Travel Guides
nothing lonely about the planet
Tibet (Xizang)
(China)
Sensory overload in a sweeping terrain - and some happening festivals too.
'Shangri La', 'the Rooftop of the World' - locked away in its Himalayan fortress, Tibet has long exercised a siren's hold on the imagination of the West. Tibetans are used to hardship, and despite the disastrous Chinese occupation, they have managed to keep their culture and humour alive.
At a Glance
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Getting Around: |
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Getting around Tibet can be difficult: the buses are often gasping their last while travelling by 4WD can be expensive. Trucks tend to charge the same inflated prices as buses, but the Chinese government discourages foreigners from hitching rides. 'Road safety' is little more than a slogan. Tibetans tend to rely on prayer to facilitate a safe arrival - you might consider doing the same once you see the conditions.
Bicycling is possible, but is not without its hazards: cyclists in Tibet have died from road accidents, hypothermia and pulmonary oedema. |
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Weather:
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Summer in Tibet is mild and, besides a few rainy days, quite pleasant. The low to mid 20°C (70-75°F) summer days give way to winter days that are not as cold as you might expect, still averaging around 7°C (44°F) during the day in January but plunging to around -10°C (14°F) at night.
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Content Source:
Lonely Planet
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