Shall travelers cancel tour to Tibet after Yaan Quake?

The Yaan Quake, just like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, awakened many Sichuan people out of a good sleep on weekend and also killed over one hundred people. We feel deeply sorry for the victims in the quake. The deadly disastrous quake also raises a question - “Shall travelers cancel tour to Tibet after Yaan Quake?”

 

“Travelers who have booked a tour to Tibet or have a tour plan to Tibet in this April or May do not need to worry about their tour to Tibet.” According to Catherine Jing, the manager of Tibettravel Org, a local Tibet travel agency.

 

“Everything in Tibet is OK after the Yaan Quake. Even in Chengdu which is 114km east of Yaan, there is no any damage during the quake, let alone Lhasa which is over 2000km away from Yaan.” Catherine Jing said.

 

If tourists are still afraid of travelling from Chengdu to Tibet, they can travel to Tibet from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Kathmandu. There are flights and trains to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa. All the trains and flights to Tibet are operated as normal after the Yaan earthquake.  

 

Now, it is the best time to visit the world’s highest peaks in Tibet due to the clear weather, such as Mt. Everest (8,848m), Qowowuyag Peak (8,201m) and Xixabangba Peak (8,027m). Tourists can make an Everest Base Camp Tour or Tibet Nepal Tour to view the grand mountains during this season.  

 

The weather becomes warmer and warmer in Tibet and Tibet tourism enters its peak season. Many traditional Tibetan festivals will also be celebrated in the next months. For instance, the annual grandest Tibetan religious festival, Saga Dawa Festival will be celebrated on May 25^th, 2013. During the Saga Dawa Festival, thousands of Tibetan pilgrims will do pilgrimage to Lhasa and Mt. Kailash. Lhasa is the holy center of Tibet and receives millions of pilgrims each year, while Mt. Kailash is the holiest mount in Tibet.

 

Then in June, exciting Gyantse horse racing festival and interesting Tashilhunpo Festival will be held. In July, Choerkor Dhuchen Festival and Ganden Thangka Festival will show you the Tibetan Buddhism culture.   

 

Shoton Festival, the most popular Tibetan festival among travelers, will be celebrated in Lhasa in early August. At the same time, famous Nagchu horse racing festival will be held on the grassland of northern Tibet. 

 

If you travel to Tibet during these festivals, you will be rewarded with extra cultural experience except the breathtaking landscape of Tibet with turquoise alpine lakes, grand snow-capped mountains, vast grassland dotted with herds and wild flowers, ancient monasteries, kind Tibetan people, delicious Tibetan food, etc.

Since more and more travelers flock in to Tibet, it is best to make an early Tibet tour plan, including choosing a reliable Tibet travel agency, designing a proper Tibet tour route, applying for Tibet travel permit and booking hotels, air tickets and train tickets, especially the train tickets to Lhasa. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is such a scenic track to Tibet that the Tibet train tickets are usually sold out several days before departure.  

Tibet Everest Tour Popular in May

In May, tourists can get a clear and close view of the highest peak in the world, the famed Mt. Everest, which is usually surrounded by mist. Thus, Tibet Everest tour is popular in May among travelers from all over the world. Besides, Mt. Everest is also popular among mountain climbers in May for it is also the best time to climb the Everest. Both travelers and Everest climbers would make a Lhasa tour for fully acclimation of the altitude and environment of Tibet first before heading to the highest peak.  

 

Why May is the best time to visit the Everest and also climb the Everest?

 

For travelers making tour to Everest Base Camp, they can see the most beautiful Everest Peak in a year. The Mt. Everest is always surrounded by cloud and mist in the other seasons, but not in this season from the beginning of March to mid May and from the beginning of September to mid November.

 

In winter, it is very cold and snow may make it difficult to travel to the Everest Base Camp. What’s more, the lodges may be closed above this altitude due to the harsh climate and few guests during winter. Not only at the EBC, even in Lhasa there are hotels that would be closed during winter, especially hostels and guesthouses. Thus, if you travel to Tibet in winter, you will have a limited option on hotels.

 

Summers, on the other hand, are wet, and the spectacular peaks are often lost in the clouds. April and May is a good time to see the hedgerows and trees bursting into bloom, with Rhododendrons, in particular, adding a spectacular splash of colour to the landscape. However, dust from the plains of India during the spring routinely provides less than ideal conditions for clear mountain views. The views are much better after the summer monsoons have cleared the atmosphere of dust, but the days are shorter and cooler. But summer is a great season to enjoy a Tibet tour, and some tourists also would make an Everest Base Camp Tour.

