information about center Tibet

Why Go?
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.
When to Go?
Pilgrims converge on Tsurphu in May/June to take part in a festival of
cham dancing, religious devotion and bouts of Tibetan-style drinking
games. Festival season at Samye Monastery comes in June/July. Take
part in the party then trek over the mountains to Ganden Monastery.
Serene Lake Nam-tso comes alive in September for an annual horse
festival. It’s a good time to see horse racing and horse games before
the cold sets in.
What to See?
With most of its major sights relatively close to Lhasa, and the rich
culture of this region, Central Tibet draws the crowds. This is no reason
to avoid it. The Tibetans trace the very birth of their nation to the valleys
of the Yarlung and Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), in particular the
Monkey Cave above Tsetang. The nearby Yumbulagang Palace is
claimed as Tibet’s oldest building. Centuries later Guru Rinpoche
meditated at caves in Sheldak and Chimphu and battled demons on the
bank of the nearby Yarlung Tsangpo, before founding Tibet’s first
monastery at nearby Samye. It was from the Yarlung Valley that the
earliest Tibetan kings launched their 6th-century unification of the
plateau and it is in the nearby Chongye Valley that they lie buried.
It’s not all ancient history. With a gorgeous turquoise hue, Nam-tso, an
immense salt-water lake, is far and away the region’s most popular
natural attraction. The dramatic desert landscapes of the Yarlung
Tsangpo, Tibet’s most important river, are a surreal highlight.
Mysterious Lhamo La-tso, a hard-to-reach lake southeast of the capital,
is the only place where access remains a real challenge

See more at Tibet Travel

Money & Credit Card in Tibet

ATMs
Several ATMs in Lhasa and Shigatse accept foreign cards. The Bank of
China accepts Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express and
Plus. The Agricultural Bank accepts Visa, Plus and Electron. Check
before trying your card as many ATMs can only be used by domestic
account holders.
The maximum amount you can withdraw per transaction is Y2000 with
the Bank of China and Y1000 with the Agricultural Bank. Cards are
occasionally eaten, so try to make your transaction during bank hours.
Credit Cards
You’ll get very few opportunities to splurge on the plastic in Tibet, unless
you spend a few nights in a top-end hotel. Most local tours, train tickets
and even flights out of Lhasa still can’t be paid for using a credit card.
The few shops that do accept credit cards often charge a 4%
surcharge.
The Lhasa central branch of the Bank of China is the only place in Tibet
that provides credit card advances. A 3% commission is deducted.
Currency
The Chinese currency is known as Renminbi (RMB) or ‘people’s
money’. The basic unit of this currency is the yuan, and is designated in
this book by a ‘Y’. In spoken Chinese, the word kuai is almost always
substituted for the yuan. Ten jiao (commonly known as mao) make up
one yuan.
RMB comes in paper notes in denominations of one, two, five, 10, 20,
50 and 100 yuan; and one, two and five jiao. Coins are in
denominations of one yuan and five jiao. But please note that, coins are
not acceptable in Tibet even for tipping.
China has a problem with counterfeit notes. Very few Tibetans or
Chinese will accept a Y100 or Y50 note without first subjecting it to
intense scrutiny, and many will not accept old, tattered notes. Check the
watermark when receiving any Y100 note.
Exchanging Money
In Tibet, the only place to change foreign currency and travellers
cheques is the Bank of China. Top-end hotels in Lhasa have exchange
services but only for guests. Outside of Lhasa, the only other locations
to change money are in Shigatse, Zhangmu, Purang (cash only) and
Ali, and at the airport on arrival. If you are travelling upcountry, try to get
your cash in small denominations: Y100 and Y50 bills are sometimes
difficult to get rid of in rural Tibet.

info comes from Travel to Tibet

Why Travel to Tibet

Tibet, the Roof of the World, remained unknown to the world until the
beginning of the 20th century. The massive, snowy land has exerted an
awesome draw on travelers and adventurers ever since. Its majestic
scenery, mysterious and exotic religious culture, and wonderful people,
reward every tourist with an indelible life long memory!
Tibet shows many different faces: unique style life and lonely
landscapes, Tibetan Buddhism customs and culture, lovely lakes and
rough mountains. For cultural sightseeing, Lhasa is ceaselessly
thriving, and inevitably, it is the one place that features on every
traveler's itinerary. It is not only Tibet's biggest city and capital of the
Tibet Autonomous Region, but also the place where the world’s
attention are attracted to. Mount Everest is great for hiking in summer.
On the way up to Mount Everest we have Rongbuk Monastery, the
highest monastery in the world. If condition permits, tourists can even
see the sunrise at the monastery. Mount Kailash is considered as a
sacred place in four religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bön
faith. In Hindu religion, it is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva.

