Unique Tibetan Burial Customs

When speaking about Tibetan funeral customs, sky burial would enter the mind when we take out because sky burial is a most classy terraces ritual for individuals outside Tibet. Most tourist are concerned about the sky burial if travel to Tibet. The truth is, other forms of funeral ways are practiced inside Tibet, such as inhumation, cremation, waters burial, pine burial, stupa burial, cliff burial, stone coffin burial and multi-person burial, etc,.

 

Inhumation

 

Inhumation is a earliest funeral practice inside Tibet. In medieval times, inhumation prevailed inside remote instances of Tibet along with took the ruling position through Tubo Kingdom interval. It have evolved to be able to its summit and turn out to be the noblest funeral practice if the Tubo Kingdom ended up being also fully flourish. Nowadays, we can certainly still discover some amazing royal tombs connected with Tibet Nobleman and royalties. Should you be interesting inside Tibetan inhumation, you may make a Tibet journey to be able to Qonggyai of Shannan Prefecture to go to the Tombs connected with Tibetan Nobleman.

 

However along with decline from the Tubo Kingdom, inhumation will be gradually taken like a humble burial way primarily for dead of infectious disease and also accident or to the outlanders, who're considered because impure instead of qualified intended for celestial burial or waters burial.

 

Sky Burial

 

Inside Tibetan Buddhism, it will be believed that will sky burial or celestial burial represents their particular wishes to go to heaven. It is a most wide-spread way intended for commoners to cope with the dead in Tibet. Should you make the Lhasa journey ingesting Drigung Til Monastery, you will possess a likelihood a observe the sky burial website there.

 

When a Tibetan dead, the corpse will be wrapped inside white Tibetan pads and used in a corner from the house intended for three and also five days and nights, during which often monks and also lamas are generally asked to be able to read the scripture aloud in order that the souls may be released through purgatory.

 

The body is carried to the burial site on the lucky daytime. Meanwhile a large number of cypress branches is going to be burned to make smoke to be able to attract condors to be able to eat the body. If the vultures occur and eat the body, it implies that the dead has zero sin thinking that his/her soul has gone peacefully to the Paradise intended for Tibetans believe the condors on the mountains across the celestial burial platform are generally "holy birds" along with only eat the skin without attacking any tiny animals neighborhood. Any continues to be left from the holy birds have to be collected "up" and burnt protected Lamas chant sutras to be able to redeem the sins from the dead, because the remains would certainly tie the spirits to the present life.

 

Many tourists creating a tour to Tibet should watch the procedure of the sky burial. But they aren't allowed to undertake it since strangers are not allowed to attend the ceremony for Tibetans believe it is going to bring negative efforts to the ascending from the souls. So prospects should respect this tailor made and stay clear of such occasions. But holidaymakers can look at a sky burial during Langmusi on the border connected with Gansu along with Sichuan as long as they make the Amdo Tibet Journey.

 

Waters Burial

 

Water burial is known as the derivative from the sky burial in Tibet. Its location is two-fold inside different instances of Tibet. Celestial burial prevails inside central Tibet along with water burial is thus only for the inadequate people in such an area.

 

On the other hand, in the marginal instances of Tibet, especially on the deep valleys inside Southern Tibet where you can find few vultures out there, water burial becomes the chief way to the local persons. They will not think connected with it to be inferior to be able to celestial burial, since both equally are intended for dedication to the deities, whether from the air and also under waters. Thus, people there will not eat perch. Do respect their custom if you do the Tibet travel to the present area.

 

Stupa Burial

 

Stupa burial is a holiest funeral practice inside Tibet. Only awesome Living Buddhas and hardly any noblemen may be qualified. Stupa is a Tibetan Buddhist on secular monument plus a sacred burial site. Its reserved intended for Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama and also the Existing Buddha. If they pass at a distance, their physiques will go through antiseptic therapy, mummification and also preservation, and reside inside the yellow metal or silver stupa intended for worship. If you travel to Tibet, you will notice many stupas inside monasteries connected with Tibet.

 

Pine Burial

 

Tree burial prevails inside Nyingchi Prefecture and is particularly mainly trained for aborted babies. The process could be to clean the body with salt solution, then place it right into a wooden crate, cask and also bamboo container, and hold it to be able to forested community north-facing on the mountain, and hang on the great pine, so other children from the family will reduce being in pain again.