 

 

For Mount Everest Climbers, it comes down to snow, temperature, and wind. Mount Everest protrudes into the stratosphere, and most of the year the summit is buffeted by winds of over 100 miles per hour that will kill a climber in minutes or even hurtle them into the void. It is only during the onset or cession of the Asian Monsoon that these winds die down and allow climbers short seven- to 10-day windows to climb the mountain, and also allow tourists get a chance to see the real appearance of the Everest when the travel to Tibet.

 

The highest recorded wind speed at the summit was a 175 mph in February 2004. For reference, a Category 5 hurricane has sustained wind speeds of at least 157 mph. Throughout the winter, hurricane-force winds pummel the summit for three days out of four.

 

The two windows in which those wild winds die down happen in May and September. But snow falls during the September calm, so fresh snow drifts offset the break from the wind. That's why so many people try the ascent in May and tour to EBC.

 

The monsoon season also provides survivable temperatures. The Everest summit temperature ranges from an average of minus 4 F to minus 31 F, but the temperature is generally warmer as the winds blow more gently from the end of May until the third week of October, according to weather reports. May to mid-October is also the peak season of Tibet tour.

 

The mountaineering enthusiasts with different colors gathering at the Everest Base Camp in May also make a great sight for tourists doing an Everest Base Camp tour in this month. It is no exaggeration to say that the Everest Base Camp is a small UN in May. You can find people from every corner on earth.

 

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. 

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.

Mysterious Tibetan Funeral Customs

When talking about Tibetan funeral customs, sky burial would come into the mind for most people because sky burial is the most mysterious ritual for people outside Tibet. Most travelers are curious about the sky burial when travel to Tibet. In fact, other types of funeral ways are also practiced in Tibet, including inhumation, cremation, water burial, tree burial, stupa burial, cliff burial, stone coffin burial and multi-person burial, etc,.

 

Inhumation

 

Inhumation is the earliest funeral practice in Tibet. In ancient times, inhumation prevailed in remote areas of Tibet and took the ruling position during the Tubo Kingdom period. It had evolved to its peak and become the noblest funeral practice when the Tubo Kingdom was also in full flourish. Today, we can still find some magnificent royal tombs of Tibet Kings and royalties. If you are interesting in Tibetan inhumation, you can make a Tibet tour to Qonggyai County of Shannan Prefecture to visit the Tombs of Tibetan Kings.    

 

However with decline of the Tubo Kingdom, inhumation is gradually taken as a humble burial way mainly for dead of infectious disease or accident or for the outlanders, who are considered as impure and not qualified for celestial burial or water burial.  

 

Sky Burial

 

In Tibetan Buddhism, it is believed that sky burial or celestial burial represents their wishes to go to heaven. It is the most widespread way for commoners to deal with the dead in Tibet. If you make a Lhasa tour taking in Drigung Til Monastery, you will have a chance a see the sky burial site there.

 

When a Tibetan dies, the corpse is wrapped in white Tibetan cloth and placed in a corner of the house for three or five days, during which monks or lamas are asked to read the scripture aloud so that the souls can be released from purgatory.

 

The body is carried to the burial site on a lucky day. Meanwhile some cypress branches will be burned to make smoke to attract condors to eat the body. If the vultures come and eat the body, it means that the dead has no sin and that his/her soul has gone peacefully to the Paradise for Tibetans believe that the condors on the mountains around the celestial burial platform are "holy birds" and only eat the human body without attacking any small animals nearby. Any remains left by the holy birds must be collected up and burnt while the Lamas chant sutras to redeem the sins of the dead, because the remains would tie the spirits to this life.

 

Many tourists making a tour to Tibet may want to watch the process of a sky burial. But they are not allowed to do it because strangers are not allowed to attend the ceremony for Tibetans believe it will bring negative efforts to the ascending of the souls. So visitors should respect this custom and keep away from such occasions. But tourists can watch a sky burial at Langmusi on the border of Gansu and Sichuan if they make an Amdo Tibet Tour.

 

Water Burial

 

Water burial is considered as a derivative of the sky burial in Tibet. Its position is two-fold in different areas of Tibet. Celestial burial prevails in central Tibet and water burial is thus only for the poor people in this area.

 

On the other hand, in the marginal areas of Tibet, especially at the deep valleys in Southern Tibet where there are few vultures available, water burial becomes the main way for the local people. They do not think of it as being inferior to celestial burial, since both are for dedication to the deities, whether in the air or under water. Thus, people there do not eat fish. Do respect their custom when you do a Tibet tour to this area.

