What is Tibet Known For? Why Tibet is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip?

For most people, hearing the world “Tibet” conjures up images of monks in red robes, meditations, mountain peaks with ice rolling over, blue skies and maybe, the divine Shangri-La. In reality, Tibet is so much more than that.

Known as the “Roof of the World”, Tibet has long been a dream destination for many outsiders. Whether you seek for royal scenery or unique religious culture, you will always find a reason to convince you to be here. Read this article to know the most famous highlights of Tibet.

Tibet is Known for Its Distinctive Buddhist Culture

The culture of Tibet is as distinctive as its high mountains and sacred lakes, and has its basis in both, among other things. Geographic and climate conditions have helped to shape the unique culture of the Tibetan plateau, with no small influences from neighboring India and Nepal.

The remoteness of the plateau, sitting high on the other side of the Himalayas, is also a reason for the unique culture of the region. Tibet preserves the distinct local cultures of the ancient Tibetan people, and develops a culture that can survive in one of the harshest environments on the planet.

Tibetan Buddhism has an significant influence on local Tibetans.

Tibetan Buddhism is also a major part of the Tibetan culture, and the daily lives of Tibetan people are hugely influenced by their devout beliefs. Since its introduction in the 7th century, Buddhism has had the most profound influence on the Tibetan culture of all.

Tourists who are attracted to Tibetan culture are recommended to take a trip to Lhasa, Shigatse and Tsedang in central Tibet. And our Tibet culture tour offers a collection of itineraries that can bring you to explore these cultural places. You will also learn both Tibetan culture and local legends from our local Tibetan guides.

Tibet is Known for Its Holy Mountains and Lakes

Tibet is a land of high mountains and huge lakes, all of which have some religious or holy significance in Tibetan religion and culture. Of the lake, the most sacred is the Great Three Holy Lakes of Tibet: Lake Manasarovar, Lake Yamdrok, and Lake Namtso. These three lakes are the intense pilgrimage locations on the plateau.

Lake Namtso is known as the “Heavenly Lake” in Tibet, and has links to the guru Padmasambhava, who stayed at the meditation caves nearby. Lake Yamdrok is known as the heart of Tibet and the lifeblood of the plateau, believed to be one of the holiest lakes in the world.

Yamdrok Lake, one of the Great Three Holy Lakes of Tibet.

Lake Manasarovar is often considered to be the holiest of even these three sacred lakes. Revered in both Hinduism and Buddhism, it is believed to have been the place where Maya Devi conceived Siddhartha Gautama, who went on to become the Sakyamuni Buddha.

Mountains are also a huge part of Tibetan Buddhism, and it is believed that gods reside at the top of these massive peaks. On the border with Nepal lies Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. To the north, in Ngari Prefecture, sits the pyramid-shaped Mount Kailash, known as the most sacred mountain on earth. Believed to be the earthly representation of Mount Meru, Mount Kailash has never been climbed due to its revered status in four separate religions.

> Explore Tibet’s sacred mountains by joining in our classic Mount Everest tour or Mount Kailash tour.

Tibet is Known for Its Different Four Seasons and Unique Topography

The weather is never the same in Tibet, and different seasons bring out different faces of this land, thereby making it an ideal spot for a vacation, regardless of whether you adore mild temperatures and endless sunshine or shivering snow and blurred isolated surroundings.

The stunning alpine scenery of Tibet captivates everyone’s imagination. Floras and faunas find homes in their realm of happiness, where Mother Nature rewrites her definition of beauty with eternal peace and mountainous glory. However, living in the harsh weather conditions in Tibet should not be taken lightly.

Tibet has four seasons with different landscapes.

Some seasons are best for travel, usually in between April and October, while others, during winter especially, tourists can experience the most intense Buddhist atmosphere. Since winter is the off-season of Tibet tour, not only can you enjoy cheaper hotels and attraction ticket fare but also the ideal flight tickets and many tourism promotional events, plus diverse religious and cultural festivals.

> Join in our Tibet winter tour to enjoy a different landscape of Tibet with lower budget.