 

Cliff Burial

 

Cliff burial is mainly practiced inside southern Tibet. When a person dead, the body is going to be coated along with ghee and also milk, along with treated along with salts along with perfume, and sealed in a small cube-shaped fire wood crate. The burial site is frequently selected inside places miles away from individual habitation, especially from the cliffs ranking aside connected with torrential canal valleys. Creating a Tibet hiking tour, you can find a possibility to find the cliff burial site inside remote areas off main highway.

 

The Tibetan funeral customs were greatly affected by Tibetan Buddhism, Bon Religion as well as the nonparallel healthy and cultural environment.

Interesting Tibetan Burial Customs

When dealing with Tibetan funeral obituary customs, sky funeral would come into the mind for most of us because sky burial will be the most interesting ritual if anyone else is outside Tibet. Most vacationers are inquisitive about the atmosphere burial whenever travel to Tibet. In actual fact, other sorts of funeral ways are also practiced within Tibet, which includes inhumation, cremation, mineral water burial, hardwood burial, stupa funeral, cliff funeral, stone coffin funeral and multi-person funeral, etc.

 

Inhumation

 

Inhumation will be the earliest funeral obituary practice within Tibet. In ancient times, inhumation prevailed within remote regions of Tibet in addition to take that ruling position in the Tubo Kingdom period. It experienced evolved to its maximum and become the noblest funeral obituary practice once the Tubo Kingdom appeared to be also completely flourished. Right now, we may still get some spectacular royal tombs regarding Tibet Kings and royalties. If you're interesting within Tibetan inhumation, you can make a Tibet vacation to Qonggyai State of Shannan Prefecture to visit the Tombs regarding Tibetan Kings.

 

However by using decline in the Tubo Kingdom, inhumation is actually gradually taken to be a humble funeral way mainly for useless of transmittable disease as well as accident or for any outlanders, that are considered since impure without qualified with regard to celestial funeral or mineral water burial.

 

Atmosphere Burial

 

Within Tibetan Buddhism, it is actually believed which sky funeral or celestial funeral represents its wishes to visit heaven. It will be the most frequent way with regard to commoners to face the useless in Tibet. In case you make any Lhasa vacation with Drigung Til Monastery, you should have a possibility a notice the atmosphere burial web page there.

 

Whenever a Tibetan drops dead, the corpse is actually wrapped within white Tibetan towel and put into a corner in the house with regard to three as well as five nights, during which monks as well as lamas tend to be asked to read that scripture aloud so the souls might be released from purgatory.

 

One's body is carried into the burial site for a lucky morning. Meanwhile a good number of cypress branches shall be burned to create smoke to attract condors to eat one's body. If that vultures take place and eat one's body, it shows that the useless has absolutely no sin which his/her soul went peacefully into the Paradise with regard to Tibetans believe that the condors to the mountains round the celestial funeral platform tend to be "holy birds" in addition to only eat the body without approaching any compact animals in close proximity. Any is still left because of the holy birds needs to be collected up and burnt as you move Lamas chant sutras to redeem that sins in the dead, because of the remains would tie that spirits to that life.

 

Many tourists doing tour to Tibet may choose to watch doing this of any sky funeral. But it isn't allowed to perform it due to the fact strangers usually are not allowed to go to the service for Tibetans believe it will eventually bring unfavorable efforts into the ascending in the souls. So website visitors should esteem this custom made and stay away from such situations. But vacationers can watch a atmosphere burial from Langmusi to the border regarding Gansu in addition to Sichuan should they make a good Amdo Tibet Vacation.

 

Mineral water Burial

 

Water burial is considered as any derivative in the sky funeral in Tibet. Its place is two-fold within different regions of Tibet. Celestial funeral prevails within central Tibet in addition to water funeral is thus limited to the very poor people within this area.

 

Alternatively, in marginal regions of Tibet, especially in the deep valleys within Southern Tibet where you will discover few vultures accessible, water funeral becomes the principle way for any local men and women. They usually do not think regarding it as being inferior to celestial funeral, since together are with regard to dedication into the deities, whether in the air as well as under mineral water. Thus, people there usually do not eat sea food. Do esteem their custom once you do any Tibet vacation to that area.

 

Stupa Funeral

 

Stupa burial will be the holiest funeral obituary practice within Tibet. Only grand Living Buddhas and very few noblemen might be qualified. Stupa is often a Tibetan Buddhist religious monument and a sacred funeral site. It really is reserved with regard to Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama as well as the Living Buddha. Every time they pass out, their body frames will follow antiseptic treatment, mummification as well as preservation, after which you can reside within the platinum or magic stupa with regard to worship. Once you travel to Tibet, notice many stupas within monasteries regarding Tibet.

