{"id":415,"date":"2023-10-24T03:58:42","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T19:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/2023\/10\/24\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/"},"modified":"2024-05-17T11:35:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T03:35:43","slug":"what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Tibet Look Like To A Travel Writer"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p>What comes to mind when you first hear the word \u201cTibet\u201d? For some it conjures up images of monks and meditation, of high mountains and crystal clear lakes, of blue skies and red robes, and possibly the legendary Shangri-La.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"\">What comes to mind when you first hear the word \u201cTibet\u201d? For some it conjures up images of monks and meditation, of high mountains and crystal clear lakes, of blue skies and red robes, and possibly the legendary Shangri-La.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Travel_to_Tibet\" title=\"Travel to Tibet\">Travel to Tibet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Nellie_and_our_tour_guide_Sonam_at_Everest_Base_Camp\" title=\"Nellie and our tour guide Sonam at Everest Base Camp\">Nellie and our tour guide Sonam at Everest Base Camp<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Unforgettable_Memory_of_Tibet_Tour\" title=\"Unforgettable Memory of Tibet Tour\">Unforgettable Memory of Tibet Tour<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Highs_and_Lows_of_the_Trip\" title=\"Highs and Lows of the Trip\">Highs and Lows of the Trip<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#The_Famous_Potala_Palace\" title=\"The Famous Potala Palace\">The Famous Potala Palace<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Take_photo_in_front_of_the_Potala_Palace\" title=\"Take photo in front of the Potala Palace\">Take photo in front of the Potala Palace<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#The_Potala_Palace\" title=\"The Potala Palace\">The Potala Palace<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#The_Endless_Stairs_of_Drepung_Monastery\" title=\"The Endless Stairs of Drepung Monastery\">The Endless Stairs of Drepung Monastery<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#The_Drepung_Monastery\" title=\"The Drepung Monastery\">The Drepung Monastery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Sitting_on_the_stairs_of_Drepung_Monastery\" title=\"Sitting on the stairs of Drepung Monastery\">Sitting on the stairs of Drepung Monastery<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#The_Debating_Monks_of_Sera_Monastery\" title=\"The Debating Monks of Sera Monastery\">The Debating Monks of Sera Monastery<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Debating_Monks_of_Sera_Monastery\" title=\"Debating Monks of Sera Monastery\">Debating Monks of Sera Monastery<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#The_Epic_Views_along_the_Friendship_Highway\" title=\"The Epic Views along the Friendship Highway\">The Epic Views along the Friendship Highway<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Epic_Views_of_the_Friendship_Highway\" title=\"Epic Views of the Friendship Highway\">Epic Views of the Friendship Highway<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Everest_the_Final_Destination\" title=\"Everest, the Final Destination\">Everest, the Final Destination<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Mt_Everest\" title=\"Mt. Everest\">Mt. Everest<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Taking_the_Scenic_Route_back_to_Lhasa\" title=\"Taking the Scenic Route back to Lhasa\">Taking the Scenic Route back to Lhasa<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Surrounded_by_pray_flags\" title=\"Surrounded by pray flags\">Surrounded by pray flags<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Photo_with_pray_flags\" title=\"Photo with pray flags\">Photo with pray flags<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Yamdrok_Lake\" title=\"Yamdrok Lake\">Yamdrok Lake<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#The_Spectacular_Yamdrok_Lake\" title=\"The Spectacular Yamdrok Lake\">The Spectacular Yamdrok Lake<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Photo_with_Yamdrok_Lake\" title=\"Photo with Yamdrok Lake\">Photo with Yamdrok Lake<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Catching_up_with_the_Guide_at_Gyantse_Fortress\" title=\"Catching up with the Guide at Gyantse Fortress\">Catching up with the Guide at Gyantse Fortress<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#Visit_Gyantse_Fortress\" title=\"Visit Gyantse Fortress\">Visit Gyantse Fortress<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/what-does-tibet-look-like-to-a-travel-writer\/#A_Word_of_Gratitude_to_Tibet_Vista_from_Nellie_and_her_friends\" title=\"A Word of Gratitude to Tibet Vista, from Nellie and her friends\">A Word of Gratitude to Tibet Vista, from Nellie and her friends<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Travel_to_Tibet\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FvXLJdHeWLMb_o4WAqD10hzhgGfO?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" title=\"\">Travel to Tibet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"2.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fs3zBmaWBi6OBPuZGZwFi9Dk3kM7?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" title=\"\">Travel to Tibet<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>Nellie Huang<\/strong>&nbsp;is a traveling writer whose work has been published in several well known publications, as well as featured on CNN and the BBC. She has traveled to over 110 different countries across all seven continents. Recently, she decided to&nbsp;take a tour of Tibet, and booked one of our tours, with a couple of her friends.&nbsp;Read more about her on her blog:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildjunket.com.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.wildjunket.com.<\/a><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nellie_and_our_tour_guide_Sonam_at_Everest_Base_Camp\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"3.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FhjXaBjkCDlj32sKfIXd0ch35ooe?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"576\" height=\"722\" title=\"\">Nellie and our tour guide Sonam at Everest Base Camp<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p style=\"\">She chose to&nbsp;take an <span style=\"color: rgb(9, 18, 235);\"><strong>8-day tour that included the Everest Base Camp<\/strong><\/span>, and traveled at the end of May 2017. She was impressed by the devout Buddhist religion, the renowned cultural treasures, and the stunning landscapes.On her return, she published her own travelogue on her<strong>&nbsp;<span style=\"color: rgb(9, 18, 235);\">blog site<\/span><\/strong>, and you can visit the site to find out more about how she saw the true Tibet.