 

Stupa Burial

 

Stupa burial is the holiest funeral practice in Tibet. Only grand Living Buddhas and very few noblemen can be qualified. Stupa is a Tibetan Buddhist religious monument and a sacred burial site. It is reserved for Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama or the Living Buddha. When they pass away, their bodies will undergo antiseptic treatment, mummification or preservation, and then reside inside of the gold or silver stupa for worship. When you travel to Tibet, you will see many stupas in monasteries of Tibet.

 

Tree Burial

 

Tree burial prevails in Nyingchi Prefecture and is mainly practiced for aborted children. The process is to clean the body with salt solution, then place it into a wooden crate, cask or bamboo basket, and carry it to forested area north-facing on the mountain, and hang on a great tree, so the other children of the family will be free from being harmed again.

 

Cliff Burial

 

Cliff burial is mainly practiced in southern Tibet. When a person dies, the body will be coated with ghee or milk, and treated with salts and perfume, and then sealed in a small cube-shaped wooden crate. The burial site is usually selected in places far away from human habitation, especially in the cliffs standing aside of torrential river valleys. Making a Tibet trekking tour, you may get a chance to find a cliff burial site in remote areas off the main road.

 

The Tibetan funeral customs have been greatly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, Bon Religion and the nonparallel natural and cultural environment.

It is safe to travel to Tibet after Yaan Quake

Some travelers who have a Tibet tour plan in 2013 may be wondering whether it is safe to travel to Tibet after Yaan Quake. The answer is absolutely YES. All areas in Tibet Autonomous Region are not affected by the earthquake. The transportation to Tibet, including flights and trains to Tibet, is also not affected by the Yaan earthquake.   

 

Yaan is located at the border between Chengdu Plain and Tibetan Border and works as an important gateway city for travelers who travel to Tibet by Sichuan-Tibet Highway which is not open to foreign travelers. At present, only Chinese citizens are allowed to travel to Tibet by Sichuan-Tibet Highway which is a scenic road popular among Chinese travelers who travel to Tibet by car or by bike. If travelers want to travel to Tibet by overland, they can choose Qinghai-Tibet Highway instead of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.  

 

For foreign travelers, travelling to Tibet by train or flight from mainland China and by overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa are the most common ways. After the earthquake, all the trains and flights to Tibet are in normal operation.

 

At present, Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world’s highest railway, is the only rail to Tibet. Tourists can take a train to Tibet from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xining, Lanzhou, Xian, etc. The Beijing to Lhasa train, Chengdu to Lhasa train, Shanghai to Lhasa train and Xining to Lhasa train are the most popular trains to Tibet among foreign tourists for Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu are famous international metropolises in mainland China, while Xining is the starting point of the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

 

Accordingly, the train tickets to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu are in great demand and usually sold out several days before departure, especially the sleeper train tickets. As it takes a very long time to travel to Tibet by train, most travelers prefer sleeper berth. It is easier for travelers to book train tickets from Xining to Lhasa for all trains to Tibet make stopover at Xining.

 

There are three kinds of Tibet train tickets, soft-sleeper, hard-sleeper and seat tickets. In fact, the hard-sleeper berth is also soft, not hard. One difference between the soft-sleeper and hard sleeper is that four passengers share one soft-sleeper compartment, while six passengers share one hard-sleeper compartment. Therefore, there is more private room in a soft-sleeper compartment. Another difference is that there is a door for each soft-sleeper compartment and no door for hard-sleeper compartment.

 

After the Qinghai-Tibet Railway put in operation in July, 2006, going to Tibet by train prevails among both domestic and overseas travelers. But travelling to Tibet by air is still an easy way. On one hand, it is fastest way to Tibet. One the other hand, it is easier to book an air ticket to Tibet than train tickets because there are more options on flights to Tibet.  

 

Currently, tourists can fly to Lhasa directly from major cities of mainland China, like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xining, Xi'an, Kunming, Zhongdian, Xiamen, etc. There are also flights from Chengdu to Nyingchi, southeast Tibet and from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

 

Another popular way to Tibet among foreigners is travelling from Kathmandu to Lhasa by overland via Friendship Highway. The road condition of the Friendship Hwy is quite good. Besides, travelers can visit many famous tourist sites en route, such as Mt. Everest, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yamdrok Lake and so on.

 

After the Yaan Earthquake, it is not only safe to travel to Tibet, but very easy to travel to Tibet due to the easy application for Tibet permits. According to the policy on Tibet permit 2013, even solo travelers can get Tibet permit easily so that travelers enjoy more flexibility on Tibet tour.