The legendary Potala Palace might be the favourite destination, and the capital city of Lhasa can always be your base camp, but there are a lot more less-visited destinations in Tibet if you know where to go. With magnificent sceneries, spiritual crowd and great food, it’s hard not to be enchanted by Tibet. A friendly note for first-time visitors: avoid flying direct to Tibet so you don’t have to risk altitude sickness as the airport is located high above the sea level. Take the train from mainland China or the jeep from Nepal instead.
At 4,718 meter above sea level, Namtso Lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world. Also known as the Heavenly Lake and considered as one of the holy lakes in Tibet. Nearby rock massif is threaded with small caves where Tibetan monks meditate while facing the lake.
Throughout the 8-hour long drive from Lhasa to Namtso Lake, you will pass more lakes and spots perfect for photo opportunities. Although be careful when taking photos of tents and adorned yaks, as their owners might pop out of nowhere and demand photography fees.
Ride a car for 3 hours east from Lhasa to reach Shigatse and see the Tashilhunpo Monastery. Built on the year 1447 by the first Dalai Lama Gedun Drubpa, the 70,000 square meters area is filled with villages and temples where people ring the bell as they come in.
If you’re lucky enough to get a culinary aficionado as your guide, you will enjoy the true taste of Tibet. The signature food of Shigatse is Liang Fen, cold rice flour dough doused in chili sauce. There’s also a salty-spicy snack made of rice flour mixed with nuts with chewy texture and chili sauce. Unique to a street stall in front of the monastery, you can’t find this snack anywhere else in the city.
photos by
KEI YANTI