Tibet is Known for Its Colorful Religious Tibetan Festivals

Festivals in Tibet are not just a colorful celebration for Tibetan people; they are also an important religious ceremony that has reference and meaning in Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetans love festivals, and whenever one is on, they will travel for many miles to attend and pray and have fun.

Some of the most stunning festivals happen in Tibet, such as the famous Saga Dawa Festival, which is held annually to celebrate the birth, death, and enlightenment of Buddha, or the secular Shoton Festival, believed to have started hundreds of years ago in honor of the monks who spent 100 days in meditation and fasting to avoid killing even the smallest creature.

Locals are celebrating Saga Dawa Festival at Mt. Kailash.

Perhaps the most popular and biggest festival in Tibet, though, is the Tibetan New Year, known locally as Losar. It is similar to the Chinese New Year, and is always held on the first day of the New Year in the Tibetan calendar. Losar is a celebration of new beginnings and fresh starts, of praying for a bountiful and prosperous year, and of being with family at the most important days of the year.

> Join in our Tibet festival tour to experience the most thrilling festivities with locals.

Tibet is Known for Lhasa - The City of Sunlight

Lhasa is known as the “City of Sunlight” because of its massive number of sunny days throughout the year. The city lies on the banks of the Lhasa River, a tributary of the vast Yarlung Tsangpo River, which later becomes the Brahmaputra.

Lhasa has a wealth of sights and attractions, which includes the famous Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism and the home of the spectacular Jowo Sakyamuni, the golden statue of Buddha that was brought to Tibet in the 7th century.

Potala Palace, one of the landmarks of Tibet.

However, while the Jokhang is famous, the most iconic landmark in Tibet, is the beautiful Potala Palace. Sitting on top of the Red Hill, this amazing red and white palace was built in the 16th century and is an amazing testament to Tibetan building and architecture.

All of this, and more, can be seen on almost any tour that includes a two-day stop in Lhasa for acclimatization, which is almost every tour to Tibet. A Lhasa city tour is suitable for every traveller, especially the first-timers to Tibet.

Tibet is Known for Nyingchi - The Surprisingly Beautiful Land

Known alternatively as Linzhi, Nyingchi is the easternmost prefecture of Tibet, as well as the lowest in terms of altitude. This makes the climate milder and more pleasant, and an ideal place to start a tour of Tibet for those that have never been to the plateau lands before.

Lunang Forest, a fariy land in Nyingchi, Tibet.

An outstandingly beautiful region of the Tibetan plateau, Nyingchi is renowned for its lush green valleys, burbling streams and rivers, high snow-clad mountains, and the amazing Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the largest canyon in the world.

> Enjoy breathtaking scenery in eastern Tibet with our well-designed Nyingchi tour.

Tibet is Known for Tibetan Nomads - The Unique Nomadic Tribe Living on the Plateau

Once, long ago, all Tibetans were nomads, wandering the plains and prairies of the plateau with their herds of yaks and sheep, looking for the best pasture lands. The nomads lived a unique existence, living their entire lives on the plateau’s grasslands, sleeping in yak-hair tents, and following a unique and ancient form of animal husbandry that treated the land like a friend.

Local Tibetan nomads are attending the famous Nagqu Horse Racing Festival.

Nomads would move from grazing land to grazing land, following a distinct pattern that would respect the lands they lived on and used, and allow it to recover properly from the grazing before returning to it in the distant future. It was this symbiosis with the land that allowed them to survive in one of the world’s most hostile environments.

Nowadays, there are fewer nomads in Tibet, but those that remain still follow the same way of life of their ancestors, and still follow the pattern of the land for grazing and recovery. Nomads can still be seen in Tibet on many of the plains and prairies, most notably the Changtang Grasslands in Nagqu Prefecture, and in the south in Shannan Prefecture, also known as Lhoka. A generous and hospitable people, these amazing herders have an ever-optimistic outlook on life, and prosper in this most inhospitable of landscapes.

Conclusion

Tibet is undoubtedly the most unique and spectacular land on the planet. Set high above the rest of the world, this unique land, with its equally unique people, culture, religion, and natural landscape is the trip of a lifetime for anyone interested in different travel experience. If you have any doubts about how special Tibet is, then come and see for yourself. We are certain that you will be amazed.