Tibet (Xizang Autonomous Region) People & Culture

When traveling to Tibet keep in mind that the country is occupied by the Chinese people and they forbid everything what has to do with the Dalai Lama. It is forbidding to bring pictures into the country and books are carefully checked. If they find a picture in a book, you are certain to loose that book ... it is better to use guidebooks without pictures!

stay at one of the many hotels around the square, in the old part of the city. people very friendly. and you gotta love to bargain, even through the language barrier. It not only is possible but fun

Phuntsok Khasang International Youth Hostel - Exellent view to Potala palace, 3 minutes waking to johkang square!
Don't take the dormitory, dormitories are too cold and the showers are pretty bad, take a private room decorate in Japanese style very comfortable and not expensive.
With a panoramic restaurant, fantastically decorated in Tibetan style and amazing view to Potala Palace they serve you delicious Tibetan food, there are 6 Pc's with fast internet and Tibetan chill out music all day long. This is the place to be if you are stuck at the hostel on the cold nights.

When traveling to Tibet keep in mind that the country is occupied by the Chinese people and they forbid everything what has to do with the Dalai Lama. It is forbidding to bring pictures into the country and books are carefully checked. If they find a picture in a book, you are certain to loose that book ... it is better to use guidebooks without pictures!

gyangze is about the size of a small english town, although it is the second largest city in tibet, which is much bigger than england. it has a large chinese population and it doesnt have much of a rugged tibetan feel to it any more. its still worth a visit though.

shigatse is one of tibets main cities. i cant remember much about it, there was a big shopping centre where you buy high tek stuff

Try your best to not buy anything from the CHINESE... e.g. stay in a tibetan owned hotel, eat in the tibetan restaurants .... and... try to go there before its too late.

Toling with Toling Monastery is an extremely beautiful place in Ngari, Westtibet. The monastery was one of the most important tibetan monasteries in former times..nor there are only 7monks left. the 15th. century wallpaintings are amazing. About 3 days travel from Lhasa.