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Things to do in Tibet

We’ve picked out our top things to do in Tibet, from getting your spiritual fix with Lhasa’s myriad monasteries, to spiritual quests of a different kind as you set foot on Everest Base Camp. Trek the Himalayas in the footsteps of devout pilgrims, or explore further, into Bhutan, Nepal and across China, to discover the cultural differences and extraordinary landscapes that characterise this region of the earth.

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Things to do in Tibet

WHAT TO DO IN TIBET, & WHAT NOT TO

Visit Lhasa’s monasteries & palaces

At 3,490m, Lhasa is one of the highest cities on earth – but this has not deterred its inhabitants from constructing some of the world’s most astounding religious buildings here. The most famous of all is Potala Palace, the stunning former residence of the Dalai Lamas since the 7th century. Sat atop a hill in the middle of the city, this red and while palace dominates the landscape and its rammed earth walls contain over 1,000 rooms.

5km west of Lhasa, Drepung Monastery is the largest in Tibet; in its heyday it housed some 10,000 monks. Drepung was founded in 1416 and its name means “collecting rice” – a reference to the appearance of this sprawling white building from afar. There are grand entrances, colourful hallways, statues of Buddha and impressive woodcarvings. The second largest monastery in Tibet is Sera, built in 1419. Covering over 11 hectares, Sera lies in Lhasa’s northern suburbs and contains many statues, scriptures written in gold, and beautiful murals. You can join the monks’ debates from 3pm each Monday-Friday, in which they discuss Buddhist doctrines in order to reach deeper understanding. You might not comprehend a word – but the traditional spectacle is enlightening in itself. As if that wasn’t enough, Lhasa is also home to Norbulingka – the Dalai Lama’s summer palace, and Jolkhang – Tibet’s oldest and most sacred temple.

Marvel at Everest’s might

Tibet’s Everest Base Camp approaches the mountain from its north slope, and, unlike its Nepalese equivalent, this route is usually carried out in a vehicle – making it much more accessible, despite its 5,150m altitude. You’ll have sweeping views of Mount Everest from base camp, as well as from the nearby Rongbuk Monastery, founded in 1902. Rongbuk’s monks and nuns, and the meditation caves punctuating the surrounding cliff faces, somehow make this incredible encounter even more spiritual and stirring.

Trek the Himalayas

Nepal is not the be all and end all when it comes to Himalayan hikes; Tibet offers some extraordinary routes well beyond the reach – or even the imagination – of most trekkers. While this once forbidden nation is gradually luring more tourists, few make it beyond Lhasa and a few key monasteries – but trekking vacations ensure you explore far beyond. Trek around the base of Mount Kailash (6,741m), sacred to Buddhists, Hindus and Jains, and take in the extraordinary views of this prominent peak, which overlooks two lakes. If you have four weeks to spare, you can trek from Lhasa to Kashgar, an incredibly remote desert oasis on Tibet’s high plateau.

Many routes across Tibet are not so remote, of course – they are still used by pilgrims trekking to ancient monasteries tucked into Himalayan valleys and atop rocky peaks. Multi-day walks through beautiful scenery, staying at tiny herders’ camps and close to traditional villages, as you walk beside local pilgrims and monks, will bring you up close to Tibet’s magnificent landscapes and to the deep spirituality of its people, despite decades of oppression.

Combine countries

Two weeks in the Himalayas is enough to cross borders, exploring these three neighbouring countries: Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan, with shared cultures but very different backgrounds, politics and beliefs. Buddhist rituals, extraordinary palaces, temples and monasteries, “Gross National Happiness”, struggles for freedom and a constant backdrop of snowcapped peaks ensure that this type of vacation will be as enlightening as it is memorable.

Alternatively, take the train to Lhasa from Beijing, with a 32-hour stretch from Xi’an on the highest railway in the world – the “sky train” – introducing you to some of the Earth’s most dramatic landscapes outside your window. It’s also a great way to acclimatise gently!

Photo credits: [Visit Lhasa's monasteries & palaces: tommy@chau] [Marvel at Everest's might: Thomas Fuhrmann] [Trek the Himalayas: Greg Walters] [Combine with Nepal & Bhutan or China: Kyle Taylor]

Written by: Polly Humphris & Vicki Brown

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