 

Hardwood Burial

 

Tree funeral prevails within Nyingchi Prefecture which is mainly used for aborted youngsters. The process should be to clean one's body with sodium solution, then spot it into a wooden dog house, cask as well as bamboo basket, and carry it to forested spot north-facing to the mountain, and hang for a great hardwood, so another children in the family will get rid being injured again.

 

Cliff Funeral

 

Cliff burial is especially practiced within southern Tibet. Whenever a person drops dead, the body shall be coated by using ghee as well as milk, in addition to treated by using salts in addition to perfume, after which you can sealed in the small cube-shaped timber crate. The funeral site is normally selected within places far away from human habitation, especially in the cliffs place aside regarding torrential pond valleys. Make Tibet trekking tour, you obtain a possibility to find any cliff funeral site within remote areas.

 

The Tibetan funeral obituary customs are actually greatly inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, Bon Religion and also the nonparallel organic and ethnical environment.

Various Tibetan Funeral Ways

When referring to Tibetan funeral service customs, sky funeral would enter into the mind for anyone because mist burial may be the most mysterious ritual if anyone is outside Tibet. Most visitors are curious about the exotic sky burial way when travelling in Tibet. Actually, other varieties of funeral ways may also be practiced around Tibet, as well as inhumation, cremation, water burial, woods burial, stupa funeral, cliff funeral, stone coffin funeral and multi-person funeral, etc.

 

Inhumation

 

Inhumation may be the earliest funeral service practice around Tibet. In olden days, inhumation prevailed around remote areas of Tibet and took your ruling position during the Tubo Kingdom span. It possessed evolved at its top and come to be the noblest funeral service practice should the Tubo Kingdom has been also 100 % flourish. These days, we could still locate some brilliant royal tombs associated with Tibet Kings and royalties. In case you are interesting around Tibetan inhumation, you possibly can make a Tibet trip to Qonggyai Region of Shannan Prefecture to arrive at the Tombs associated with Tibetan Kings.

 

However having decline on the Tubo Kingdom, inhumation is definitely gradually taken for a humble funeral way mostly for expended of contagious disease or perhaps accident or for your outlanders, who will be considered as impure but not qualified to get celestial funeral or h2o burial.

 

Mist Burial

 

Around Tibetan Buddhism, it is definitely believed of which sky funeral or celestial funeral represents his or her wishes to visit to heaven. It may be the most popular way to get commoners deal with the expended in Tibet. In the event you make a Lhasa trip having Drigung Til Monastery, you'll possess a chance a discover the mist burial internet site there.

 

Every time a Tibetan dies, the corpse is definitely wrapped around white Tibetan fabric and turned to a corner on the house to get three or perhaps five days to weeks, during which usually monks or perhaps lamas are usually asked to read your scripture aloud to ensure the souls could be released via purgatory.

 

The dead is carried on the burial site using a lucky day time. Meanwhile plenty of cypress branches will be burned for making smoke in order to attract condors to eat our bodies. If your vultures arrive and eat our bodies, it ensures that the expended has no sin and that his/her soul went peacefully on the Paradise to get Tibetans feel that the condors within the mountains about the celestial funeral platform are usually "holy birds" and only eat the human body without targeting any smaller animals regional. Any stays left by holy birds should be collected way up and burnt as you move the Lamas chant sutras in order to redeem your sins on the dead, for the reason that remains could tie your spirits to this life.

 

Many tourists setting up a tour in Tibet could watch accomplishing this of a sky funeral. But they are not allowed to accomplish it for the reason that strangers aren't allowed to go to the wedding ceremony for Tibetans believe it'll bring detrimental efforts on the ascending on the souls. So visitors should adhere to this personalized and prevent such events. But visitors can observe a mist burial on Langmusi within the border associated with Gansu and Sichuan if they make an Amdo Tibet Trip.

 

H2o Burial

 

Water burial is known as a derivative on the sky funeral in Tibet. Its placement is two-fold around different areas of Tibet. Celestial funeral prevails around central Tibet and water funeral is thus just for the weak people in this area.

