Tibet Tours

Fifth International Walking Tibet circumambulation on July 25 starting from firing the Potala Palace Square in Lhasa, after 3 days of the trip, at 27 pm on a smooth return to Lhasa, on schedule, safely and smoothly concluded.

27 evening, the Organizing Committee for the triumphant return of the competitors on foot banquet to celebrate the fifth International Walking Tibet Namtso success. Tibet Tourism Bureau, the Lhasa municipal government, City Tourism Bureau and other relevant departments, attended the closing dinner, and spoken speech.

At the closing dinner, the Organizing Committee to participate in the race walking competition awards and souvenirs members. The competition awards a total walking champion, two runners-up and the best team, best coach, best environment, best outdoor skills, the best fashion, best style (Best Highlights Award) and other awards. Competitors Ye Yuan, Li Bin, Yan Yang won, respectively, second and third; cross-country running team the best team Hou Award, 5143 Award of Gansu team leader, the best leader, best team won the Skills Award Yang Juan, the youngest Competitors take Ji An award for best environmental protection, she was walking tour, pick up litter along the 16 kg. In addition, Guo Zongsheng, Man’s habits are the best and best flavor Award (Award for Best Highlights).

Lhasa Municipal Committee, vice mayor of the closing speech, Chen pointed out in the Fifth International Walking Tibet Namtso co-operation in multi-party success. In the foot process, competitors use their enthusiasm, high morale, with the challenges of practical action to limit the plateau. They feel the unpredictable side of the plateau climate, enjoy the holy, magical, beautiful scenery circumambulation while cleaning up trash along the way, to protect the plateau Pure Land, practicing low-carbon environment, not only convey the spirit of self-challenge, but also spreads the philosophy of environmental protection. Although along the way in the cold, with altitude sickness and all kinds of discomfort, but the majority of foot competitors and promote unity and cooperation of staff, fighting with the spirit of love, mutual encouragement, overcome difficulties, to challenge the limits, for the fifth Tibetan Iriki measure the success of the International Conference on foot and made unremitting efforts.

Nearly 100 million yuan (about 14.7 million U.S. dollars) has been spent on preserving 22 heritage sites in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, including the traditional residence of Panchen Lamas.

The amount spent is about 20 percent of the total 570 million earmarked by the central government for Tibet’s largest ever cultural preservation program that began in 2008, the regional cultural heritage administration said in a press release Thursday.

Construction workers have replaced moth-eaten posts and repaired cracked walls in more than 20 halls of the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in Xigaze Prefecture, the traditional residence of the Panchen Lamas and the biggest single preservation project, it said.

Around 110 million yuan will go into repairing the 300,000-square-meter Zhaxi Lhunbo, built in 1447. The lamasery houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue, which is 26.7 meters tall.

Of the total 22 preservation projects, seven are in Xigaze, said Lhaba, chief of the local cultural heritage bureau, who like many Tibetans goes by one name.

One of the places to be repaired is Shalu Monastery, which was built in 1087 and restored in 1333 after the original structure was destroyed in an earthquake.

Last year alone, the preservation projects created more than 27,000 jobs in Xigaze, said Lhaba. “Altogether 8.5 million yuan in wages were paid to local farmers and herders who participated in the repair work.”

Besides Xigaze, the government-sponsored heritage preservation program also covers landmark monasteries in Lhasa, including the Jokhang, Ramoqe, Drepung, Sera and some heritage sites in Shannan and Ngari prefectures.

The preservation efforts were financed by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance.

Four sites have already been repaired and most other projects are expected to be completed before the end of this year.

The program was launched after a 330-million-yuan preservation project on the Potala Palace, Sagya Monastery and Norbu Lingka Palace.

Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has earmarked 2 million yuan of special funding to preserve Tibetan opera, the regional government said Wednesday.

The funds would be used to train more performers and upgrade facilities of Tibetan opera troupes, the regional cultural department said in a press release.

The funds would benefit eight schools of Tibetan opera that enjoyed relatively long histories and were more popular among Tibetans, it said.

“These schools are popular in Doilungdeqen County on the outskirts of Lhasa, Namling County of Xigaze, Nedong County of Shannan, and Chagyab County of Qamdo,” it said.

Tibetan opera is more than 600 years old, about 400 years older than Peking opera, one of China’s more famous cultural treasures.

The performing art featuring vivid face masks, earthy dancing unvarnished singing and colorful costumes is staged for religious festivals and family celebrations.

The survival of the traditional art form is being challenged as some of its unique skills — especially singing techniques — have to be handed down through personal contact from generation to generation.

The death of one aged artist might mean the loss of the performance art of one school. Experts say it is imperative to train more young actors.

China stepped up preservation of Tibetan opera in 2005 and has since spent 10 million yuan to shore up village troupes and publish books and videos.

Yet money is still a problem for many village-run troupes with no regular financial sources. Earnings from performances barely cover the living and travel expenses of performers during the performing season, which discourages young people from taking up the art.

