What to Buy in Tibet

It is said that a trip to Tibet is never complete without a shopping spree.
Tibet has vast and rich variations of local arts and crafts. Tibetan
carpets, carvings, local snacks, as well as Buddhist items are available
for visitors. So it could be said that Tibet is a great place for shopping.
For visitors to Tibet, there are an uncountable number of specialties for
them to choose from.
What to Buy
Thangka: A thangka is a Tibetan scroll painting that has strong ties to
Buddhism and features distinctive ethnic flavor. They have been
popular in Tibet for centuries. Some Thangkas are charming portraits of
a Buddha, some are colorful representations of Tibetan customs, and
some are portraits of the history of Tibet. Thangka paintings can be
made using a wide variety of techniques: silk tapestry with cut designs,
hand painted, color printing, embroidery, brocade, and pearl inlayed.
Tibetan Crafts: Normally crafted from such raw materials as gold,
silver, copper, wood, bamboo, as well as bones, Tibetan crafts are not
only useful, but aesthetically pleasing. Tibetan silver crafts make great
souvenirs from Tibet. Tibetan silver ornaments make use of precious
stones like agate, rubies and sapphires, and are usually carved with
Sanskrit.
Tibetan Carpets and Textiles: Woven with bright and harmonious
colors, Tibetan carpets are durable and beautifully crafted. The hand
woven, Tibetan woolen Pulu cloth comes in many colors and is used for
making clothes, shoes, and caps. It is incredibly warm, as well as
beautiful.
Tibetan Knives: For Tibetan people, knives are not only a tool and a
weapon, but also an adornment. It is a time-honored traditional
handicraft that is an integral part of Tibetan's daily lives. This is
especially true of knives carried by Tibetan women that tend to be more
decorative and delicate. They are particularly famous for their intricately
designed silver sheaths.

Overland Adventure from Kashgar to Lhasa

> Tibet » Kashgar, Guge Kingdom, Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Mt. Everest, Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhasa
With at least two passes over 5400m, the Xining-Tibet Hwy is the highest road in the world. And this overland adventure from Kashgar to Lhasa will
shower you the best of the Tibet Plateau: Kashgar, ancient hub of the Silk Road, the lost Himalayan Kingdom of Guge, circumambulation of the sacred
Mountain of Kailash, herds of wild ass roam and eagles soar high above the immense landscape, and the mystical city of Lhasa. In a word, this tour
covers nearly all the fabulous attractions in Tibet, you can never miss this trip of a lifetime.

line"> < Duration: 14 Days
 Max Altitude: above 5,000 meters
 Customizable private tour with private guide & vehicle

Why should Travellers go to Center Tibet

It  is  Tibet’s  heartland  and  has  almost  all  the  landscapes  you’ll  find
across the plateau, from sand dunes and wide rivers to soaring peaks
and alpine forests. Due to its proximity to Lhasa, it is the first taste of
rural  Tibet  that most  visitors  experience,  and  exploring  the  region  on
foot is thebest way to appreciate its scenery - fine walking opportunities
abound,  from  day  hikes  to  overnight  treks.  It  is  also  the  traditional
power centre of Tibet, and home to its oldest buildings and most historic
monasteries.  A  thousand-year-old  temple  or  hilltop  fort  seems  to  lie
around every bend in the road. Some of its best-known destinations are
crowded in high season, so consider getting off the beaten path ꡃ there
are endless valleys along the Yarlung Tsangpo river to explore. Head
up one and you’ll feel like you have Tibet all to yourself.

what is Tsampa in Tibetan Food

Tsampa  (糌粑)  is  the  staple  food  in  Tibet.  Tibetan  people  eat  tsampa  at every meal and bring it as a ready-made food when traveling. Tsampa is a dough made with roasted barley flour and ghee (yak butter).There are 2 basic methods to make and eat tsampa. One is to make dough with  butter  tea.  The  other  is  to  make  porridge  with  beef  or  mutton,  and vegetables. The former one is salty while the latter is added with sugar to give it a sweet taste.
 

The most beautiful valley on earth: Gama Valley

Located at the downstream of PumQu in Tingri county and Dinggye county, this valley is 55km from east to west and 8km from south to north, covering an area of 440km². In this ecological various area, there are different types of forests, evergreen, half evergreen and other primeval forests. The most unusual type of forest is consisted with junipers, which cover a vast area of the virgin forest. Its ancient and majestic appearance makes you feel like travelling in ancient time. The wondrous Snow Mountains, wild flowers, wild animal.Tthere are waiting for you to discover. It is a true paradise for trekking. So if you like great scenic nature, why not just walk in it. But this place is no easy to arrive. The only transportation available is through yaks and horses. And this journey requires lots of energy and stamina, therefore if you decide to go there you need to have proper preparation both physically and mentally.

what is the Tibet insurance

Our contract with you includes a Personal Travel Accident Insurance(in Chinese旅游意外伤害保险) bought from Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. When the agreed insurance accident happens according to the insurance contract, Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. will compensate for your corresponding loss; but the exact compensation amount and proportion cannot be ascertained before ratification by the according staff of the insurance company. CITS only takes charge of assistance with the insurance company to research, compensate and supervise whether the compensation is properly issued or not, instead of any other responsibility and compensation except those stated in the insurance contract with the insurance company. Any controversy can only resort to the Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China and relevant laws.