 

Conversely, in your marginal areas of Tibet, especially at the deep valleys around Southern Tibet where you'll find few vultures obtainable, water funeral becomes the primary way for your local folks. They do not think associated with it as being inferior in celestial funeral, since both are to get dedication on the deities, whether inside air or perhaps under h2o. Thus, people there do not eat species of fish. Do adhere to their custom after you do a Tibet trip to this area.

 

Stupa Funeral

 

Stupa burial may be the holiest funeral service practice around Tibet. Only lavish Living Buddhas and few noblemen could be qualified. Stupa is really a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual monument as well as a sacred funeral site. It can be reserved to get Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama or perhaps the Residing Buddha. Whenever they pass absent, their bodies will carry out antiseptic medication, mummification or perhaps preservation, then reside on the inside of the gold or metalic stupa to get worship. After you travel in Tibet, you will observe many stupas around monasteries associated with Tibet.

 

Woods Burial

 

Tree funeral prevails around Nyingchi Prefecture and it is mainly applied for aborted children. The process is usually to clean our bodies with sodium solution, then location it in to a wooden fabric, cask or perhaps bamboo gift basket, and take it in forested place north-facing within the mountain, and hang using a great woods, so additional children on the family will be free from being wounded again.

 

Cliff Funeral

 

Cliff burial is principally practiced around southern Tibet. Every time a person dies, the body will be coated having ghee or perhaps milk, and treated having salts and perfume, then sealed within a small cube-shaped wood made crate. The funeral site is generally selected around places a long way away from our habitation, especially inside cliffs standing aside associated with torrential lake valleys. Setting up a Tibet trekking tour, you can receive a possible opportunity to find a cliff funeral site around remote areas from the main path.

 

The Tibetan funeral service customs happen to be greatly stimulated by Tibetan Buddhism, Bon Religion along with the nonparallel natural and national environment.

How to plan a Tibet trekking tour

With the modernization of major cities of Tibet, travelers to Tibet cannot find original Tibetan taste. Many Tibetan people in cities live a modern life, wearing fashion clothes, using latest new mobiles. What you see is just out of your expectation. But making a Tibet trek to remote areas of Tibet, you will find the traditional Tibetan style. But you may ask how to plan a Tibet trekking tour? Just follow Tibettravel org, you will get a perfect answer.

 

Where to Go

 

The inaccessibility of many areas of Tibet offers lots of chance for travelers to do a trek in Tibet. Trekking from one holy site to another one or just around a sacred mount or lake in Tibet is the most popular trekking way in Tibet, for instance, trekking from Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery or from Tsurphu Monastery to Yangpachen Monastery, or trekking around holy Mt. Kailash.

 

Generally, Tibet trekking can be classified into Tibet pilgrimage trek, Tibet culture trekking and sightseeing trek, but most Tibet treks combine the three types together. During trekking in Tibet, you can visit sacred monasteries and other holy sites, view fabulous landscape of Tibet, drop a visit to a traditional Tibetan village, etc. 

 

When to go 

 

Tibet trekking is not feasible from December to March as the temperature goes very low and also the days become much shorter. During the snowfall not only the mountains are inaccessible but the highways that take you to the trail heads are blocked. Generally from April to October, the best time to travel to Tibet, is also great time to trekking in Tibet. Rain is not a problem for trekking in Tibet as it receives only little rain being in a rain shadow zone behind the Himalayas. Rather rainy season is the best time for trek, as the weather is mild and the ground in mountain valleys turn green and alpine flowers bloom in profusion.  

 

Tibet Permits

 

Depending on the area you hope to visit in Tibet, you may need as many as four different permits. Of course, Chinese visa is the first permit you should apply for. Then, Tibet Entry Permit issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau is a must for foreign travelers to travel to Tibet. Besides, Alien’s travel permit is required if you visit places outside Lhasa and military permit is needed for visiting militarily restricted areas of Tibet. These Tibet permits cannot cost you too much and are easy to get thanks for the new policy on Tibet travel permit 2013.   

 

Equipment for Tibet trekking

 

A trekking tour in Tibet is usually made at areas far away from main road and lack of tourist infrastructure, so you at least need a tent, a sleeping bag, and a stove to stay warm and well fed. All of these things can be purchased or rented in Lhasa, though quality may vary. White gas for western liquid fuel stoves is not available in Lhasa, though pressurized fuel canisters for canister stoves are found everywhere. Owners of multi-fuel stoves capable of burning regular unleaded will find gas stations in Lhasa. Ration 4-6 ounces of liquid fuel per person, per trekking day.

