High up on the Tibetan Plateau, Tibet is a remote and fascinating country to visit. Southern Tibet is blocked off by towering Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest or as the Tibetans call it, Qomolongma. But these rugged snow-capped mountains and green valleys are only a small part of what makes Tibet so special – another part is the Tibet’s devout Buddhism. Everywhere, you’ll see prayer flags, monasteries and temples honouring the Buddhist Gods and praying pilgrims en route to Lhasa. Here are a few Tibet travel tips to help you get started with your travel plans.

Lhasa - Tibet’s holy city lies at 3600m above sea level, so you’ll need some time to acclimatise. Not only will you find the Potala Palace in Lhasa, you can also visit the Buddhist Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. You can also visit the Drepung and Sera monasteries which are schools for Tibetan apprentice monks. Just 35km outside Lhasa you’ll find the famous clifftop Ganden Monastery.

Friendship Highway to Everest Base Camp - This prayer flag lined road runs from Lhasa to Kathmandu in Nepal. Along the way to Everest Base Camp, you’ll pass the beautiful blue lake of Yamdrok-Tso, the trading town of Gyantse and Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city. You’ll also see Sakya, home to one of Tibet’s largest and most colourful monasteries. After a trip to Everest Base Camp, you’ll stay in Lao Tingri (also known as Old Tingri); a small Tibetan village with narrow streets and white-lime houses before continuing to Nepal.

Nam Tso – Tibetan for ‘Heavenly Lake’, Nam Tso is a turquoise salt lake at an altitude of 4730m. In the heart of Northern Tibet’s wilderness, this lake is home to Nomadic Tibetans, with meditation caves and a pilgrim’s route running across the Changtang plateau.

When to go…

Tibetan winters are sunny and dry, but also extremely cold. That’s why we don’t recommend travelling to Tibet during the mid-winter months. Chances are that the roads will be covered with snow and there’s also a significant chance that mountain passes will be shut down.

Bamboo sailing through karst mountains. Discover Tiger Leaping Gorge. Try an ice mountain horseback trek and stay at home with the Tibetans. We’ll help you build your very own China adventure: http://www.chinatravelplan.co.uk

Stopping in Tibet as part of a bigger trip? we can help you organise your Round the World flights: http://www.travel-nation.co.uk