Do you want to do something different?
Visit Tibet, and find out why it is called "rooftop of the world."
Visiting Tibet is now easier than ever, and much cheaper. If you've always dreamed of visiting beautiful Tibet, now is the right time to do it. Follow your dream and visit Tibet on a budget.
For those who never imagined traveling to Tibet, this article will give you a perfect reason to pack your bags and book a ticket to Tibet.
- You can’t go by yourself like a backpacker- you must be part of a tour group! Foreign tourists are not allowed to walk alone in Tibet. You’ll need a tour guide or be part of a small tourist group.
- You need a Chinese visa to enter China first, then you’ll need Tibet travel Permission. For visa and permission, you need to apply by yourself or to arrange a travel agency, and they will organize all required documents for you.
- Due to the high altitude (over 3000m), the oxygen level in Tibet is thin and with low pressure.
Reasons to visit Tibet
We don't need to write a list of the reasons to visit this magical country, there are too many! Tibet is a mysterious place with the richest spiritual culture.
If you want to breathe the cleanest air on the planet, visiting Tibet is a good reason to pack your suitcases.
In addition to clean air, you will see incredible landscapes, gorgeous lakes, and mountains. You will be part of breathtaking nature.
Every new adventure gives you the chance to meet new people, and traveling to Tibet is an excellent reason to meet new friends from all around the world.
Tibet has extraordinary architecture. Houses are so colorful and unique.
I think these are enough facts to make you want to travel to Tibet immediately.
Tibet is a beautiful country to visit at any time of the year. Each season has something to offer to amaze tourists.
If you want to visit Tibet on a budget than your trip should be in the low season, when prices are half compared to High season. The best time to visit Tibet on a budget is from May to October.
You may read: "avoid travelling to Tibet in winter” because it’s dry and windy, however there are still beautiful places to be visited in winter.
During certain months in winter is it not advisable to visit the Everest base camp.
The end of February and March, Tibet closes the entrance of foreign tourists due to the celebration of Losar Festival (Tibetan New Year).
Are there budget Tibet Tours?
One of the main reasons people don’t travel to Tibet is they think it’s expensive, however these days that has changed. Reserving a Budget Tibet Tour with a local travel agency is the most practical and worry free way for travelers to Tibet.
You can have the best adventure of your life on a budget.
Before you plan your trip to Tibet, there are a few regulations you need to know. First, you need to make a plan for your trip to Tibet. Make a list of everything you want to visit in Tibet as this will make it easier to plan your budget. There are tour agencies that can make your trip as you want, and also they can help with your plan and budget.
Train vs. Plane
Traveling to Tibet on a budget is feasible if you choose the smart way of transportation. The most popular and cheapest way of arrival in Tibet is to get the Qinghai-Tibet train.
If you’re starting point is Beijing, then Lhasa to Tibet will take you about 40 hours. Although the trip is quite long, you will have the opportunity to see the untouched nature and the incredible landscapes. If 40 hours seems too long than mix the transportation, from Beijing to Xining you can fly, and take a train from Xining to Lhasa.
This option is not very popular. It's hard to get the tickets from any other place to Lhasa for the train.
If you are traveling by train, you will have the opportunity to be at the train station located at the highest altitude in the World. There are so many marvelous places worth seeing during traveling with Qinghai- Tibet train.
Traveling to Tibet by plane is quite short compared with traveling by train, but that comes with a high price.
If you want to travel to Tibet on a budget traveling by train is your cheapest option, but be sure to book as soon as possible because after two or three months, tickets are all sold.
Tibet is a great mystical country with places that deserve to be visited. Tibet has numerous monasteries, temples, and whole territory with divine nature that radiate with uniqueness.
Lhasa- The Capital of Tibet
Lhasa is situated in south-central Tibet, to the north of the Himalayas. It is the capital and it’s the main cultural center of Tibet. A famous city that is visited by tourists, offering a variety of accommodation from hostels to luxury hotels, exclusive restaurants and famous places to visit.
