Things to Do in Tibet

This massive saltwater lake is the second largest lake in China and one of the most-visited sites in all of Tibet. Surrounded by picturesque natural beauty, the area's high altitude requires most travelers to spend a few days adjusting to it in one of the neighboring cities before making the trip to the lake's salty shores. 

Visitors agree the lake is a truly breathtaking site to see, and Tashidor Monastery, located on an island in the lake, rounds out the experience with a taste of culture, history and religion, too. The lake's out-of-the-way location also makes it an ideal spot to witness the nomadic life of drokpas"”herders who live on the plateau of Changpa. 

Samye Monastery was the first monastery to be established in Tibet and the location where some of the earliest Tibetan monks were ordained. Built in the 8th century, the site isn’t only famous for its age, but also for being constructed in the shape of a giant mandala symbolizing the Buddhist universe. The prominent centerpiece of the mandala is the main temple, which represents the legendary Mt. Meru. This main temple is surrounded by four additional important structures, the lingshi temples representing the four continents. Additional flanking buildings embody islands, there is a sun temple to the north and a moon temple to the south and a thick wall topped with tiny white chortens encasing the whole world.

The buildings are all painted in the typical red, white and ochre colors and topped by gabled golden roofs glittering in the sun. Equally as impressive as the facades are the rooms of the monastery. Samye Monastery is renowned for the vivid art and there are hidden murals, huge and intricate mandalas covering the ceilings and carefully painted statues waiting to be discovered everywhere. One of those statues, and maybe even the artistic highlight of the temple, is a depiction of Chenresi, the patron deity of Tibet. He can be found inside Chenresi Lhakhang and is shown having a thousand arms to aid all the suffering beings in the world.

Tucked into Lhasa’s iconic Red Hill, Potala Palace is the highest palace in the world, with its main structure sitting more than 12,000 feet above sea level. Its sprawling structures are divided into two parts, known as the Red and White palaces. Travelers who venture to this religious Mecca will find a center devoted to Buddhist prayer and impressive, detailed murals located inside the Great West Hall. The Dharma Cave and Saint’s Chapel date all the way back to the seventh century, offering visitors a chance to connect with Tibet’s rich history in a truly unique way. 

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is located on Barkhor Square. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of the historic ensemble of the Potala Palace and is a spiritual center of Lhasa. Constructed in 642 by King Songtsen Gampo, Jokhang became a famous temple after the Buddhist master Atisha taught here in the 11th century. 

The site consists of four levels of labyrinthine chapels dedicated to gods and bodhisattvas; the dim light of votive candles creates a glow about the place and the smell of incense is everywhere. The entire structure is comprised of an entrance porch, courtyard and Buddhist hall surrounded by accommodation for monks and storehouses on all four sides. The buildings are of wood and stone with a gold roof, and the whole thing is an outstanding example of Tibetan Buddhist style. Jokhang also reveals influences from China, India and Nepal. More than 3,000 images of Buddha and other deities and historical figures are housed here, along with many other treasures and manuscripts. Climb to the top of the temple for a view of Jokhang Square and the pilgrims who circumnavigate the site as part of their pilgrimage. Many prostrate every few feet, while others walk slowly, chanting sacred mantras and spinning hand-held prayer wheels. The top level of Jokhang Temple also provides one of the best views of Potala Palace in the distance.

Known as the home of the "debating monks," Sera Monastery was built on a hillside in the northern part of Lhasa in 1419. One of the three most important monasteries in the city, it is dedicated to the Gelugpa, or Yellow Hat, sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is a university monastery. 

Visitors flock here to see the debates. a tradition young monks take part in as part of their training. In a series of debates, the senior monks drill the younger ones on various doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism and the teachings of Buddha. It’s a very physical display: the senior monks are standing, seeming to shout at the younger ones and then slapping their hands together dramatically—the hand slapping is the signal for the seated monk to respond. The debates may also be punctuated by screams (to throw the other person off). While it’s a very entertaining display for visitors, it’s a serious matter for the monks and a crucial part of training. Also of interest at Sera Monastery are the sand mandalas, beautiful works of art created from sand. These pieces take days to complete and, when finished, are swept away and started again.

While climbing Mount Everest is neither financially nor physically possible for many travelers, laying eyes on the world’s tallest peak from Mount Everest Base Camp is. The infamous peak has two base camps, one in Nepal and the other in Tibet, and for many, a visit to China’s easternmost region wouldn’t be complete without an excursion to take in the spectacular view of Everest’s north face.

Everest Base Camp sits nearly 500 miles (800 kilometers) southwest of Lhasa at an elevation of around 17,000 feet. Unlike the base camp on the Nepal side, you can drive directly to the Tibet base camp without any hiking required. While visitors can’t spend the night in the official base camp without a climbing permit, the area offers many “tent hotels” and Tibetan-style guesthouses. The area is also home to the highest post office in the world and the highest monastery in the world, Rongphu Monastery.

This towering snow-capped peak of smooth black rock is located in the Himalayan Mountains of western Tibet. Mt Kailash is a sacred destination for multiple religions, including Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon followers. Despite varying beliefs, each sect believes this sky-high peak to be among the holiest sites.

Rising up some 22,000 feet above sea level, the surrounding terrain is beautiful, but unforgiving. Two freshwater lakes, including Lake Manasarowar, the highest body of freshwater in the world, as well as several streams and breathtaking scenery make a voyage to Mt Kailash a truly epic adventure. A 32-mile path winds its way up the moutain and typically calls for three days to complete, but travelers say only foreigners make the trip to the top, since religious pilgrims believe walking around the mountain’s base 108 times will remove all sins.

Since Mt Kailash sees such little foot traffic, amenities are few and far between. Travelers should plan to carry water and supplies and prepare for a harrowing, but memorable, journey. Guides are recommended, and porters can be hired in the nearby city of Darchen.

Like a treasure trove or something out of Aladdin’s cave, Barkhor Street is an ancient road that circles the square that houses Jokhang Temple. Most significant as a thoroughfare for pilgrims on their way to the temple, Barkhor Street is also home to the Tromzikhang market, host to a wide variety of vendors selling everything from prayer wheels to yak butter to tea kettles.  

According to local history, when Songtsen Gampo built Jokhang Temple, its grand scale immediately began to attract millions of pilgrims from the area. So many walked around the temple that they wore a path, which came to be the original Barkhor Street. Today, visitors can see pilgrims walking clockwise around the temple, holding prayer wheels. Many of these pilgrims have come from the outer regions of Tibet, walking for days, weeks or months to reach the temple. Some move only by bowing, crossing just a few feet during each prostration. A visit to Barkhor Street is an immersion in Tibetan culture, a multi-colored and fascinating glimpse into the wide diversity of people who inhabit this land.

Lake Manasarovar was once surrounded by eight Buddhist monasteries that represented the Wheel of Life. While many of these holy structures have now crumbled to the ground, the lake’s religious significance has not been lost and Buddhist from across the globe still travel to this sky-high freshwater lake each year. 

The lake’s circumference measures 64 miles around and takes most travelers some four days to complete. But visitors who prefer to skip the trek can still pitch a tent along the shore of Lake Manasarovar and enjoy epic views of its crystal-clear blue and green waters.