Sample the Taste – Eat in Lhasa

In Lhasa, you can also find other kinds of food besides Tibet food, including
Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Mongolian and even
western-style cuisine. Deji Road is the most popular dining place
among locals. Western and Tibetan style restaurants in Beijing Road and
the Barkhor Street are always crowded with visitors. Some big hotels
also serve Nepalese and Indian food.
All restaurants of various classes are decorated and furnished in the
traditional Tibetan style. Diners can enjoy delicious Tibetan dishes while
admiring paintings and murals symbolizing happiness and good luck in the
restaurants. High on the menu are such flavors as sausages, barley wine,
butter oil tea, beef and mutton eaten with the hands, yak tongue, steamed
buns, Tsampa made from highland barley, pastries, minced mutton and beef.

Local Restaurants
The best places for breakfast are probably the Dunya and Nam-tso
restaurants. All the eateries listed serve lunch and dinner, but you will struggle
to find a meal after about 9.30pm.
Most individual travellers eat in the Tibetan quarter around the Barkhor
Square area and there are plenty of great restaurants to try.

How to Exchanging Money in Tibet

In  Tibet,  the  only  place  to  change  foreign  currency  and  travellers
cheques  is  the  Bank  of  China.  Top-end  hotels  in  Lhasa  have
exchange services but only for guests. Outside of Lhasa, the only other
locations  to  change  money  are  in  Shigatse,  Zhangmu,  Purang  (cash
only) and Ali, and at the airport on arrival. If you are travelling upcountry,
try  to  get  your  cash  in  small  denominations:  Y100  and  Y50  bills  are
sometimes difficult to get rid of in rural Tibet.
The  currencies  of  Australia,  Canada,  the  US,  the  UK,  Hong
Kong, Japan, the euro zone and most of the rest of Western
Europe  are acceptable at the Lhasa Bank of China. The official rate  is
given at all banks and most hotels, so there is little need to shop around
for the best deal. The standard commission is 0.75%.
The  only  place  in  Tibet  to  officially  change  RMB  back  into  foreign
currency is the central Lhasa branch of the Bank of China. You will need
your original exchange receipts. You cannot change RMB into dollars at
Gongkar airport.
Moneychangers at Zhangmu (by the Nepal border) will change yuan into
Nepali  rupees  and  vice  versa.  Yuan  can  also  easily  be  reconverted  in
Hong Kong and, increasingly, in many Southeast Asian countries.

What is the best time and best way to see Mount Everest

Mt. Everest is reputed as the highest mountain in the world, but the height of this peak is decreasing day by day due to the global warming. The official height of the Everest is 8848.13 meters above sea level, but it is 8844.43 meters above sea level in 2005 according to the latest survey. Every year, lots of people from all over the world come here to visit this greatest mountain which belongs to the Himalayan ranges. The best time to travel to the Mt. Everest is from April to May and from September to November or we can say in spring and autumn. 

Some tourists say that the best way to see Mount Everest is to get a distant view of the Mt. Everest. Only when we stand far away can we get a clear idea that it is the highest one compared with the surrounding world’s highest peaks over 8,000m. While if we stand at the foot of the Mt. Everest, we cannot compare it with other mountains. 

While for the more adventurous individuals, the best way to see Mount Everest is to make the trek and hike to the Everest Base Camp and spend a camping night the EBC to enjoy different sights of the Mt. Everest, its sunrise, its sunset and its night sky. For mountaineering enthusiasts, the best way to see the Mt. Everest is to climb to the top of the peak.

Nechung Monastery

Only 10 minutes’ walk downhill from Drepung Monasdtery, Nechung is worth a visit for its historical role. Nechung Monastery, also known as the Oracle Monastery, served an important role in protecting high-ranking officials of Buddhism since the 12th century. It was the Seat of the State Oracle of Tibet. It is located a short 10 minute walk down from Drepung Monastery, and was the residence of the three-headed, six-armed deity Pehar, protector of the seat of the State Oracle. The Dalai Lama would not make any major decision or take any action without first consulting with the State Oracle at Nechung.

The position was considered that important. The housings served the Seat up until 1959 when the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India. The temple and monastery were completely devastated during the Cultural Revolution. Recent efforts have helped to largely restore it to its former condition. It now also contains a huge, newly struck statue of Guru Rinpoche and is home to only a handful of monks.

