Tibet’s top 20 travel experience in this blog post is as per the recommendation in the latest edition of Lonely planet Tibet edition 2015. We genuinely suggest every traveler at-least the most out of limitation your tour itinerary gives. Before proceeding, WE would like to remind travelers to read my previous post about what travelers expect and what is the reality of Tibet tourism. Besides all the drawbacks, Tibet is still a unique, and it’s worth traveling to Tibet once in some years.

Following are Tibet’s Top 20 travel experience.

Tibet’s Top 20, Mount Kailash. Traveling to this remote region is indeed a blessing. Billions of Buddhist and Hindus believes the regions most popular Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake as the holiest pilgrims destination. During your visit, you will observe the religious rituals of the two most influential religion in Asia.

Hindu believes Mount Kailash as the realm of Lord Shiva and the four-sided pillar of the world. Manasarovar lake is also thought to have create my the lord of the lords and creator of universe the lord Bharman. Visiting once in the lifetime, circumambulating the Mount Kailash and dripping in the Manasarovar lake erases all the sins of the lifetime.

Buddhist believes the mount Kailash is the resident of lord Dhamchok who represents the supreme bliss.

The region is also the source of four major rivers in Asia and source of drinking water for one fourth of world populations.

The fascinating microcosm of Tibet. Barkhor is also the most popular destination in Lhasa. Its always recommend for travelers to wander around the Barkhor Circuit, you will never know what you will come across. Follow the tide of Tibetan pilgrims circumambulating the circuit. Your smiling face will do the wonders. It’s good to prepare some gifts from home these strangers.

Many travelers end up being a family visitor and then become friends. Just follow your heart with the echo of a rhythm of mantra recited by Tibetans, it will do wonders.

Tibet’s Top 20, Number three Jokhang temple. It lies in the heart to Barkhor Circuit. The seventh century builds Temple, the heart and soul of Tibetan Buddhism. Walk into the dark chamber, and a small chapel fills with the scent of incenses and butter lamp illuminating the century-old statue of Buddha. Walk with some local devotees and observe the trance of devotions.

Observe every detail in the main chapel; the pillars are the Nepalese style. Look at the lions crafted on the side roof; you will see some human faces snow lions. Find an extraordinary calmness beside the noise of prayers and mummer of Mantras and prayers.

Go to the rooftop for the spectacular view of Potala from distances. And sometimes take for self exploration, get lost in the Temple and you will surely come out different person after some minutes of 14-century experience.

4) View of Mount Everest,

The sight of Mount Everest from Tibet is one of the most popular reason behind many travelers visiting Tibet. From Tibet side, the Mount Everest is more accessible as there is a motorable road till the base camp. Whereas, from Nepal side takes about a week of trekking.

The view is Majestic Everest with the combination with prayers flags of Rongbuk Monastery, or the tent Hostels is just breathtaking, and it will sure make you stop for a second look.

And don’t forget the glimpse of Sunshine over the Everest.

Tibet’s Top 20, Saga Dawa Festival. The holiest month for all the Buddhist around the globe. Tibetan from the nearby towns and cities would gather in Lhasa city. to is the month; We dedicated to religious practice. Offers most popular traditions are going to pilgrimage to the holy site, Making the offering to the Higher realm and people who are little miss-fortunate then oneself and going for circumambulation.

Where ever you go to Tibet, you will see the religious practice and rituals. If you are in Lhasa, do not forget to go for Barkhor kora in the evening, you will see thousands of people prostrating around the street, If you are Buddhist or if you want to act generously you can make an offering to water, and candy for these tried prostrators. In the morning you can go for 8 Km Lingkor circumambulation, the Lingkor circumambulation is the circumambulation around the fabulous city of Lhasa or Tibetan quarter of Lhasa city. Or Traveling west to Kailash is also very good.

This eight-century build monastery is the first monastery in Tibet. The three-story building has got inspiration from Tibetan, Chinese and Indian Architect. The main temple is surrounded by the four different colors of stupa with the unusual shape.

The monastery is locate in a semi-deserted area. Which is a bonus to the marvelous eight-century building? If you are visiting the monastery, please consider staying in town for a night for exploration of Chimpuk Hermit.

Tibet’s Top 20 Number seven, The Tibet Train Ride. The architecture wonders of the 20th Century in the surface of Tibet. Most delightful means to reach the Holy city of Lhasa. If you are traveling to Tibet in Train, do not forget to pull up your window for the beautiful view of Qinghai Lake on the left side. Give a doted yak and nomad tent on the highest plan in the world. As the altitude gradually increase you may have to take oxygen supply at the 5072 Meter train station (The most top train Station in the world) in Tibet.

8) Drepung and Sera monasteries in Tibet.

Two of the three biggest spiritual centers in Tibet. The visit to this two monastery will give you a very deep understanding in the monastic life of Tibetan monks. Visit Sera monastery in the afternoon to see the monks debating. Go for Kora of both monasteries for a beautiful view of the Lhasa city and the Lhasa Valley. Sit in Silent in the main chapel to observe the divination of pilgrims. Observe the architecture of the buildings and giant statues of Buddha.

