unpacked bicycles. If you send your bike to Lhasa by train, your package must meet the following requirement: the width, height, length of one piece of luggage is limited within 160cm; the length of luggage in shape of pole is limited within 200cm.

Tips for cycling in Tibet

1. Banks in Tibet: There are few banks in Tibet. Though there are several banks in Lhasa, it is difficult to find banks outside of Lhasa city. Thus, take some cash with you.
2. Season to cycle in Tibet: It is best to avoid July and August which are the rainy season of Tibet. The roads in Tibet are easily interrupted by rainfall and landslide during these two months. The best time to bike in Tibet is May, September and October.
3. Have good rest and maintain energy as you can. Since you are doing sport in a place with average altitude over 3500m, do not run a risk to cycle too fast on the Tibet highland. Have a rest when you feel tired.
4. Prevent your head from cold wind by headscarf or hat; otherwise it is easy to catch a cold during biking.
5. If the weather is bad, take some medicine to prevent cold in advance.
6. Don't choose campsite at the lower mountain stream for it is very dangerous when a sudden food happens at night.
7. Protect the environment; don't dump trash everywhere.

Tibet Weather in July

Weather: July and August are the two rainiest months in Tibet. It is too rainy and snowy for long hikes in the high mountains, and travel is sometimes hampered in the region. It is warm in most of the towns and attractions that tourists go to though. Travel is generally convenient to the north, east, and on the Friendship Highway to the south. July is a month for outdoor festivals, and travel is fine for going to most of the popular ones.

Most tourists arrive in Lhasa, one of Tibet's lowest valleys tourists go to. In Lhasa, the minimum temperature is 10 °C (50 °F), and the maximum temperature is 23 °C (73 °C). It rains about 20 of the days of the month, mainly at night, for a total of 117 mm. Its elevation is 3,600 meters (12,000 feet).

Clothing: Dress for the big nighttime temperature drop with a jacket, T-shirts, trousers, good water resistant shoes and rain gear. Cover up to prevent sunburn, and sun glasses and a sun hat are helpful. Bring a heavy coat and gloves when you go to higher elevations.

Altitude Sickness: A health check is advisable since the oxygen in the air in Lhasa is only 2/3 of that at sea level and even less in most of Tibet. Conditions such as high blood pressure and asthma are exacerbated in these conditions, and most people get altitude sickness.

Things to Do in Tibet in July

July is one of the best months to visit southern attractions such as Shigatse and other attractions on the Friendship Highway (G318) and the high elevation areas to the north of Lhasa weather wise. However, it isn't a good month for hiking or sightseeing at Mt. Everest due to the inclement weather there.

Enjoy Namtso Lake: In July, you can enjoy walking and staying overnight at the lake more than in most of the year. It is a salt lake four hours from Lhasa that is reputed as one of Tibet's best scenic places. It is one of the highest lakes in the world at 4,718 meters or 15,000 feet, and the scenery and sunsets are amazing. Acclimate for two or three days in Lhasa valley to enjoy it up there.

Tashilhunpo Monastery: This big red brick monastery has a rugged high mountain background. It makes a bright contrast with the grey rocks and the blue and white sky. It was originally a town in itself for monks and contains assembly halls, dorm rooms, and temples. It once held 5,000 monks. Now, prayer wheels keep on turning, and you can visit it just outside of Shigatse. The monastery is at an elevation of 3,800 meters, and we suggest acclimating in Lhasa or another lower place before going there.

Tibetan Festivals

Summer Festivals: In July and August, Tibetans hold their outdoor market fairs, encampments, and sports contests when the weather is the warmest and the grass the greenest. The exact dates of these festivals depends on their lunar calendar.

Notable events include the Ganden Thangka Festival and the Shoton Festival. During the Ganden Thangka Festival, the monastery in Ganden 1½ hours outside of Lhasa displays its relics and unveils its thangka. During the Shoton festival (yoghurt festival) in Lhasa, the Drebung and Sera monasteries show their thangkas, and then many Tibetans have picnics at theNorbulingka and watch Tibetan opera and dance. 

