TIBET
For
centuries, Tibet has fascinated mankind.
This land beyond the mighty Himalaya on the
highest plateau of the world, was hardly
accessible to the out side world and has
always been a challenge to all mortal
beings. This "land of mysteries", a
"forbidden land", forbidden not only by man
but also by nature, appeals to so many
explorers, scholars, pilgrims and
adventurers in the past, hoping to find
probably a real "SHANGRILA" . In the past,
Lhasa, the capital and centre of Tibetan
culture, religion and Lama theology, was so
far from anywhere and the journey to it so
ardous, from any direction, that only the
hardiest souls, impelled by the strongest
motive or curiosity, penetrated to the holy
city. Now fortunately there is an
opportunity to visit Tibet.
With an
average altitude of 4,000m above sea level,
Tibet is located at the main part of Qinghai
Tibet Plateau, south west of China. Tibet
has an area of 1.2 million sq. km and
borders with Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai,
Xingjiang to the south and contiguous to
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan & Burma.
Tibet has more than 50 peaks above 7,000 m
out of which 11 are more than 8,000m.
Tibet has low
humidity, moderate rainfall and an average
of 10 hr of sunshine daily. With more than
3000 hrs. of sunshine annually, Lhasa is
famed as "The city of Sunshine". Contrary to
popular belief, winter is the best time to
visit Tibet. Night tempratures seldom drop
below -5 degree centigrade in Lhasa and it
rarely snows in the Lhasa valley.
Almost all
practice, Mahayana Buddhism and belief in
present day religious reincarnate teachers.
There are few followers of pre Buddhist Bon
Po and also Islam.
All visitors
to Tibet must hold a valid passport. The
visa is issued by the Chinese Embassy, after
a package tour is confirmed and arrival in
Nepal. All others issued elsewhere must be
endorsed by this Embassy.
As long as
registered with a Custom Office in Tibet,
there is no prohibitation on still and video
cameras, tape recorders and radios. Printed
matters are considered as unsuitable by
Chinese Government. Custom regulations
forbid the export of art objects created
prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed
to be excessive.
Renminbi, is
the people's money used by millions of
Chinese everyday. It circulates in notes of
1,2,5,10 and 50 Yuan. Current exchange rate
is US$1.00 = RMB 8.20.
The Airport
tax at present is US$ 12.00 or RMB 90.00 per
person.
Travelling in
Tibet involves high altitude and can be
strenuous. Clients with heart and lung
problems or blood diseases should consult
their doctor before booling trips. Simple
headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach
disorders can happen before the
acclimatisation. We advice to drink lot of
water (about 3-4 liters of Water) per day
and not to strain yourself. Clients, under
medication should bring their own personal
medicians. No special inoculations are
required to visit Tibet. |