The must-see places in Lhasa are:
- Potala Palace is the highest historical palace in the world with an altitude of 3,750 m. It is is one of the wonders of the world, because of the physical structure and its importance in Tibetan history. The visit is time-limited. During the high season, tourists are allowed to be in the palace for about 1 hour, and during the offseason about 2 hours. Even the cards are limited in size, to protect the cultural and religious heritage of the palace.
- Jokhang Temple is part of the Potala Palace and together are included on the list of UNESCO. Jokhang Temple is the mystical center of Tibet, and the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims. It is located at the heart of the old town of Lhasa and surrounded by Barkhor Street. Head to the rooftop of the temple, from there you will have a stunning view of the Potala Palace.
- Barkhor Street is located in Lhasa. Here you can find various shops where you can buy traditional souvenirs. Barkhor Street is a popular circumambulation for pilgrims.
- Ganden Monastery was built in 1409, which makes it one of the earliest monasteries built in Tibet. It's one of the three magnificent temples, along with Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery.
Everything you imagined about Tibet has in Shigatse, here is the real adventure. Shigatse is the second-largest city in Tibet. What describes Tibet, in general, is Mount Everest and the surrounding mountains covered with snow, many monasteries, peace and tranquility everywhere, the incredible local population that is always ready for tourists. In Shigatse, all of this is in one place. Everything you have ever dreamt about when thinking of Tibet.
Here are some of the places you should visit while you are in Shigatse:
- Mt. Everest in Tibetan is Chomolungma, is the highest mountain in the World with 8,848 m above sea level. Have a trip to Mount Everest, it is the “heaven” for many climbers but also a big attraction for hiking, and a perfect place for adrenalin junkies.
- Everest Base Camp is on the North Base Camp in Tibet with 5,150 m above sea level. If you are an adventurist and mountain lover, you must go to the Everest Base Camp. It is a once in a lifetime chance to be on top of the world.
- Tashilumpo Monastery is located at the foot of Drolmari, western side of Shigatse. Tashi lumpo Monastery has great historical and cultural meaning for the Tibetan people. The First Dalai Lama founded it in 1447.
- Sakya Monastery is also known as Pel Sakya. It is established in 1073, by Konchok Gyelpo. It is located 160 km southwest of Shigatse. Sakya Monastery has the most significant collection of sutras.
- Shannan in Tibetan is known as Lhoka, which means “south of the mountains.” Shannan is a magical place to visit while traveling to Tibet. This area is rich in rivers and lakes. The most important and the most beautiful is Yamdrok Lake.
- Yamdrok Lake is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is a freshwater lake with over a 72 km long. The lake is surrounded by snow-covered mountains, making the surroundings even more beautiful and magical. The lake leaves no one indifferent, everyone who has visited leaves with astonishment and tranquility that he has received from peace and untouched nature. The lake has a turquoise color, which it receives as a reflection of the pristine sky and, of course, from the purity of the water.
- Yambulakand Palace or Yumbu Lakhang, also known as Yumbu Lakhang is the first Palace in Tibet, build in the Second century BC. Do not miss climbing to the top of the palace and experience the magnificent view of the surroundings.
- Namtso Lake. Because the altitude is 4,718 m above sea level, this lake is one of the extraordinary landscapes in Tibet. It is a saltwater lake, the second largest in Tibet. It is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. In Tibetan Namtso Lake means “Heavenly Lake.” If you are traveling in Tibet on a budget in winter, you will see the lake frozen. The ice starts cracking in May, so the best views are in summer time.
When travelling somewhere for the first time, it is good to know some basic information.
What you should bring with you
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sunscreen cream
- Lip balm
- Warm clothes (even in summer)
- Comfortable shoes for walking
Medicine
- Anti-diarrhoea medicine
- Pills for pain
- Tablets for headache
- Medication for high blood pressure
When visiting a Monastery:
- Don’t take photos of Buddha statues
- Dress properly
- When you enter take off your sunglasses and your hat
In Tibet DO NOT:
- Touch the head of the local population
- Run- running combined with the low oxygen do not mix
- Eat fish, donkey, horse or bird
- Walk alone, always be with your tour guide and the group
I hope everything that you've read will be helpful for your journey to Tibet. If you have always dreamed of travelling to Tibet but didn’t know it could be done on a budget, you now have your answer! It is possible to visit Tibet on a budget.