<\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unforgettable_Memory_of_Tibet_Tour\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"4.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FkLQqMFDGn6ndwiFYpHIFinBAC_y?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" title=\"\">Unforgettable Memory of Tibet Tour<br \/><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>The trip was one that she says she will never forget. The kind of trip that you wish would never end. Everyone had a great time on the trip, and they learned more about this remote region of the world that is so steeped in mystery, religion, and ancient traditions. The managed to see the region from the perspective of the locals, and though the trip was only short, they were able to experience more than they had imagined possible.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Highs_and_Lows_of_the_Trip\"><\/span><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\"><b>Highs and Lows of the Trip<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"\">One of the biggest challenges was getting everyone there. With so much red tape involved in organizing such a trip, the requirements seem like an immense hurdle. In order to get into Tibet, one has to have a valid Chinese entry visa, as well as the permit to travel within Tibet. Without it, it is impossible to even board the plane or train to Lhasa.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"5.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fk0WBQpxD6AgRqsFEhq66pTBIP0U?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"442\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<p>Photo with travelling fellows<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>According to Nellie, the first day of the trip was the most stressful for her. All of the planning and organization had been done, but she was not really able to breathe freely until they were actually in Lhasa.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Famous_Potala_Palace\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\">The Famous Potala Palace<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take_photo_in_front_of_the_Potala_Palace\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\"><\/span><\/b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"6.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FpeLopCFEHiZEDNhLBujbL_xzRGK?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"446\" title=\"\">Take photo in front of the Potala Palace<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>The trip began with a visit to the famous Potala Palace. This iconic landmark of Tibetan culture and religion is probably the most well-known building in Tibet. And while there was a little issue with the ticket for one of the group, they were all able to get into Potala.<\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Potala_Palace\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"7.png\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FthaB5AdPWVDFjlfc4B0FZdg8VUN?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"589\" height=\"376\" title=\"\">The Potala Palace<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Endless_Stairs_of_Drepung_Monastery\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\">The Endless Stairs of Drepung Monastery<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Drepung_Monastery\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"8.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FltHyvby_MQtu9x2r5-TmMY5ZXKY?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"391\" title=\"\">The Drepung Monastery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>On the following day, the group paid a visit to the outskirts of Lhasa, to take in the stunning sights of Drepung Monastery. The largest monastery in Tibet, it sits perched atop the Gambo Utse Mountain. Getting there was a chore, as there are lots of slopes and steps up to the monastery, and at these high altitudes, the group found it to be pretty tiring. Our guide, Sonam, kept them going with taunts of \u201cJust one more flight of stairs and you\u2019ll be there,\u201d though there always seemed to be more each time they reached the top of one flight.<\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sitting_on_the_stairs_of_Drepung_Monastery\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"9.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FjNUCcbkaNVkyF5Xf4YPFuInUWT1?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" title=\"\">Sitting on the stairs of Drepung Monastery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Debating_Monks_of_Sera_Monastery\"><\/span><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\"><strong>The Debating Monks of Sera Monastery<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Debating_Monks_of_Sera_Monastery\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"10.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FlyAXDtGf1KS4t4xkLcoExpPgNRQ?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"320\" title=\"\">Debating Monks of Sera Monastery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>Part of the learning of the monks in Tibetan monasteries is done through debating. These debates, which are held almost every day, give the monks a better understanding of Buddhist philosophies through questioning the doctrines with another, more senior monk. In majority of monasteries, these debates are private, but in Sera, which they visited later in the day, the monastic debates are open to the public. Watching the monks in their vigorous debates, with expansive movements and expressive hand gestures, was an eye-opening experience for the group.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Epic_Views_along_the_Friendship_Highway\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\">The Epic Views along the Friendship Highway<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Epic_Views_of_the_Friendship_Highway\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"11.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FqVtCuEXv5R2C4P8M7IDKlHh6crp?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"606\" height=\"304\" title=\"\">Epic Views of the Friendship Highway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>After their visit to the monasteries, the following two days were spent on the road to Shigatse, from where they would journey to Everest Base Camp. The winding road climbed more than 2,000 meters from the elevation of Lhasa, and the views along the way were stunningly picturesque scenes of winding valleys, vast expanses of grasslands, lush meadows, and windswept mountains. When they reached the highest mountain pass in the region, Gyatso La, which stands 5,260 meters above sea level, they were greeted with the sight of thousands of Tibetan prayer flags blowing in the wind, and a spectacular panorama of five of the world\u2019s highest peaks.