Why travel Tibet by Train

For years an impossible dream, the new 1956km train line from Golmud to Lhasa was finally inaugurated in July 2006 and at least four passenger trains trundle up onto the high plateau every day. The line has quickly become one of the world’s classic train trips.



There’s no doubt the Qinghai-Tibet train line is an engineering marvel. Topping out at 5072m, it is the world’s highest railway, snatching the title from a Peruvian line. The statistics speak for themselves: 86% of the line is above 4000m, and half the track lies on permafrost, requiring a cooling system of pipes driven into the ground to keep it frozen year-round and avoid a rail-buckling summer thaw. Construction of the line involved building 160km of bridges and elevated track, seven tunnels (including the world’s highest) and 24 hyperbaric chambers, the latter to treat altitude-sick workers.



All trains cross the Tibetan plateau during daylight, guaranteeing you great views (the scenery is impressive in scale rather than beautiful). From Golmud the train climbs through desert into the jagged caramel-coloured mountains of Nanshankou (South-ern Pass), passing what feels like a stone’s throw from the impressive glaciers beside Yuzhu Feng (Jade Pearl Peak; 6178m). Other highlights include the nearby tunnel through the 4776m Kunlun Pass, where you can see the prayer flags at the top of the pass, and Tsonak Lake, 8 hours from Golmud near Amdo, claimed to be the highest freshwater lake in the world at 4608m. Keep your eyes peeled throughout the journey for antelope, fox and wild asses, plus the occasional impressed-looking nomad. The train crosses into Tibet over the 5072m Tangu-la (Tanggula Shankou) Pass, the line’s high point.



As you aboard the Lhasa bound train, with its comfortable beds, fine food, and aromatic coffee and instant noodles, you will gaze out the window and view stunning landscapes unfold like paintings as they race alongside the railway - this is the great Tibet Train journey that you have dreamt about. Besides, if you go to Tibet by train, you can adapt your body to the high plateau environment slowly and gradually. Then, you may relieve or avoid high altitude sickness.



Don’t be hesitated to start a Tibet tour by train, it is really a once-in-a-life journey. The super highlight of this kind of Tibet tour is the Sky Train, the world’s highest train ride across the 5200 meter high mountain pass amidst the grand vistas of surreal mountain range and uniquely shaped Tibetan Landscape. It would be an unforgettable expedition across full bosomed clear streams cascading down beautiful mountain ranges, sharing kisses with glistering dew drops, an amorous ride with nature.

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Travel to Tibet

The Treatment to the High Altitude Sickness

Treat mild symptoms by resting at the same altitude until recovery, usually
a day or two. Take paracetamol or acetaminophen for headaches. If
symptoms persist or become worse, however, immediate descent is
necessary. Even 500m can help.

The most effective treatment for severe AMS is to get down to a lower
altitude as quickly as possible. In less severe cases the victim will be able
to stagger down with some support; in other cases they may need to be
carried down. Whatever the case, any delay could be fatal.

AMS victims may need to be flown out of Tibet as quickly as possible, so
make sure you have adequate travel insurance.
The drug acetazolamide (Diamox) is recommended for the prevention of
AMS - take 125mg twice a day as a preventive dose. Be aware that even
when you are on Diamox, you should not ignore any symptoms of AMS.

However, the use Diamox is controversial. It can reduce the symptoms,
but may also mask warning signs; severe and fatal AMS has occ urred in
people taking this drug. Travellers should discuss the use of Diamox with a
travel health expert. Diamox should be avoided in those with a sulphur
allergy, but you can discuss taking a trial of the medication at home if
necessary.