The best way to get to tibet

In the past years,how to get to Tibet is the biggest problem for tourists. But now tourists can go to Tibet by train via the Qinghai-Tibet railway, from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xining and Xi'an. Travelling to Tibet by train can be a wonderful experience of riding the world's highest altitude railway. The whole Tibet train journey is full of countless breathtaking sceneries. There are 45 stations along the 1972 km long Qinghai-Tibet railway from Xining to Lhasa and every station has unique scenery. To provide travellers better opportunity to enjoy the stunningly beautiful scenery on that way, scenery-viewing platforms have been set up at nine stations, which includes: Yuzhu Peak Station, Chumaer River,Tuotuo River, Buqiangge, Tanggula Mountain, Lake Namtso, Nagqu, Damshung, Yambajan. The train will stay for around 15 minutes in each station.


Therefore, it is difficult to say what is the best way to get to Tibet. When you get more time, why not go to Tibet by train to have an eyeful of the breathtaking scenery along the world's highest railway and get a lifetime experience of the engineering miracle regarded by Forbes. But being a busy guy, flying to Tibet within two hours is absolutely your best choice. While for those who enjoy to challenge themselves, it is a great chance to get to Tibet train by overland.

The history of Mount Everest

The history of Mount Everest

In 1921, the British first climbing team started to climb Mount Everest which is led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Howard Bury and reached an altitude of 7000 m. The second British climbing team reached an elevation of 8320 m with oxygen equipments. The third British team started its exploration in 1924. During the exploration, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappeared when they were climbing to the top of Mount Everest with oxygen supply. Mallory’s body was found at an altitude of 8150 m in the year of 1999. Because of the missing camera he carried, it can not determine whether he and Owen was the first person successful reached the top of Mount Everest.



There are more than 50 mountains at an elevation no less than 7000 meters in the Himalayan mountain range. "Himalaya" means the "snow village" in the Tibetan language where covered by snow all year-round. Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain located on the border between China and Nepal which is up to the height of 8844.43 meters.



Due to Mount Everest’s unique geographical environment, the annual minimum temperature is always from minus forty to thirty degrees. It provided a convenient condition of Tibet Everest expedition which has become a very important scenic spot in Tibet tourism. Mount Everest looks like a giant pyramid-shaped mountain, the snow line of North Slope at elevation of 5800-9200 meters and southern slope of 5500-6100 meters. There are 548 continental glaciers between ridges and cliffs with a total area of ​​1,457.07 square kilometers which mainly depends on the Indian monsoon rainfall.





People have noticed the value of Mount Everest for a long time. Chinese climbers and scientists reached the top of Mount Everest from the northern slope and creating the unprecedented mountaineering miracle in the history of world climbing in 1960. Chinese workers cooperated with climbers accurately measured Mount Everest’s height and draw a detailed map of the Everest region. All of these have a contribution to Chinese development and utilization of natural resources in the Tibetan plateau. According to these explorations, Mount Everest base camp tours have become more and more popular in recent years. People would like to have Mount Everest tours rather than to visit some normal scenic spots if they trip to Tibet.



It has become very popular among travelers to travel from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp in recent years. Tibettravel.Org, as a top online Tibet travel agency, has organized such a tour for thousands of foreign travelers since 2009. Its professional team with excellent trip advisors, knowledgeable tour guides and experienced drivers always makes travelers enjoy a memorable trip. For more information about it, please visit http://www.tibettravel.org/.

Tibetan antelopes' number is growing larger

Tibetan antelopes are very sensitive to the climate and the living environment. Therefore, the little change of their habitats and migratory paths prove that the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau remains the favorable home of wild animals, According to experts, the Tibetan antelope must maintain a population of 50,000 or they will degenerate.
 
A Tibetan antelope gallops at the foot of Hoh Xil Mountain in Golmud, northwest China's Qinghai Province. The number of Tibetan antelope has resumed to more than 300,000 thanks to better ecological environment and less armed poaching. And thanks to the protection of the government those year, the number of Tibetan antelopes is on rise.

A Tibetan antelope gallops at the foot of Hoh Xil Mountain in Golmud


Tibetan antelopes look for food at the foot of Hoh Xil Mountain in Golmud


Tibetan antelopes look for food at the foot of Hoh Xil Mountain in Golmud


A Tibetan antelope looks for food at the foot 


ibetan antelopes gallop at the foot of Hoh Xil Mountain in Golmud


A Tibetan antelope looks for food at the foot of Hoh Xil Mountain in Golmud


Tibetan antelopes gallop