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Everest_the_Final_Destination\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\">Everest, the Final Destination<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mt_Everest\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"12.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FgohSinuE06hyFwzcpRmo_pBxU_l?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"384\" title=\"\">Mt. Everest<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>When they finally arrived at EBC, everyone was on a high of excitement, although one of the group was suffering from mild altitude sickness. However, after Sonam hooked him up with a little oxygen, he felt a lot better. Although he did not want to let go of the oxygen again!<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Taking_the_Scenic_Route_back_to_Lhasa\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\">Taking the Scenic Route back to Lhasa<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Surrounded_by_pray_flags\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"13.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FqYn_ErZU3tj-P2rHBAmSENQf9r4?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" title=\"\">Surrounded by pray flags<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>The drive back to Lhasa was longer, as the group was taken on a scenic tour of the region that took them to see the lime-green fields of barley, the crystal-clear, turquoise lakes, time-locked villages and stupa-studded mountains. The landscapes were as divers and they were spectacular. The first stop on the way back was at Mandak Lake, a man-made lake with sparkling, jade-green water. As they walked along the mountain pass, they were engulfed by hanging prayer flags in the viewing spots.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Photo_with_pray_flags\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"14.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fgub4LqExLSsyIjk9ZF443Xwcc8E?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" title=\"\">Photo with pray flags<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yamdrok_Lake\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\">Yamdrok Lake<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Spectacular_Yamdrok_Lake\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"15.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FpgSZ8M-_Z_QHNC6GnH4h_Q3e7j4?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" title=\"\">The Spectacular Yamdrok Lake<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>Yamdrok Lake was bigger than they had expected, and much more spectacular. However, Nellie felt that the tourist industry had imposed too much on the area, with locals charging for tourists to have their photos taken with the yaks and Tibetan mastiffs. And at Karola Glacier, despite it being a striking reminder for her of similar trips to Alaska and Norway, she was struck by the aggressive touts and vendors at the location.<\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Photo_with_Yamdrok_Lake\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"16.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FmSziFlDLoTn-NxysEzFqfhGGDmq?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" title=\"\">Photo with Yamdrok Lake<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Catching_up_with_the_Guide_at_Gyantse_Fortress\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\">Catching up with the Guide at Gyantse Fortress<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_Gyantse_Fortress\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\"><\/span><\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"17.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FkidYMlo0pLUmZNZyU4_KhQN2u-N?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" title=\"\">Visit Gyantse Fortress<br \/><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>Majority of tourists who visit Gyantse go to the monastery, but Sonam convinced the group that the dzong, or fortress, was a better place to visit. And they readily agreed, despite being told there was a climb to get there. It turned out that the climb was indeed very steep, and they \u201chuffed and puffed like grannies\u201d on the way up. As Nellie noticed, Tibetans are like supermen in the thin air, as they are genetically adapted to living at high altitudes. While the climb was hard for the group, they all decided the views from the dzong were worth the effort.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Word_of_Gratitude_to_Tibet_Vista_from_Nellie_and_her_friends\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(227, 55, 55);\">A Word of Gratitude to Tibet Vista, from Nellie and her friends<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cPutting together this trip wasn\u2019t easy: Months of planning, communicating and dealing with red tape were involved. But I\u2019m grateful to have Stephanie from Tibet Vista helping me every step of the way. I wouldn\u2019t have been able to do this without her. She worked closely with me for months to make sure we had all our permits and train tickets before the trip and it\u2019s all thanks to her that this trip turned out to be such a success.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m also extremely grateful to our awesome guide Sonam Tenphel, and driver, Nyima Tsering. Both of them were extremely professional and dedicated and they did a great job in showing us the best of Tibet. Sonam often went out of his way to make sure we experienced as much as we could, and he was always happy to answer any questions we had. All in all, I\u2019m really glad to have Tibet Vista as a partner, and I definitely plan to run more tours with them in future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Read the detailed Tibet trip review from Nellie Huang here:&nbsp;https:\/\/www.wildjunket.com\/first-time-travel-to-tibet\/<\/p>\n<p>For more up-to-date information about Tibet travel,scan the QR code to follow TibetVista tours, they offers innovative ideas&nbsp;on itineraries,things to do and see,places to eat and sleep, transportation and visa guidelines etc.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"18.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fg0V43dmYb7AjlQz-31q4a2iofS4?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"504\" height=\"300\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"GIC.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FlXXlKXBxtykYAuKbjvAxKMwIbVH?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"500\" height=\"543.2937181663837\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What comes to mind when you first hear the word \u201cTibet\u201d? For some it conjures up images of monks and meditation, of high mountains and crystal clear lakes, of blue &#8230;","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=415"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8351,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415\/revisions\/8351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}