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I traveled to Tibet in the company of my husband and my mother and it was a dream come true for all three of us. It is a distant destination for us Europeans, so we wanted to take advantage of it to get to know other bordering countries.

We spent 4 days in Lhasa and visited: Potala Palace. Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung Monastery, Monastery kitchen in Drepung, Sera Monastery, Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Noijing Kangsang.

Travel with friendly group members in Lhasa

Enjoy the Superb Tour Service with Tibet Vista

We stayed at the St. Regis Hotel, on the recommendation of the Tibet Vista, as they claim to be younger and with better service than the Shangri_La Hotel. It is really a 5 star hotel. The starting point was Kathmandu, where Tibet Vista organized in an exemplary way our Tibet permit and the formal traveling invitation letter. Although we usually read a lot about the destination, blogs and travel guides, there is always something new that we only discovered when we arrived there.

Everything was processed with Tibet Vista by email, always with timely and enlightening answers. However, we were worried to hand over our passports to a stranger, a representative of Tibet Vista in Kathmandu, in an office outside the European standard. In Kathmandu buildings and roads are degraded, unlike Lhasa which retains architectural beauty and modernized roadways. We were more relaxed when they showed us the copies of our passports and the exchange of emails with Tibet Vista.

Extra Tips for Dealing with China Group Visa in Kathmandu

In this visa issue it is important to bear in mind that it is preferable to take face pictures in Kathmandu, obligatory, and to contract in the home country travel insurance covering the eventuality of visa being denied by the Chinese Embassy for no apparent reason. And be careful in booking flights because you will need to be in Kathmandu for at least 3 working days for Chinese visa application. - Find out how to get China Group Visa in Kathmandu.

An equally important recommendation is to always be accompanied by your passport, since without it you do not enter Potala Palace or Jokhang Temple. And also wear long trousers, without showing your ankles, otherwise you are not allowed to enter temples either.

How I Adopt to the High Altitude in Tibet?

When you arrive at the hotel in Lhasa do not be surprised if you see some guest carrying oxygen cylinders, but do not dare to take a dip, as hot water and altitude do not match. Despite having a selection of good restaurants referenced by Tibet Vista and travelers, the truth is that with the altitude I had problems of appetite. - Learn more of expert’s tips to avoid altitude sickness in Tibet.

Tips for Dining and Shopping in Tibet

But the Tibetan food is very tasty and beautifully presented in any of these restaurants (MakyeAme, Lhasa Kitchen, Tibetan Family Kitcken, etc). More Tibetan cuisine and great restaurants to dine in Tibet. If you plan to shop in Lhasa stores, sports goods for example, take cash. I did not know that our credit cards are not accepted in stores, nor in ATMs. You can find souvenirs on Barkhor Street and Yamdrok Lake with similar prices. Fresh fruit despite being on sale in local markets in Lhasa, much of it is imported and does not have great flavor.

Foreigners may still have problems with wifi, including the reception of the hotel. So do not leave for the last minute flight confirmations, reservations, etc, as you might be without internet access during your stay in Tibet.

Amazing Tour Experience in Tibet

My father says he does not need to travel because he knows the world through the media. In fact he had already seen several reports from the Potala Palace, but nothing compares to being in his presence. It's magnificent. From the reception of the St Regis Hotel you can contemplate the Potala Palace, although a little distant.

Take a picture with the iconic Potala Palace

During the visit to the Potala Palace I recommend carrying as little weight as possible, as the climb of the staircase can be tiring for people with less physical preparation.

I was also impressed by the pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. It's the cultural shock we're waiting for, but never with this intensity. The crowd inside this temple can also scare people with claustrophobic problems.

Yak butter lamps placed in Jokhang Temple

I also enjoyed traveling to Yamdrok Lake, sitting at an altitude of 4,441 meters above sea level.

Yamdrok Lake

On the road trip, it was possible to see a bit of the outskirts of Lhasa and to be in contact with the Tibetan Mastiffs. They are large dogs that look more like lions. They are very docile, at least apparently, and photogenic. Another photo you can take to impress your friends is with the Tibetan Yak. But of course, you will have to pay for each photograph as it is the subsistence way for its owners.

Tibetan Mastiffs

Prepare your camera on Barkhor Street as you will find many young women in professional photo shoots in the most beautiful Tibetan costumes. It is a very friendly and smiling people, who will surely pose for you as well.

Barkhor Street

I do not know if I will ever return to Tibet, but I still have so much to see and explore…

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