Q&A: A summer Trip to Tibet

On May 17, 2011, the New York Times published an article titled “Q&A: A Summer Trip to Tibet” to expatiate the accommodation, transportation, must-visit tourist destinations in the region as well as giving medical advice in case of altitude sickness. Following is the full text for your reference.  

Q:Out of the blue, my husband asked me if I wanted to visit Tibet. It was a complete and intriguing surprise! What would be your advice? Would this summer be an ideal time to go? No doubt Lhasa City would be incredible. How could we make the long trip traveling there memorable? Above all, is it safe?– Anita B. Chu, M.D., St. Louis

A. Tibet is a land of breathtaking scenic views and rich cultural history. Tourism restrictions have loosened in recent years, before planning specifics, contact a local travel agency and ask about any necessary permits. Once your paperwork is in order, you can focus on the sort of trip you'd like to have.

If you're planning to travel in the near future, your best would be to travel sometime during the months of June, September or October (July and August constitute the rainy season). It's likely that most of your time will be spent in Lhasa, capital city of Tibet . Lhasa is easily accessible by air to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA), and transportation to surrounding cities is available by bus or train.

While there, head over to the Ramoche Temple — one of two famous Buddhist temples in Lhasa. Although the landmark dates from the seventh century, most of its original interior was restored in the mid 1980s, and priceless artifacts can be found within.
Hotels are abundant in Lhasa, so you should have no trouble establishing a home base while there.

The Four Points by Sheraton in Lhasa (starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints) offers comfortable rooms, with rates for the month of June starting at just under $150 a night.

As a convenient bonus, the hotel is within walking distance of the Jokhang Temple, (see photo above)—the sister structure of the Ramoche.

It's also smart to be prepared for the high elevation (almost 12,000 feet) of the area. Altitude sickness is common among visitors — with symptoms ranging from shortness of breath to headache and fatigue — but signs usually disappear after several days.

To speed your recovery, it's best to take it slow at first and allow your body to adjust to the thin air. If rest alone doesn't help, Frommer's, the online content partner of The Times's Travel section, suggests taking Diamox several hours before arrival. It requires a prescription, so contact your doctor for more information.