 

Besides, warm clothing and a good pair of shoes are essential for a Tibet tour, and can be purchased in Lhasa, but the price is usually a little high at the tourist city. It is best to buy clothes and shoes in your hometown or big cities of mainland China. Waterproof, high-top hiking boots are better suited than ventilated low-top trekking shoes to the snow covered high mountain passes common on Tibetan trekking routes. Gaiters, knee high canvas leggings that attach to your boots, are extremely useful if snow gets above the ankle level.

 

Food for trekking in Tibet

 

Usually, there are no restaurants or shops on the trekking route. So you need to prepare food by yourself or hire a cook to prepare food for you. It is a good idea to bring enough food for your entire trekking tour. Though western style dehydrated "backpacker meals" are not available in Tibet, a wide variety of non-perishable foods at the local supermarkets makes it easy to eat well on your trek. Hot chocolate, dehydrated fruits, candy bars, and instant noodles make good staples. If your Tibet tour is long, it is best to hire a cook to cook food for you.  

 

Drinking-water for Tibet trek

 

Drinking large amounts of water is the most important key to beating the altitude. Tibet's backcountry is full of grazing yak, sheep, and goats so stream water must be treated before drinking. Lodine, chlorine, and mechanical filters are all good treatment options. Western filters cost a fortune in Lhasa, iodine isn't available anywhere in China or Tibet, and Chlorine tablets were in stock in limited quantities in Lhasa. Boiling water is effective, but Tibet's high altitude puts the boiling point lower. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least a minute before drinking.

 

Water from locals is a good way to fill water bottles when passing through small villages. Though they may not have much if anything to offer in the way of food, every family keeps a large thermos of boiled water on hand. Just be sure you know what you're getting before pouring, or you may end up with a water bottle full of yak butter tea.

 

Altitude Sickness

 

Altitude and the related effects of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) should be taken seriously if you travel to Tibet. If ignored, AMS can progress into High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), both of which can be fatal. Before starting your trekking tour in Tibet, you should give yourself a few days to acclimatize. During trekking, move slowly and try not to sleep at the day's highest elevation. Most importantly descend to lower elevation immediately if any of your companions seem to act drunk, complain of a headache that is not relieved by ibuprofen, or become nauseous and vomit. 

 

Hiring a Pack Animal

 

It is very hard to walk at high altitude with a heavy backpack. It is wise to hire a pack animal, usually a yak. Yaks can be rented in villages of almost any size, and can make a trek more enjoyable by taking weight off of your back. Yaks come with yak men to herd, handle, and feed them and some yak men can speak a little English. 

 

Distinctive Tibetan Drinks

For westerners, coffee, juice and wine made from grape are the common drinks; for Chinese, green/black tea and wine made from wheat, rice, corn, broomcorn and soybean are the common drink; but Tibetans enjoy their distinctive Tibetan drinks, such as butter tea, yak milk and barley wine. If you travel to Tibet, just have of taste of the different Tibetan drinks.

 

Butter Tea

 

Buttered tea is the daily drink for Tibetan people just like coffee for westerners. It is said that the relationship between Tibetan tea and Tibetan people are like that between fish and water.

 

In fact, there are different kinds of Tibetan tea, butter tea, sweet tea and pure tea. But butter tea is the most popular tea in Tibet. Butter tea is a beverage in Tibet with abundant nourishment. At the fastigium of the world, no matter you are sharp-set or foredone, as soon as you drink a cup of the Tibetan butter tea, you will get back power all over and become energetic in the turn of a hand. In winter, after you dinked the butter tea, you will feel warm from heat to foot.

 

Some people even said, the Tibetan butter tea can cure the ill body. Though it is exaggerate, it embodies the wonderful function of the tea. If you make a Lhasa tour, you can find many tea houses offering butter tea along the streets of Lhasa. A cup of butter tea only costs 0.6 Yuan. It is very cheap.

 

Yak Milk

 

If you travel to Tibet, you will find long-haired bovine throughout Tibet. There are both wild and domesticated yaks in Tibet. Of course, the yak milk is from the domesticated yaks.

 

Domesticated yaks have been kept for thousands of years, primarily for their milk, fibre and meat, and as beasts of burden. Their dried dropping is important fuel, used all over Tibet, and is often the only fuel available on the high treeless Tibetan Plateau. As one of the most important products in Tibet, milk products are famous for fresh. The most popular milk products are yogurt and milk sediments. The best time to enjoy Tibetan yogurt is to make a Tibet tour during annual Shoton Festival which will fall on Aug. 26, 2013.  

