Tibet

Tibet (Xizang), the Roof of the World, remained unknown to the world until the very beginning of the 20th century. Locked away in its Himalayan fortress, Tibet has long exercised a unique hold on the imagination of the West. The massive, snowy land has exerted an awesome draw to travelers and adventurers ever since. Its majestic and grand scenery, mysterious and exotic religious culture, and wonderful people reward every tourist with an indelible life long memory! Adventure on the road is never short on the beautiful Trans Himalayan drive, through mountain, passes, promising a panorama of a cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. It culminates on an arid plateau - a veritable treasure trove of architectural masterpieces. Its name the 'Roof of the World' is no idle statement.
The valley bottoms of Tibet are higher than the highest mountains elsewhere. Its snow-covered plateaus are the highest in the world. And apart from the Everest, which Tibetans see from 'the other side', many a mountain ranges are over 15000 feet.

Tibet its natural beauty, local people consisting mostly of the Tibetans, Monbans and Lhobans have cultivated very unique ethnic traditions, folklore and ways of life. Visiting Tibet at least once in a lifetime is a dream of most travelers.

In the past, it was very difficult to travel to Tibet, making this mysterious land almost closed to the outside world. People knew little about what really happened there. Now with better transportation, accommodation, medical facilities and less restrictions, travel to Tibet is no longer a dream only. All you need is a special permit which you can get very easily from us. As an experienced local travel agency based in Lhasa.

  Culture

Presenting Khada
The white khada, made of grege silk, embodies purity and good fortune. Presenting hada is a common practice among the Tibetan people to express their best wishes on many occasions, such as wedding ceremonies, festivals, visiting the elders and the betters, and entertaining guests. If you are receiving a khada, do remember to accept with both your hands! Raise the khada above your shoulder and bow if you are presenting a khada to a statue or a high lama !

Proposing a Toast and Tea
Proposing a Toast and Tea when you come to a Tibetan family, the host will propose a toast, usually barley wine. You should sip three times and then drink up. To entertain guests with tea is a daily etiquette. The guest has not to drink until the host presents the tea to you.

Greetings
Don't forget to add "la" after saying hello to the Tibetan people to show respect. Make way to others. Try not to make any sounds while eating and drinking.

Keeping away from Burials
Sky burial is a common form in Tibet. There are many prohibitions. Strangers are not allowed to attend the ceremony. Visitors should respect this custom and keep away from such occasions.

Tibetan Buddhism
Also known as the Lamaism, the Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to Tibet from the mainland and India in the seventh century. The Tibetan Buddhism consists of four major sects, the Ge-lug-pa (Yellow) Sect, the Nying-ma-pa (Red) Sec, the Saturday-kya-pa (Variegated) Sect, and the Ka-gyu-pa (White) Sect.

  Religion

No other religion apart from Buddhism has been able to take root in Tibet. Only a small population of about 2,000 throughout Tibet has faith in Islam, while there is no trace of Christianity at all.The Bon, the aborigine religion of Tibet, a sect of Shamanism which chiefly worshipped idols and the Nature and practiced driving off of evil spirits, had at one time revailed in Tibet but lost round with the penetration of Buddhism. Thus, Buddhism can as well be said to t\be the sole religion of Tibet, and the faith has taken so deep in root that it means almost everything to the Tibetans. Well-to-do families even built in their compound their private chapels of prayer-rooms. To begin with, the first Buddhist scripture printed in Sanskrit was said to have been descended from Heaven in the 5th century during the reign of 28th Tsanpo Tho-Tho-Ri Nyantsan. It was translated into Tibet, and later in the 8th century after the visit the Indian Master Padmasambhava, the spread of Buddhism got accelerated and religious sect started taking shape. In the 11th century the visit of the Bengali Master, Atisha, to Tibet greatly encouraged the study of Buddhism into Tibet and sowed the seed for Gelugpa, the greatest sect that was to come. Finally, in the 15th century, Tsongkapa, the great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism, came to Tibet from Qinghai and founded the Gelugopa sect, the Order of Excellence, and hereafter Buddhism went all-out spreading like a wild fire into Tibet and the absolute ruler for Buddhism to rise to its paramount as the religion of the entire Tibetan nationality.

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