Drug treatments should never be used to avoid descent or to enable
further ascent (although they can help get people well enough to
descend)

Info comes from Travel to Tibet

ine"> </Get a Real Taste for Tibet with Locals in Lhasa
Tibet » Lhasa
When you travel, getting the local experience is essential. And this
exclusive tour takes you deep into the heart of the ancient civilization of
Tibet, and shows you the daily life and practices of a Tibetan. Learn
their customs, discover their unique cuisine, and discuss your different
worldviews with a local, as you step into this unforgettable society. This
tour will give you an overall snapshot of a Tibetan’s life and shows you
everything from monasteries to a local Tibetan home. So don’t settle for
ordinary, and start exploring the unspoiled side of Tibet away from all
the other tourists now.
 < Duration: 3 Days
 Max Altitude: 3,650 meters
 Customizable private tour with private guide & vehicle

Everest Region---Why go and When to go

Why Go
The great overland trip across Tibet  -  from Lhasa to the Nepali border
via  Gyantse,  Shigatse  and  Mt  Everest  Base  Camp  -  passes  straight
through  Tsang.  Most  of  the  highlights  of the  region  lie  right  along (or
close to) the Friendship Hwy, making cross-country travel a relatively
straightforward  process.  A  great  variety  of  sights  and  activities  are
experienced along the way, from hardcore treks in the Everest region to
a smorgasbord of ancient Tibetan monasteries and historic towns. For
many travellers, Tsang is either the first or last place they experience in
Tibet, and the ride either up or down from Nepal is a border crossing for
the ages.
When to Go?
The best time of the year to visit Tsang is from May to June, when views
of Mt Everest are usually clear before the monsoon brings cloud cover.
This  is  also  an  excellent  time  for  trekking  in  the  Himalayas.  The
colourful three-day festival at Tashilhunpo takes place in June or July
(dates change each year) and culminates in the unrolling of a massive
thangkas.  Visit  Gyantse  for  the  horse  racing  and  archery  festival  in
June (dates change each year), which includes traditional games, folk
singing, picnics and much swilling of barley beer.

Where to Buy in Tibet Travel

Barkhor  Street  is  the  famous  commercial  center  of  Tibet.  It  is
located  outside  of  Jokhang  Temple.  Over  120  handicraft  and  artwork
shops and over 200 individual booths are set up on Barkhor Street each
day.  It  is  a  must-go  place  for  all  souvenir  shopping.
Tibetan  rugs,  knives,  broadswords,  traditional  clothes,  gold  and  silver
jewelry  and  all  sorts  of  traditional  handmade  craftwork  can  easily  be
found  in  this  street.  One  tip,  Tibetan  beads  especially  are  very
expensive,  so  don't  forget  to  bargain  with  the  vendors,  whatever  you
buy! You can also find fabulous food on Barkhor Street.  It's a good idea
to go shopping on Barkhor Street in the morning or evening, because
local people always value highly their first customer and their last one.
Besides  simply  shopping,  Barkhor  Street  is  a  great  place  to
people watch. This circular street is a stop for pilgrims, and is also
where local people do some of their shopping, so it gives visitors a great
chance to see local people living their lives.
This  street  offers  a  lot  of  choices,  but  it  is  important  to  shop  around
before  deciding  on  a  purchase.  Many  venders  sell  similar  items,  and
some places are more expensive than others. When deciding to buy a
piece,  be  sure  to  bargain.  It  is  expected,  and  it  will  help  insure  that
visitors  do  not  get  cheated.  There  are  no  set  prices,  so  if  you  find
something you want, think what it is worth to you, and stick to that price.
Most of the items for sale in Tibet cannot be found anywhere else in the
world.

Packing list of Everest Travel

 

Due to lack of infrastructure and harsh climate, before you go to Mt. Everest, you need to pack the following items before setting off your trip:

1. Permits and documents

As aforementioned, that there are several permits and documents you need to prepare for an Everest travel, please make sure you have them with you. Otherwise you are very likely to be declined to enter the Everest Nature Reserve.

2. Proper clothing

A down coat is essential even in summer. If you are planning a trip to Mt. Everest in summer, make sure you bring both summer and winter clothes, because you will spend several days in other places that are very cold. If you want to visit there in winter, however, just bring your warmest clothes. The most important piece of kit is a pair of hiking boots, which you will be thankful to when you want to trek. Make sure they are comfortable enough. For detailed information, please see: Clothing Tips for EBC Tour.

3. Medicine

Diamox tablets: They can help you prevent symptoms of acute altitude sickness like headaches or dizziness.