 

Beside, milk is always processed into a cheese called chhurpi in Tibetan. Butter made of Yak's milk is an ingredient of the butter tea that Tibetans consume in large quantities, and is also used in lamps and made into butter sculptures used in religious festivities.

 

Barley Wine

 

Highland barley is the main crop on the Tibetan plateau. Wine made from barley is called barley wine or Chang in Tibetan language.

 

Barley wine is brewaged by zymolytic highland barley. The barley wine with low degree is popular among Tibetan people, the young and the old, the female and the male. It is a kind of necessary drink at festivals, marriage feats and other important occasions. Before festivals, Tibetan people will brewage plentiful of barley wine.

 

The barley wine is as well a nice product for entertaining guests. If you travel to Tibet and pay a visit to Tibetan family, you will surely be treated with barley wine.

An impressive trip to Tibet by Beijing-Lhasa Train

We heard that the best way for first-time travelers to Tibet was taking a train to Tibet for it can help travelers acclimate the altitude of Tibet gradually. But we realized it was a great mistake after we sought proof from a friend who had ever taken a train to Lhasa. He said it was just like travelling at a low altitude when staying on the train to Tibet. Anyway, the breathtaking scenery along the way and the world’s highest railway also attracted us to choose the Beijing-Lhasa train.

 

We booked the train tickets 10 days before travelling to Tibet. The train from Beijing to Lhasa arrived at Xining in late afternoon of the second day. From Xining, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, our Tibet train journey actually started. Oxygen was supplied from Xining.

 

When the train ran through the Hoh Xil, we saw gazelles, wild yaks and Tibetan kyang, but we were not lucky enough to have a glance of elegant Tibetan antelope. It did not matter because our Tibet train trip was full of surprises. Especially when the train ran by the beautiful Cuona Lake, we were deeply shocked. It was just located by the railway.  

 

The Beijing to Lhasa train ran over 40 hours to Lhasa. After we reached Lhasa, we realized that it was really wise for us to take shower before boarding the train to Tibet. In addition, we were advised not to take a shower on our first day in Tibet for taking a shower may cause a bad cold which was not helpful for us to acclimating the altitude and environment of Tibet.  

 

Not everyone to Tibet suffers from altitude sickness. But it is best to follow the advice from local tour guide. Generally, travelers can take Rhodiola rosea 10 days before starting to Tibet. After arriving in Tibet, drinking some butter tea is also helpful for reducing the impact of the high altitude. 

 

If you stay at a high-end hotel with good shower facility, taking a shower actually can help you relieve from tiredness. But do keep warm. 

 

After arriving in Lhasa, we transferred to our hotel for a little rest and then went out for dinner. For curiousness about authentic Tibetan food, we found a Tibetan restaurant. We ordered some butter tea, Tibetan Tomato Bun and Yak meat. The Tibetan food was great and very cheap.

 

I felt a little headache after dinner. Maybe I was a little tired or the altitude began working on me. So I had to go back to the hotel for a good rest and prepare for our coming Lhasa tour.  

 

The next morning, we got up very early to visit the Barkhor Street which is the representative and symbol of the ancient city of Lhasa. Though we got there very early, there were already many pilgrims doing ritual walk along the street. Most of them walk along the Barkhor Street with the prayer wheels while turning prayer wheel and murmuring some words in Tibetan language, but some of them even prostrate along the street. We were impressed and touched by the scene.

 

Then we paid a visit to Sera Monastery in the afternoon. The Buddhist Scripture Debating among monks is the most attractive part of the monastery. Though we couldn’t understand what they said, the atmosphere was very interesting. They used various gestures during the debating.

 

Then we made a Tibet Nepal Tour via the Friendship Highway. On the way, we also made a detour to the Everest Base Camp.

 

Saga Dawa Festival Tour, the Top Tibet Pilgrimage Tour 2013

If you are feeling lost in your life, make a spiritual tour to Tibet and find yourself, find your dream, find your life. A Saga Dawa Festival Tour, the top Tibet Pilgrimage Tour in 2013, is highly recommended. 

 

In my high school, a friend told me that Lhasa was a must-visit place in his life and that it should be his last trip in his life. However, he travelled to Tibet after he was graduated from university for he felt lost in the competition of society. He said it was an amazing tour changing his life. When he saw how the devout Tibetan pilgrims kept faith to their belief no matter how hard it was, he realized that he must keep faith to his dream.