Age of the Insured	Days of the Tour	Insurance for Accidental Disability or Death	Medical Insurance	Insurance for Remains  Repatriation	Insurance for Death Caused by Acute Disease
Over sixteen years old	Not more than 30 days	RMB 250,000 yuan	RMB 25,000 yuan	RMB 25,000 yuan	RMB 5,000 yuan
Under sixteen  years old,  including sixteen	Not more than 30 days	RMB 50,000 yuan	RMB 25,000 yuan	RMB 25,000 yuan	RMB 5,000 yuan

Note: The right to interpret is reserved by Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd.   

Customised Tibet Tours Offered By Tibet Vista in 2014

Tibet Vista, a Lhasa-based tour company, is now promoting tailor-made tours to Tibet.

“Apart from more than 30 pre-designed package trips, which are the result of recommendations from our previous clients, we specially design tailor-made tours to meet our clients’ requirements,”Tibet Vista have said.

The highest region on Earth, Tibet has an average altitude of 4,900 metres and some of the world’s tallest mountains, including Mount Everest, on the border with Nepal. The region is also the source of some of the world’s major rivers, including the Yangtze, the Yellow River, the Indus, the Mekong and the Ganges.

All of Tibet Vista’s staff are local Tibetans with many years of travelling experience. Many have received training in ecotourism organized by the Tibetan Village Project and sponsored by Columbia University.

“Through years of specializing in Tibet, knowledge of our customers’ requirements and preferences, as well as understanding the Tibetan culture, a tailor-made tour is one of our priorities,” Tibet Vista have said. “We are determined to discover new, enriching trips, despite strict restrictions caused by political upheaval and natural mishaps.”

Tibet Vista is a locally-owned Tibet travel agency committed to responsible tourism, Tibetan travel permit and sustainable practice.

10 Tips for Your Tibet travel

For first-time visitors to Tibet, a hot tourist destination with high altitude and harsh environment, they are suggested to make a great preparation by following these tips.

travel in Tibet

 
1. Seek advice from a doctor before going to Tibet if you have heart issues.
 
A thorough physical examination is necessary before going to Tibet, which has an average elevation of over 4,000 meters. Generally, people who have problems like anemia, hypertension, heart issues or other illnesses in the lungs, liver or kidney are not advised to travel to Tibet. Travelers can also prepare some medicine according to their doctor's advice.
 
2. Make sure the documents needed are prepared ahead of the trip
 
For foreign tourists who want to travel to Tibet, two documents are needed before departure: the Chinese Visa, which you can apply for in the Chinese Embassy in your country and the Tibet Travel Permits (TTP), which you have to obtain in advance in order to enter Tibet smoothly.
 
3. Enjoy a train ride on Qinghai-Tibet Railway at least once.
 
Tourists who travel to Tibet for the first time are highly recommended to take a train to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and other cities linking by the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, a world-wide known not only because it is the highest railway in the world, but also because it is a man-made world wonder and an engineering miracle. Many world-class challenges were solved during its construction, like fragile ecosystem, lack of oxygen and permafrost. Moreover, the scenery along the route is breathtaking.
 
4. Choose a comfortable hotel in Tibet.
 
Travelers usually need to have a good rest to acclimatize to the high altitude of Tibet. A hotel with good facilities and services will make them comfortable. In addition, the temperature at night often drops rapidly to below zero in Tibet, even in summer. Cheap hostels or guesthouses do not offer heating or air conditioning. Thus, it is best to stay in a good hotel.
 
5. Spend two or three days in Lhasa for acclimation.
 
Located at 3,650 meters above sea level, Lhasa is a relatively lower place. It is the first destination for most travelers. After arriving in Lhasa, travelers should spend at least two days for acclimatizing the high altitude before moving on to other places.
 
6. Do not make a tight schedule.
 
Since most areas of Tibet are over 4,000 meters above sea level, travelers should go slowly from one place to another, especially from a lower place to a higher one, for example, travel from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp. It is important to spend enough time to gradually acclimate the high altitude.
 
7. Go to a regular hospital or registered clinic when getting ill.
 
There are regular hospitals with basic facilities in major cities and towns of Tibet, like Lhasa and Shigatze. But in remote areas, only simple clinics are available. Some of them are non-registered. Travelers who fall sick in Tibet should seek appropriate medical care in a regular hospital or registered clinic.
 
8. Seniors are recommended to start their trip from Nyingchi.
 
With an average elevation of 3,100 meters, Nyingchi is the lowest area of Tibet and home to huge well-preserved forests. It is regarded as the "Switzerland of Tibet" thanks to the humid and mild climate, charming scenery and rich natural resources. The oxygen content in this area is also very high, so it is a great place for seniors to acclimatize the high altitude of Tibet before visiting higher places.
 
9. Do not stay overnight at a place higher than 5,000 meters.
 
High altitude sickness easily attacks at an elevation over 5,000 meters above sea level, where it is usually difficult to find a hospital. It may take a couple of hours or more than half a day to get to a simple clinic unless you are staying in a big town or city.
 
10. Confirm the tour itinerary at least 15 days before going to Tibet.
 
When applying for Tibet Permit, travelers are required to provide information about when and where they will travel in Tibet, even how to get to Tibet. All the information will be stated on the permit after being approved by the local government.
 
Generally, it is a little expensive to do a private tour in Tibet, but the tour cost can be reduced as much as 50% by joining in a tour group. If travelers book a tour from Tibet Travel Org and join in a group with more than three persons, they will enjoy extra discounts.