One of my foreign friends asked me if I had some advice for her upcoming trip to Tibet after I had just concluded mine this month. I have to say I can only provide this much due to my short stay there. Tibet is a place worth taking a long time to explore.

First, what type of transportation will you take?

Train

The newly opened Qinghai-Tibet Railway provides a cheaper and convenient way for people to travel to Tibet.

I went there by train. If you have plenty of time and aren't afraid of taking long-distance trains, traveling by train is a good choice.

First, you get to see the unique landscape in western China and get up close to mysterious Tibet bit by bit. There are many scenic spots along the way. Lying 120 meters west from Golmud station is the 6,178-meter Yuzhu Peak, the first breathtaking scenery along the way. It's the highest peak in the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountain Range. After Yuzhu Peak, the train passes Kekexili Nature Reserve. Kekexili is described as a paradise for animals.

Through the train windows, you may find see Tibetan antelopes and gazelles running on the wild grasslands. The headwater of the Yangtze River, Tuotuo He River, also lies in this section. In the afternoon, the train passes Tanggula station, the highest station in the world. The altitude of the station reaches 5,072 meters above sea level. At around 5:30 in the afternoon, the train passes another amazing scenic spot, Cuona Lake, and then reaches its destination, Lhasa, at 10:30pm.

Secondly, it can help you deal with the altitude problem. Many people from low-altitude areas coming to the plateau suffer from altitude sickness. However, traveling by train means you climb the plateau at a relatively slow speed where your body can adapt to the high altitude and reduce the effect of the sickness. From Golmud station, there is extra oxygen and free medical service on board, which guarantees passenger safety.

Last but not least, the carriages are very clean and there is no need to worry about toilets.


Air

What I want to say is good luck and take care, haha! Just joking. No need to be too worried about altitude sickness. Take good precautions and relax.

Facts:

1. A taxi from Lhasa Railway Station to downtown should cost RMB 30. Taxi drivers usually don't use meters. It takes less than 30 minutes to go to the railway station from downtown Lhasa.

2. A taxi from the Lhasa Gongga Airport to downtown Lhasa should cost around 100 RMB and takes about 40 minutes.

3. It takes around one hour for the airport bus to reach Gongga Airport from downtown Lhasa.


In Lhasa, some place to recommend in particular.

Without a doubt, the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Monastery are the two most famous holy places in Lhasa. There is no need to talk too much about them.

Barkhor Street near Jokhang Monastery is famous for Tibetan arts and crafts, clothes and accessories sold along the street. Travelers usually go there to shop for souvenirs. Like many other scenic spots in China, you have to bargain with the vendors.

There are also many unique bars and restaurants in Lhasa. I have been to Snowland Restaurant and the New Mandala Restaurant on Barkhor Street. Snowland is considered the best restaurant in Lhasa. Many foreigners visit there. They provide Tibetan, Indian and Nepalese cuisine.

The Makye Ame Restaurant is another place that is highly recommended. The history of the restaurant involves a beautiful story between the sixth Dalai Lama Cangyang Gyacuo and a girl. I actually didn't go there myself, but one of my friends did. After returning from Tibet, we visited their Beijing restaurant. What I want to say is the Lhasa restaurant is really worth a visit.

Facts:

1. The weather here is cool and humid. Take more clothes with you, like a sweater and a thick coat.

2. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also a must.

3. Lhasa is a pretty modern city. You can buy what you want there. So if you forget anything, don't worry.

CRIENGLISH.com
Miss Erminia(Text & Photo)