 

It is best to travel to Tibet during Saga Dawa Festival which is the best time to observe Tibetan pilgrims. The Saga Dawa Festival is the most significant event of the year for Tibetan Buddhists as three of the most essential events in Buddha’s life (birth, enlightenment and passing into Parinirvana) took place on the full moon day of the 4th lunar month in Tibetan calendar.

 

This month is regarded as the holiest time of the year. It is also known as ‘bum gyur dawa’ in Tibetan, meaning (the month which multiplies by 100000 whatever wholesome or unwholesome action is performed during this month has a 100000 times stronger effect than at other times). Therefore, thousands of Tibetans make a Lhasa tour to do ritual walks and ceremonies during the Saga Dawa Festival.

 

During the whole month Buddhists have celebrations and pay homage for Buddha Shakyamuni. Most auspicious ceremonies are also held in Holy Mountain Kailash region in Tibet as it’s believed that on Saga Dawa day Buddha Shakyamuni is coming from the heaven to the top of Kailash and people get blessed. People put auspicious huge prayer flag known as Darpo Che performing religious ceremonies.

 

The Saga Dawa Festival in 2013 will fall on May 25^th. Since there is lots of preparation work for a Tibet tour, it is time for you to get started now, applying for Chinese Visa and then Tibet Permits, booking air/train tickets, hotels, etc. 

 

As too many travelers and pilgrims travel to Lhasa during the Saga Dawa Festival, the hotels and air/train tickets are in great demand. In addition, taking Tibet train to Lhasa is a popular way to Tibet. It usually takes two days to Lhasa from mainland China, so soft sleeper berth is at greatest demand. Early booking is highly recommended.

 

As for the permits, if you just want to make a Lhasa tour, a Tibet entry permit is enough, but if you want to make a Kailash tour, Alien’s travel permit and military permit are also needed except the Tibet entry permit. Actually, it is not necessary to worry about the Tibet permits as the policy on Tibet travel permit 2013 makes it is quite easy for foreigners to get Tibet permits. 

Unique Traditional Tibetan Foods

The distinctive environment of Tibet produces unique traditional Tibetan foods that can only be tasted in Tibet. It is said that you have never been to Tibet if you haven't ever tasted Tibetan food. Tourists to Tibet will firstly check the unique Tibetan food when travel to Tibet.

 

Tibetan main foods are Tsampa (Zan Ba), pea, horsebean, milk sediments, meats and milk products. Tibetan like eat air-dry beef, mutton. The major drinks in Tibet (Lhasa) are ghee tea, pure tea, sweet tea, fresh milk and Chang. Especially the Tsampa, ghee, tea, cow and sheep meat are reputed as "four treasures in Tibetan dining". If you make a tour to Tibet, do not miss the delicious highland food.

 

Traditional Tibetan food uses roasted barley flour, yak meat, milk, cheese, yoghurt and butter. This diet sustains those living at high altitude and the extreme conditions of the high plateau as little vegetation grows there. In contrast, the diet of those living in the Tibetan Himalayan foothills, where a wide range of fruit and vegetables are cultivated, is more varied.

 

There is an abundance of wild herbs and mushrooms which are commonly used in Traditional Tibetan medicine and also used in cooking Tibetan food. Due to Tibet's distance from the sea and, more importantly, a deep rooted belief in limiting the killing of sentient beings, fish and seafood are not widely used. In some areas of Tibet, Tibetan people even do not eat fish as they regard fish as the incarnation of the god of water or due to the fear of its bone getting stuck in the throat. Whatever, travelers are kindly required to respect local Tibetan customs during Tibet tour.

 

Tsampa

 

Tsampa is one of the stable foodstuffs in Tibet and very important to Tibetan. It is rich in nutrition and has large heat which is suitable for allaying hunger and keeping out cold. Generally, Tibetan people eat Tsampa every day and every meals. As the Tsampa is very simple to prepare, it is a convenient food for Tibetan, especially the herds such as sherpas, nomads and other nomadic people in Tibet.

 

The Tsampa is made of highland barley, a kind of cereal crops. With abundant nourishments and outstanding curative and health care function, highland barley is the main material of making Tsampa. The barley flour usually mixed with salty Tibetan butter tea.

 

Tsampa is goluptious, crisp and sweet. Tibetan people like to have Tsampa assistant with dishes, butter tea and capsicum. When eating Tsampa, Tibetan people would put some butter tea at the bottom of the bowl and put some barley flour, then stir gently with the forefinger and knead with the hand.