Tibetan opera was put on the world heritage list of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2009.

1: While he thinks about Tibet and his little girl at home

Tibet’s mystery has been attracting the world’s tourists. Traveling in Tibet is not similar to that in other places, As Tibet is located in the highland areas, you need to pay more attention to the following 10 notes.

1. Drink more water

As the low-altitude air humidity in Tibet, the human body is vulnerable to dehydrate, coupled with the increased hemoglobin, which leads to the increase of blood viscosity, it is easy to form clots and cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Therefore, drinking more water is a necessity.

2. Quit smoking

Cigarettes produce carbon monoxide, which has high affinity ability with hemoglobin 250 times to 300 times stronger than that with the oxygen. Smoking a lot will significantly increase the altitude sickness.

3. Learn correct

Exercise proves that abdominal breathing gets more rules and rhythms than pectoral breathing. When you are walking or climbing, place your hands on your hip so that the muscles of the arm, clavicle, scapula and the torso above the waist make assisted respiration in order to increase the activity of the respiratory System.

4. Avoid severe activities, excited emotions and too hot water bath

These should be avoided to prevent the body to speed up metabolism and increase hypoxia, leading to pulmonary edema.

5. Adhere to the diet principles of high-carbohydrate, high-vegetable protein and low fat

Carbohydrates provide energy quickly so that people adapt to the high-intensity activities, and increase the exchange of oxygen ventilation. Excess fat and animal protein can increase the altitude sickness.

6. Take some diazepam tablets appropriately

Altitude sickness is easy to cause insomnia. Take some diazepam tablets appropriately to ensure adequate sleep. In addition, people under the age of 16 and above 60 years old or suffering from anemia, diabetes and serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and chronic lung disease, mental illness and pregnant women are unfit for the plateau tourism.

7. Drugs

Prepare a number of conventional flu drugs, gastrointestinal drugs and some heat and pain medicines such as: cold tablets, cold-fever-treating infusion, the compound aspirin, chlorpheniramine and antibiotics. If you fear altitude sickness, you can prepare some anti-altitude sickness drugs such as Rhodiola plateau (taking it at least 10 days ahead of schedule), Bufferin (control the headaches caused by altitude sickness), American ginseng tablet.

8. Food

In order to prevent food intolerance or being blocked on the way, you can bring: chocolates, beef jerky, hot pickled mustard tubers, biscuits and other food you love. High-calorie food is better. You can also bring some gums, because chewing gums can ease the headache and tinnitus, but remember not too frequently, or it will cause dry mouth.

9. Necessary articles for daily use

Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, skin cream, lip balm, long-sleeved shirt, sweater; for special travel such as Ali, northern Tibet, Sichuan-Tibet line tourism, better bring: sleeping bags (cold proofing), sheet (anti-dirty) , down jacket, hiking shoes, slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels, roll paper, paper underpants, disinfection wipes, flashlight, waterproof matches, knives and rope.

10. Wear

Due to the strong ultraviolet rays in Tibet, you can not wear short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts and must prepare sweaters. For spring, autumn and winter, bring the down jacket and woollen underpants. You must take the down jacket together with you all he year round if you travel to Mount Everest, Ali area and northern Tibet; the best shoes Is the travel shoes or hiking shoes.

8:What does it mean to practice Eco Travel and Responsible Tourism in Tibet?

Here are some helpful guidelines for ecotourists and responsible travelers to Tibet:

* Choose a local Tibetan travel agency

There are many agencies that offer Tibet tours. Try to choose an agency based on the Tibetan plateau (in Xining, Chengdu, or Lhasa) that is owned, managed, and staffed by Tibetans. These agencies have far more expertise in arranging Tibet tours than do Chinese tour operators based in other regions of the country. In addition, if you use a Tibetan-owned travel agency, you can be sure that more of your tourist dollars are going to be put into the local Tibetan economy.
* Patronize local Tibetan businesses

Tourism makes up a large part of the Tibetan economy. If you want to see your tourist dollars go to Tibetans, try and use as many Tibetan owned hotels, shops and restaurants as possible. Through strengthening the local economy, you will be improving the lives of Tibetans and helping preserve their cultural heritage.
* Hire local Tibetan guides and drivers

If you want to better understand Tibet, travel with locals, who can provide expert advice on all the best locations and inform you on local perspectives and opinions. Chinese guides in Tibet invariably know very little about the local culture, religion, and language that make Tibet such a beautiful place. Having a local guide will give you a more meaningful connection to the place you are visiting. At the end of your trip, if you believe your guide and driver did a good job, tip them.
* Respect Tibetan cultural and religious customs

