For most of us, a trip to Mount Everest—better called by its Tibetan name, Qomolangma—means a stay at Everest Base Camp (EBC) and a few tentative forays in the general direction of the world's highest peak, which towers 8,848 meters (29,028 feet) above sea level. The famed mountain is known as zhūmùlǎngmǎfēng (珠穆朗玛峰) in Mandarin.   If you're fit enough and have acclimated to the altitude, you might manage to make it to a higher camp, though this level of adventuring is only advised for those with serious mountaineering experience and equipment, not to mention the necessary permissions from the regulating authorities.  Regardless, Qomolangma is a sight to behold, and EBC is a fine place from which to view the mountain whose Tibetan name translates as "Goddess Mother of the Universe." Most arrive at the camp via Land Rover from Shigatse (a ... more >>

Southwest of Shigatse, in the small town of Gyantse sits the Pelkor Chode Monastery, home to several hundred monks. The site is actually a collection of monasteries that were founded in 1418. There is a temple inside the complex with a large collection of unique Buddhist art inside and monks practicing their daily prayers and mantras. Although the monastery compound used to house many more monks than it does today, the site is well maintained by the Gelugpa sect and the monks that still reside at the Pelkor Chode. The halls and chapels of the monastery are not lit so it's a good idea to bring a flashlight.    more >>

Located at the foot of Mount Everest, Rongphu has earned the title of the world's highest monastery standing at 4,980 meters high. It might go without saying, but the views of Mount Everest from within are spectacular. The monastery, originally built in 1902 by Nyingma Lama, housed more than 500 monks but today just 50 monks and nuns remain. Renovated in 1983, the monastery has a wonderful collection of murals and paintings adorning the walls. It is now possible for travelers to stay at the monastery (the rooms are quite basic) or pitch a tent outside. There is a small shop and a good restaurant also located on site. Located just two hours (by foot) from Everest Base Camp, the hike through the valleys and alongside the world's tallest mountain is a breathtaking and memorable hike. Or you can drive alongside hikers and arrive at Base Camp in about 15 minutes. more >>

Although Shalu Monastery is one of the most difficult sights in the region to visit, it is worth the effort if you have a few days to spend in the area. Originally built in the 11th century, Shalu became famous in the 14th century due to its in-house Sanskrit translator, the 11th Abbot Buton Rinchen Drub, one of the foremost scholars of Buddhist text translations. The monastery blends Tibetan and Han style architecture dating back to the 10th century. The interior walls of the monastery are adorned with 14th Century Chinese and Nepalese murals and there are many historical and religious relics on display. more >>

The Tashilhunpo Monastery was built in 1447 and was traditionally home to the Panchen Lama. It miraculously escaped much of the Cultural Revolution-era destruction, so it's a refreshing sight for reconstruction-sore eyes. Tashilhunpo is large enough to seem like a small walled town, and there's plenty to see. Highlights include massive collections of jewels and gold Buddha statues, the Assembly Hall and its colorful unfurled thangkas, and the shrines and thrones of each of the Panchen Lamas, many of whom are buried on site. Due to the controversy revolving around the Panchen Lama, neither the Gyancain Norbu (recognized and appointed by the Chinese government) nor Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (identified and recognized by the Dalai Lama) live here today, but there are a few hundred resident monks.   more >>

The Sino Nepal Friendship Bridge was built in 1964, just two short years after a brief border issue with India. The bridge is quite small and inconspicuous -- barely 50 meteres long and nine meters wide as it crosses the Bhote Koshi River -- but it provides a vital link between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Kodari in Nepal and Zhangmu in Tibet are the closest towns to the bridge. The whole area has become an impromptu Free Trade Zone as merchants from Nepal, India, Tibet and China Proper flow down the Friendship Highway to converge on these two border towns to hustle and trade. The major sights on this highway include the road itself, which winds through some of the most extreme landscapes the woprld has to offer as well as several turnoffs and just the world's most maassive mountain. Much of the road is unpaved and will definitely contribute to backside bruising. On the 9... more >>

Mt. Everest guide | Lhasa flights | Shigatse hotels | Tibet guided tours Tibet on the China Travel Blog Known as 'gra-ma in Tibetan, Zhangmu is the final stop on the Chinese side of the Friendship Highway linking the Tibet Autonomous Region with neighboring Nepal. The small border town looks deceptively close to Nepal and Mt. Everest, but the Nepalese still call this area the "Road to Hell" due the extreme difficutly of the trek from Nepal into Tibet. Zhangmu lies in a unique sub-tropical belt at 2,300 meters above sea level that keeps the mountains and valleys here lush and moist. The major drawback to this are the contstantly slippery steps leading up to the neighborhoods of the town perched up on the mountainside. If you are crossing from Nepal into Tibet, you will need to be with a tour group (read up on the latest Tibet travel permit regulations). Always keep ... more >>

Nyalam is the last larger town before Zhangmu and the bridge across into Nepal, or alternatively the first larger town on the way north to Lhasa. If you are coming up from Kathmandu, beware of the sudden altitude spike and the accompanying dizziness, fatigue and nausea that you might encounter. The road to and from Nyalam is a rough one; the Nepalese call it the Road to Hell. The altitude stays around 4000 meters and the highway feels like it was paved with basketball sized chunks of stone. Zhangmu at the Sino-Nepali Friendship bridge is 35 km south of Nyalam, Lhasa is 750km north and Kathmandu is 150 km south. There are some sights to check out in the area, most notably Nyalam Pelgyeling Monastery, built around Milarepa's Cave, about 10 km north of Nyalam, near the village of Zhonggang (Tibetan name). The enlightened yogi Milarepa (1040-1123) and his disciple Rechungpa spe... more >>

The great sage and Buddhist philosopher Milarepa spent many tyears of his long life (1052-1135) in a cave near the present-day town of Nyalam, singing and composing songs for his many disciples. The cave has been a scared spot revered by Tibetan Buddhists ever since and you can visit this shrine to Milarepa and his Buddhist teachings easily and quickly from Nyalam Town. The cave itself overlooks a small valley from within the stark brown mountains of this region. Other than a tiny village in the valley, the only other structure is the Pelgye Ling, Phelgye Ling or Pengyeling Monastery,. which was built around the cave. Colored stones and fragrant offerings of herbs and wild flowers line the path into the cave, which is kept as a shrine by two monks. Within are several icons of Milarepa and Buddhist lore including a statue of Milarepa enclosed in a glass case, an impression in the ... more >>

It's hard to say if the Changtang region is actually a "tourist attraction" - that moniker would only fit if you happen to be a wolrd class athlete, biologist, relative of a nomad or hopelessly lost. This region of Tibet is larger than germany and is know for sand, thunder, brackish, lifeless lakes and some of the coldest winters in the world. many species of hardy animals live here though and rest assured that when Armageddon hits, these guys will make it to the other side. Yak, antelope and mules share space with many different species of birds that rest on th lakes as well as predators such as the famous snow leopard as well as Tibetan bears and wolves. The nomads that live here have a routine that has existed for as long as they can remember and the contact they have with teh "civilized" world is mostly through trade for needful things. naturally, th... more >>