 

When you make a Lhasa tour, you can go to a sweet tea house in Lhasa, order a cup of sweet tea and some Tsampa, sit down to enjoy the food as local people do. 

 

Tibetan Sausage

Tibetan Sausage was created by Tibetan nomads more than 1000 years ago. The main method to make Tibetan sausage is to prime different materials into the fresh animal guts such as sheep, pig or cow. When put the stuffing into the intestines, people will put some assistant ingredients such as salt, pepper powder, chopped ginger and so on. The Tibetan sausages can be either steamed or roasted and then cut into slices to eat. Tibetan usually make this food in batches during new-year time. The Tibetan sausage taste fresh and goluptious and not oily, which is a nice cold dish. Then it can be stored for about one year. Therefore, you can buy some Tibetan sausage and take back home when you travel to Tibet.

 

According to different materials, the sausage can be divided into several categories. The sausage filling with sheep blood called Blood Sausage; and the one that stuffed with dogmeat named Meat Sausage; sausage which is filled with flour paste and edible oil is called Four Sausage; the one mainly filled with sheep fat together with some chopped meat named Oil Sausage; sausage stuffed with chopped animal liver called Liver Sausage.

 

Top five attractions in Lhasa recommended by Tibetan tour guide

Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is the economic, cultural and religious center of Tibet. There are dozens of tourist attractions in Lhasa, but most tourists only stay at Lhasa for three or four days. The following is a list of the top five attractions in Lhasa recommended by Tibetan tour guide is a great reference for you to make a wonderful Lhasa tour plan. It is very easy to visit these tourist sites in Lhasa as you only need to apply for Tibet entry permit. The policy on Tibet travel permit 2013 makes it easy for all travelers to get the Tibet permit.  

 

1. Potala Palace 

 

As a world’s famous tourist site in Tibet and one UNESCO World Heritage site, the Potala is always the first must-see attraction for most travelers travelling to Tibet. Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, Potala Palace is located on the Red Hill of Lhasa. The awe-inspiring Potala Palace, perched high above much of Lhasa, is the landmark of the city. The Potala Palace includes various chambers for worshipping Buddha and chambers housing the eight stupa that contain the remains of fifth through thirteenth Dalai Lama. The Potala Palace also has treasured a large number of sculptures, murals, scripture and other valuable cultural relics.

 

2. Jokhang Temple

 

As the spiritual center of Tibet, travelers have no reason to refuse the Jokhang Temple when travel to Tibet. The Jokhang was also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the historical assemblage of the Potala Palace. With a history of more than 1,300 years, the Jokhang is the fine product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architecture techniques. Visitors will be treated to the sight of various exotic and sacred sculptures. Jokhang Temple also houses many invaluable cultural relics. 

 

3. Barkhor   

 

When travelling to Lhasa, do not miss this ancient street in the traditional city of Lhasa. The Barkhor Street circling the Jokhang Temple is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble. Tourists can see Tibetan pilgrims walking or prostrating along the street clockwise every day into deep night. It is also a famous commercial street consisting of more than 120 handicrafts shops and more than 200 stalls. After visiting the Jokhang temple or during your free time in Tibet, having a walk along this street will make your Tibet tour more wonderful.

 

4. Namtso Lake

 

Known as heavenly lake in Tibetan, the Namtso Lake ranks to one of the top must-see attractions in Tibet due to its breathtakingly beautiful sights. With the lake surface assuming sky blue, the lake and the sky seem to be one and undivided, which may make visitors feel themselves in a fairy land if they have a stroll by the lake.

 

5. Sera Monastery

 

Located about two miles north of Lhasa, and occupying an area of about one-third of a square kilometer, Sera Monastery is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was named Sera which means wild rose in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when it was built.

 

The highlight of the Sera Monastery is the Buddhist Scripture Debate held at its courtyard by monks in this monastery. As a part of their study, lamas must participate in debates to further their comprehension and proceed to more advanced levels of study. The debating traditions in the Sera Monastery are unique among the three famous monasteries in Lhasa. In a battle of words, they supplement their efforts by using a variety of gestures including clapping their hands, pushing their partners for an answer, or plucking their prayer beads to win the virtue of the Buddha.

 

If you travel to Tibet, do not miss the exciting and interesting debate. It is usually held around 3:00pm. For a clear view of this unique event, an early arrival is recommended.