When entering monasteries and temples, dress appropriately. Take off your hat (and shoes if required) and wear long pants instead of shorts. Ask first before taking pictures — many larger monasteries require that individuals pay a small fee to photograph the inside of temples and prayer halls. Do not step on or over any religious items or pictures, and if seated, do not point your feet towards religious images or monks and nuns. Be aware that some chapels forbid women to enter. If you’re a woman, do not touch a monk; and if you are a man, do not touch a nun. Walk counter-clockwise in and around Buddhist temples, but walk clockwise in and around Bon temples. Some travelers have reported that wearing a Buddhist rosary puts Tibetans at greater ease by showing them that they respect the local culture and religion.
* Follow leave-no-trace principles while trekking

While trekking, ask permission from local nomads if you plan to camp near them (so that they can call off their ferocious dogs). Make sure you do site cleanups before you leave an area and pack out all trash. Use environmentally friendly soaps and detergents. Carry reusable tableware. Don’t go to the bathroom near water sources. Stay on existing paths and don’t make new ones to avoid contributing to soil erosion.
* Abide by local laws

All travelers in the Tibet Autonomous Region require permits that list the dates of their stay and the locations they plan to visit. Do not stray from this itinerary without express permission from your travel agency. If you overstay your permit or venture into an off-limits place, the consequences for the travel agency that arranged your tour will be severe. While tourists may only be fined 300-500Y, travel agencies can be fined up to 50,000Y and might be shut down. While you might not like or agree with the travel policies in Tibet, keep in mind that your actions affect local Tibetans and might put them out of a job.

Avoid political discussions while traveling in Tibet. While you may not get in trouble, you could get the locals into serious trouble.
* Don’t pay for pictures or hand out medicine

Tibet is a poor place, and you may be tempted to hand out money, candy, or medicine to those you meet along the way. However, these are not good tourist practices. If you want to help local Tibetans, donate directly to orphanages or service projects in the area.

If someone does not want to have their picture taken, respect that right. In addition, do not pay anyone for their photograph. If you tell someone that you are going to send them their photo, then follow up on it. You can send your pictures to your travel agency or guide. Guides frequently return to the same places and can take the photos to the places you visited.

The one place it is fitting to leave small bills is at monasteries. Many monasteries are supported by the alms that pilgrims offer on the altars. In addition, feel free to give small change to groups of chanting monks and nuns as well as pilgrims that you see prostrating in front of temples or on longer kora routes. The monks and nuns sing prayers to raise money for their temples and the pilgrims have traveled long distances and depend on the support of others to complete their journeys. If you’re not sure who they are, just ask your guide. You might see locals donating to them as well.

Make responsible choices when traveling to Tibet. Discovering ways of connecting with locals and making a difference will greatly improve the quality of your trip.

SnowLion Tours is a Tibetan-owned travel company that provides eco-friendly, high-quality travel services that help benefit local Tibetan communities.

If you have any questions about responsible tourism or traveling to Tibet, contact us at

Learn Chinese at Christian Louboutin, easy and fun!

I am a traveler who. Sometimes alone, sometimes with the passers-attended. I once drove a motorcycle traveled northwest Gobi, desert, beach, temple. Earlier this year, I have set for themselves this year plans to Tibet on foot. I sketched a map of every Tibetan youth hostel, the owner of the deliberations with the other volunteers Agreement – Yes, my journey will be a volunteer tour. This approach may be difficult, but let me stay for longer Tibet, a good feel for local conditions and customs. I have in the past to get to know Tibet ALICE exchange experiences, for each possible scenarios prepared.

After a period of rest, I sold a motorcycle, alone to Tibet. Medog at the moment, I live here the weather is good. CYTS network is slow, I entrusted my friend, released a day trip photos, and love to travel with friends to share. I will also be able to access some travel notes, when issued, or to answer questions about walking tours. Thank you, I was goggle-eyed fish stay.

First Day: the day in Lhasa, is lazy and leisurely … …

Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has earmarked 2 million yuan of special funding to preserve Tibetan opera, the regional government said Wednesday.

The funds would be used to train more performers and upgrade facilities of Tibetan opera troupes, the regional cultural department said in a press release.

The funds would benefit eight schools of Tibetan opera that enjoyed relatively long histories and were more popular among Tibetans, it said.

“These schools are popular in Doilungdeqen County on the outskirts of Lhasa, Namling County of Xigaze, Nedong County of Shannan, and Chagyab County of Qamdo,” it said.

Tibetan opera is more than 600 years old, about 400 years older than Peking opera, one of China’s more famous cultural treasures.

The performing art featuring vivid face masks, earthy dancing unvarnished singing and colorful costumes is staged for religious festivals and family celebrations.

The survival of the traditional art form is being challenged as some of its unique skills — especially singing techniques — have to be handed down through personal contact from generation to generation.

The death of one aged artist might mean the loss of the performance art of one school. Experts say it is imperative to train more young actors.

China stepped up preservation of Tibetan opera in 2005 and has since spent 10 million yuan to shore up village troupes and publish books and videos.

Yet money is still a problem for many village-run troupes with no regular financial sources. Earnings from performances barely cover the living and travel expenses of performers during the performing season, which discourages young people from taking up the art.

Tibetan opera was put on the world heritage list of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2009.