EXCURSIONS.
There are many sightseeing objects in Tibet: ancient cities, monasteries, temples, which can be found in almost every village, unique nature with the highest mountains and holy lakes. If you are planning a week-long trip, then it is best to explore Lhasa and the nearby monasteries and cities. In two weeks you can have time to see Lhasa, Lake Yamdrok-Tso, 50 km south of Lhasa, the cities of Shigatse and Gyantse, take a jeep to Everest. On a three-week visit, it is worth visiting the sacred Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar and the ancient kingdom of Guge in western Tibet. But it should be remembered that, as of 2006, to visit Tibet foreigners require a permit, which can only be obtained by purchasing a tour from a Chinese tour company.
ECOLOGICAL TOURISM.
According to Usprivateschoolsfinder, the landscapes of Tibet are almost in pristine condition, so it is one of the areas with the best environmental quality in China. The total area of reserves here is approximately 1/3 of the territory, among them 7 have the status of state. In Tibet, there are 125 species of wild animals and 39 species of wild plants that are under state protection of the first degree.
Reserve Lalu (Lhalu).
The Lalu Wetland Conservation Area covers 6.2 km 2 and is located near Lhasa at an altitude of 3645 m. It is the largest reserve of this type in all of China and the highest in the world. 95% of the territory of Lalu is occupied by meadows. Thousands of ducks and gulls live here.
Reserve Nam-tso (Namco).
Lake Nam-tso is located at an altitude of 4718 m. It is 70 km long and 30 km wide. Nam-tso is the second largest salt lake in China and the highest lake in the world. It is located 210 km north of Lhasa. The lake is known for its picturesque scenery.
Nyingchi Pagqi Nature Reserve.
Nyingchi Pagqi Nature Reserve was established to protect the unique cypress forest. It is located 40 km west of Nyingchi province between the cities of Bayi and Nuingchi. The largest cypress trees reach 50 meters in height and 18 meters in width, and the age of the oldest is 2500 years. The local population considers these trees sacred. This forest is of great value for studying the vegetation, climate, geographical and geological conditions in the area over the past millennium.
Gyirong Jiang Nature Reserve.
The Gyirong Jiang Nature Reserve covers an area of 340,000 hectares. It was founded with the aim of protecting plants and forest ecosystems. Due to the special climatic conditions (average annual temperature is +10 degrees), this place is very favorable for plants, three of which – Tibetan pine, Himalayan yew and long-leaved spruce, are found only here. The reserve is located on the border with Nepal in the Gyirong Valley, near the village of Jiang.
Nyalam and Zham nature reserve.
Nyalam and Zham reserve covers an area of 6852 hectares. It is located at an altitude of 2400 m 300 southwest of Lhasa. Wild animals and forest ecosystems are protected here. Due to the mild climate and low altitude, you can clearly see the change of vegetation with height: at the foot – evergreen forests, then – broad-leaved forests, coniferous forests and, finally, alpine shrubs. In May it starts to rain. Flowers bloom, numerous streams and waterfalls appear. In the forests you can see Tibetan snow hens, pandas, water dogs, as well as rare animals – muntjac (from the deer family), white-eyed hawk buzzard, reed cat.
Reserve Rdzayul.
The Rdzayul reserve is located in the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau, at the junction of two chains of the Himalayan mountains. The area is uninhabited. Evergreen deciduous forests, rare animals of the subtropical zone and the Yunnan pine forest are protected in the reserve. In deciduous forests there are Bangladeshi tiger, bear, leopard, golden monkeys, lizards.
Riwoqe Chamoling Nature Reserve.
The Riwoqe Chamoling Nature Reserve was created to protect the red deer and its habitats. Currently, the population of this animal in the area has 1,000 individuals. The reserve is located in the northeast of Tibet in the upper reaches of the Lanchang River.
Bome Gang Reserve.
The Bome Gang Nature Reserve is located 350 km southwest of Lhasa.. The length of the reserve from north to south is about 24 km, from west to east – about 12 km. About half of the territory is covered by forests, in which the main species subject to protection is yew. The growth rate, lifespan and wood yield in this area is much greater than in the rest of China.
Xainza and Lhun Zhub nature reserves.
The Xainza nature reserve covers an area of 4 million hectares. Black-necked herons and wetland ecosystems are protected here. The reserve is located in northern Tibet in the Nagchu prefecture. There are many small lakes in the area, which are ideal habitat for herons.
Lhun Zhub Nature Reserve is located at an altitude of 3800 m north of Lhun Zhub Canton. Here you can see many river valleys, floodplains, lowlands, wetlands, forests, where from September to October and from April to May you can see black-necked herons during their migration.
Reserve Zhada Clay.
The Zhada Clay Reserve covers an area of 560,000 hectares. It is located 225 km south of the city of Shiquante. Here, the so-called “clay forests” are under protection, which are pillars about 10 m high of various shapes. The pillars were formed as a result of tectonic processes. More than a thousand years ago, the kingdom of Guge flourished in this territory.
Reserve Angren.
The Angren Reserve is a geological reserve where geysers are protected. It is located in the prefecture Shigatse. Also in this prefecture, lava landforms are protected, which are evidence of oceanic eruptions.
TREKKING.
There are several trekking routes in Tibet. One of the most popular is climbing Everest (8846 m). Everest Base Camp is located at an altitude of 5200 m in the territory of the Qomolangma National Park. For the first time this camp was used and mastered by the British expedition, which went to Everest in 1924.
On the territory of the camp there are two buildings, many tents for tea drinking, a post office and a huge cluster of tents belonging to various expeditions. The most convenient way to get to Everest is to go on a three or four-day hiking route that originates from the village of Tingri and leads directly to the foot of the famous peak. Also, for a trip to Everest, you can hire a Land Cruiser in Lhasa or Shigatse.
Two permits are required to visit Everest Base Camp. The first is a special permit (Alien’s Travel Permit) from the Public Security Bureau, which can be obtained in Shigaze; the second is permission to enter the territory of Chomolungma Park. Climbing altitude varies somewhere between 4400 m and 5300 m. It is very important to carefully prepare for upcoming trekking and hire an experienced guide. Another area for trekking is the sacred Mount Kailash. Its height is 6714 m. For many centuries, many pilgrims come to Kailash, who come here to make a bark or ritual detour. The length of the path is 53 km. It is believed that even a single bypass eliminates all life’s sins. Since the mountain is surrounded by valleys, such a hike does not require special training or equipment. With measured walking with halts, the detour will take 2-4 days. There are very picturesque places and several monasteries around the mountain, so the slow progress is fully justified. You can get to Kailash from Lhasa by jeep in about a week.
Trekking at Namchag Barwa 500 km west of Lhasa – an ideal route for nature lovers and botanists. It starts in the small village of Pei running in the valley of the Yarlu Zangbo river. Along the way, you will meet traditional settlements of small peoples of Tibet.
For trekking in Kailash and Namchag Barwa, you also need to issue a special permit. The most suitable time for trekking is April – the end of October. Even at this time the weather is unpredictable. Winter trekking is also popular. Tibet is also popular with climbers. The best place to practice this sport is the southwestern regions.