Cold cures: It would very troublesome if you catch a cold in Tibet. That’s also why you are not suggested to take shower the first day you arrive in Tibet.

4. Skin protection

Sunglasses and sun cream are always necessary, for the solar radiation is quite strong on the high plateau. It is also highly recommended to wear a hat and long-sleeved clothes, which can effectively protect you from being exposed under strong sunlight.

China Tibet Tours

China Tibet Tours

  Travel Tibet From various departure cities in China. You will have an amazing trip here.
  CITS Tibet Travel Org offers rich China Tibet tour itineraries, and put them in various categories to help you define your favorite itinerary,  including culture experience, natural sightseeing, Mountain Hiking, river rafting, cycling, photography and so on. There are also tours tailor-made for  different types of customers, family with kids, seniors, youths, students, etc. These itineraries take in hot tourist destinations of China, like Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai and Tibet. All are carefully designed for your option. 

For More Information Please Check:

http://www.tibettravel.org/china-tibet-tour/

New train in Tibet will be on the rail

The train starts from the largest city Lhasa, via Quxu, Nyemo County, Rinbung, Bainang County to the second largest city Shigatse. After the train starts, tourists travel between Lhasa and Shigatse will have one more choice to travel by train. The journey will be more comfortable and smoother. Besides, it will cost 2-3 hours shorter than it costs 5-6 hours present time from Lhasa to shigatse.

Moreover, the journey will be more comfortable, and smoother, after all there is not bumpy road any more. Besides that, the scenery on the road will keep the same as before.

Shopping in Tibet

If you plan to travel to remote areas of Tibet, it’s better for you to buy some things that you need in Lhasa, especially on Yuthok Lu that supply everyday needs. For instance, Lhasa Department Store is situated on the west end of Yuthok Lu, which is the largest and best known department store in Lhasa and sells practical items such as cotton clothing, mugs, canned food, towels, and toothpaste, as well as local handicrafts. There are also some supermarkets in Lhasa, such as Hongyan Supermarket Chains mainly distributed in Lhasa downtown.

It is full of scenic and historical wonder in Tibet. Even you have explored all the wonders, but you have no a fantastic shopping experience at Barkhor Square, you don’t complete your trip. Hence, it is wise to give yourself at least half a day to explore the Barkhor Street or the other place of the city freely after you finish your sightseeing plan.

Barkhor Street is a traditional Tibetan shopping center. There are shopkeepers with small shops and stalls on the street, supplying more traditional and fascinating Tibetan artifacts and handicrafts. These items include prayer flags, Buddha figures, conch-shell trumpets, rosaries, amulets, fur hats, horse bells, bridles, copper teapots, wooden bowls, inlaid knives, and jewelry inlaid with turquoise and other gems. In fact, paying too much on a single item is a little stupid. Do not believe the tour guide if he takes you to some expensive shop. However, you can completely trust that all the handicrafts are unique designed and cheap, and they are nice keepsakes that you can take back home. Among them Tibetan knife is a special item that is not allowed on airplane, but you can certainly mail it to your home by post office.

Then do not forget to examine jewelry for quality carefully. Though numerous jewelry of excellent quality is available, some is coarse and poor in quality. It is very easy to find attractive items, which is unique in Tibetan. Exotic Tibetan opera masks and costumes are really full of attractions. Moreover, there are popular keepsakes such as brightly colored, beautifully homespun Tibetan rugs and khaddar. And you can buy Tibetan carpet at the Tash Delek Tibetan Rug Factory.

As in other traditional markets throughout the world, in order to purchase fantastic things at lower prices, you should try to bargain with the shopkeepers. It’s usually proper to cut half of their asking prices. Apart from shoppers, hundreds of prostrating pilgrims may accompany you, which will be an infusive experience.

If you need maps, it’s good choice to go to Xinhua bookstores. There are three Xinhua bookstores in Lhasa respectively situated on Yuthok Lu, east Barkhor and Beijing Zhong Lu.

To sum up, Tibet is really a place that is full of shopping treasures, which is worth wasting your money to have a wonderful trip completely. Do not go back home with an empty bag.