Tibet Food and Restaurants

Tibetan people's traditional food is mainly composed of meat (beef, mutton or yak), and very few vegetables are available. Beef, mutton and yak meat are high-calorie which can help local people living at high altitude to resist cold. Their unique drinks are also integral to Tibetan diet, including yak butter tea, sweat tea and barley tea.

Yak Butter

Yak butter is the staple food and can be found everywhere in Tibet. It is indispensable for Tibetan people, consumed as a drink or served with Tsampa. It is extracted from milk or ewe’s milk and then churned with butter and salt. Serving yak butter tea for guests is an old tradition for every Tibetan household.

Tsampa (aka. Zanba, roasted barley flour)

Tsampa is an important and staple food for Tibetan people. It is easy to make and carry around. Tsampa is made with highland barley, tried, fried and grinded into flour. When eating Tsampa, it is mixed with yak butter and kneaded into lumps.

Tibetan Noodle

Tibetan noodle is a very typical local breakfast and traditional snack. The noodle is made of highland barley and cooled with yak meat soup. A scrumptious breakfast consists of Tibetan noodle with spoons of pepper sauce, meat pancakes on the side, and a cup of sweet tea.

Tibetan Yogurt

Yogurt has been essential in Tibetan people’s everyday life for over one thousand years. Shoton Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals in Tibet, was named after Yogurt, indicating this festival was the time for eating yogurt. Tibetan yogurt is made from yak milk, natural and thick without additives.

Lhasa in December

Clothing: For the temperature swings, dress in layers with a coat and trousers. The UV radiation is moderate because it is a little misty and foggy, but still cover up and wear a sun hat and sunglasses to protect yourself. You might need your coat inside Lhasa tibet hotels and restaurants because many don't have central heating. Take heavier winter gear is needed in higher mountain areas.

Altitude Sickness: Oxygen levels are much lower in Tibet, so cardiovascular conditions and other health issues are exacerbated, and most people get altitude sickness. For the best experience, acclimate before exertion or going higher than Lhasa.

Things to Do in Lhasa in December

The Tsongkhapa Festival: This is a minor festival during which prayers and chants are said. It celebrates the anniversary of the death of a monk named Tsongkhapa. Tsongkhapa lived in the 1300s in Tibet and wrote important volumes of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. At Sera and Leprung in Lhasa, there may be processions. This festival is in November or December usually depending on their calendar.

Yambajan Hot Springs: People will be amazed to find an outdoors hot spring fed pool for swimming and enjoyment at the 4,300 meter level. It might make for a comforting winter excursion. This hot springs area is about 1½ hours northwest of Lhasa along road G109. The waters are high in sulphur.

Shop and Dine on Barkhor

Barkhor Street: It is Lhasa's shopping street. Tibetan people bow and stretch out on the pavement as a traditional Buddhist way to worship and make pilgrimages. They make their way to Jokhang Temple that is on the street. They worship outside and circle it.

In December, you can enjoy the street and the highlights with less tourists and relatively more Tibetans than during high season. Try the high protein Tibet food in the restaurants, and buy souvenirs in the dozens of stores on the street. You can get artwork and handicrafts such as Tibetan rugs, clothes, crafts and artwork, and gold and silver jewelry.

Tour Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery: This big monastery is an authentic and important monastery where monks are still trained. It is probably the most scenic and interesting monastery in tibet travel because it is on top of a scenic mountain at an elevation 4,300 meters or 14,000 feet.

It is one of Tibetan Buddhism's three main monasteries and was founded in 1409. It is only about 1½ hours away from Lhasa.

Visit Potala Palace

Visit the Potala Palace: This big palace is a world famous Lhasa landmark and recommended by UNESCO. A structure was first built in the 600s, and later in 1645, the present building was begun.

It has about a 1,000 rooms, and it is 13 stories tall. It is still used as a worship place, but it is mainly a museum. Crowds of pilgrims and locals worship during their ceremonies. Because you have to climb a lot of stairs, it is good to acclimate for two days before touring.