What tourists can do for local people when travel to Tibet

Some tourists would like to do something instructive to local people when they travel to a certain place. Then what tourists can do for local people when travel to Tibet?

 

Tibet is reputed as the last pure land on earth, partly because of pure spiritual world of Tibetan people, and partly because of well-preserved environment. When tourists make a tour to Tibet, they are appreciated to protect the pure land or help local people to preserve their home town.

 

Firstly, tourists should respect local customs as Tibetans have a very different culture style and customs. So don’t do the following things.

 

1. Touch religious objects in temples

 

If you take a Tibetan monastery in your Tibet tour, don’t touch sutras, Buddhist statues, paintings and musical instruments and never leap from the tops, or you will defile the God in Tibetan Buddhism.

 

2. Talk aloud when watching religious ceremony

 

If you happen to meet a religious ceremony in a monastery, do keep quiet during religious ceremony.

 

3. Smoke in a temple

 

If you are a heavy smoker, do control yourself and do not smoke in a temple in Tibet because it is holy place for Tibetan people. 

 

4. Shout at the top of mountains

 

Usually, tourists would be excited and shout when climb up to the top of a mountain. But please keep quiet on the top of mountains in Tibet. It is believed that loud noise will result in heavy snow, storms or hail.

 

5. Walk counter-clockwise in Barkhor Street

 

The famous Barkhor Street is a must-visit place for a Tibet tour. At the same time, it is also a sacred kora for Tibetan Buddhists who always walk clockwise around the Barkhor Street. So please do as local Tibetans do, especially during the peak hours of pilgrimage from 9 am to 6 pm.

 

Besides, the geographic environment of Tibet is a kind of fragile. When you are travelling in Tibet, please do not scatter garbage. You are kindly asked to use environmental friendly products while keeping your waste far from water sources. Lastly tourist should only travel on well trafficked paths without creating new ones, as this prevents soil erosion from accumulating, especially when you are trekking in Tibet.

 

In addition, tourists are appreciated to bring some gifts to Tibetan kids at remote areas. As we know, most areas of Tibet are off the main roads and the living condition of the Tibetan people in remote areas is very poor. Moreover, the climate and environment of Tibet are harsh. There are many Tibetan people needing help, especially Tibetan kids. There is decent house and school for them, let alone amusement park. Tourists can bring some school bags, reading books, pens, basketballs and other sporting products and school supplies for them.

 

Tourists can also donate some money or goods to orphanages in Tibet when travel to Tibet. Due to the poor medical and harsh living condition in Tibet, some kids lose their family very young. Fortunately, there is another home for them, that is, orphanage. For instance, the Dickey Orphanage is a home for over hundred orphans. But the foundation of the orphanage is a self-motivated action, thus the Dickey Orphanage needs your help, the kids there need your help.

 

In fact, you are doing contribution to the Tibet land when you make a Tibet tour. But do make sure your money is spent on service offered by Tibetan people and Tibetan products, for instance, using a local Tibet travel agency, hiring local Tibetans as your tour guide, etc.