Tibet’s Top 20 number nine, The potala palace. Soaring above the old Lhasa city, the grand Potala Palace is the truly an architectural marvel of Tibetan Civilization. Visit the Palace is a must. The Traditional home for Tibetan rulers and Dalai Lamas. The palace contains the tomb stupas of Dalai Lamas and chambers of Dalai Lamas. It is genuinely a concentrated spiritual and material wealth of Tibet.

The Yak butter tea is one of must try while in Tibet. Some prefer to call it the soup for the thickness of flavor. It is a favorite drink of Tibetan; we drink it every morning. When we don’t drink this tea, we would feel we are not home. But please remember the Tibetan Yak butter tea is salty.

11) Gyantse Kumbum

Tibet’s Top 20 number eleven, Gyantse Kumbum. This unique Tibetan Buddhist Stupa is one of a kind in entire Himalaya. As you spiral around and up the snail shell shape structure, you will pass by the unique mural in the walls and gradually you will get the medieval view of Gyantse town. Do not forget to explore the Ancient part of the Gyantse town.

12) The Ganden Monastery

Two hours drive east of the Lhasa city brings you to the Ganden Monastery. The Monastery lying on top of the amphitheatrical valley gives you a magnificent view of Kichu River Valley, Doing Kora of a monastery provides you an excellent experience of trekking in this high altitude.

The monastery is the principal monastery yellow head sect of Tibetan Buddhism. it also houses the Tomb stupa of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of yellow hat sect.

Tibet’s Top 20 number thirdteen, Koras and Pilgrimage. Where ever you go in Tibet, you will find a local Tibet circumambulating the Monastery, temples, city, Mountain and even entire lake (Holy lake like Namtso Lake). There will have a prayer wheel or Malas in their hand. Some of the few things we might find strange is; rubbing Back on well polish stone at the path of Kora. Monks are giving predictions of the future for some alms. Beautiful rock carving and paintings. You will find a different Ecosystem of devotion and loving kindness. Sometimes you may get an invitation to join locals for tea or some eatables. Some lucky even get beautiful gifts from locals. If you want to explore the local life and be with local Tibet go for Kora of Monasteries. Plus going for Kora in the morning gives you an excellent chance to take a great picture smile of devotions.

14) Adding your prayer flags on the high mountain pass

The tradition of prayer flags comes from the ancient shamanic religion of Tibet called Bon. It is believed, as the wind blows on the flag, it would bring prayers print every corner of the mother nature and in return it would bring us good luck.

Sometimes when you are crossing the pass, Your driver or guide might shout SO SO SO. The final act in making the full procedure of wind horse ritual. Typically, we put the flag and burn for incense and throw some Tsampa (roasted braley flour ) in the Air, we would shout SO SO SO. Join your guide and driver and do SO SO SO. You can bring your prayer flags and put it on the passes. This would bring lots of positive energy and good karma.

25 Kms detour from the Friendship high way brings you to the Sakya Monastery. The drive from the High way to the Sakya town itself is very impressive. Once at the Sakya town, it will make you feel like you are in the different Tibet. All grey walls with the stripes. The Monastery itself looks like a medieval fort kingdom. It has a high wall surrounding the monastery with the watchtowers on four corners. Once inside Main Chapel, the trunk size pillar, ancient relics and three story of collection of rare Tibet scripture will surely bless you.

Do not forget to take a walk on the surrounding walls. it will surely bring you and your camera back to the medieval days.

250 km north of Lhasa brings you to Namtso Lake. The heavenly lake. The lake is surrounded by the snow-capped mountains with the deep blue color of water. It is said the Half of the lake is salty and another half in a fresh. The area where the tourist vehicle may become little crowded with tourist. There is a hill where Tibetans go for Kora; little exploration could bring you to the side of hill containing the per traditional wall painting on stones.

Staying for a night at the lake is highly recommend, you can choose to camp for a night or stay in a local guesthouse (with low facilities). In the early morning in the dusk, The sunshine over the lake is truly heavenly. Try to go for a Kora with the pilgrims.

The forgotten and abandoned kingdom in the west Tibet. The Kingdom was once a very prosperous kingdom, and it enjoys the great benefit of the silk route trade. The visit to the Kingdom is much different then Lhasa and central Tibet. The kingdom also has a unique blend of Buddhist Art, and it is very visible in your exploration. You will have an ancient cave town entirely for your exploration.

18) Ngan Tso & Riwok Tso

These are the twin lake just by the Sichuan-Tibet High way. Situated 3850 Meters above sea level, surrounded by the chain of mountains and forest. The lakes have become a trendy destination for overlanders from China.

Ganden Samye Trek is the most popular trekking route in Tibet. You will be trekking between two famous monasteries. You will cross camps of nomads. Some beautiful Lakes, above 5000-meter pass and the Guru Rinpoche hermit.

Much popular travel website and guidebook consider this trekking as four days trekking, but I would recommend you to do it for five days. Plus one day stay and experiences the nomad life for a day.

20) Friendship high way: Lhasa to Kathmandu.

This is the most popular tourist route in Tibet tourism. This overland journey takes you to the most beautiful villages in Tibet. stunning view of Mount Everest and other mounts in Himalayan ranges, as you will drive west to drive into Nepal. You can visit the Everest base camp for an impression of majestic Mount Everest.haIf you.

If you are planning to travel Tibet. please write to me for free and latest Tibet tourism information. write to me at info@itibettravel.com