Preface#
- At the end of August 2019, taking advantage of my vacation, I considered going out for a trip. Initially, the plan was to go to Japan, but due to visa issues, there might not be enough time, so I changed my plan and went to Tibet instead.
Preparations#
- Common emergency medications and items: such as stomach medicine, fever reducers, vitamin C effervescent tablets, band-aids, iodine disinfectant, etc.
- Clothing: The temperature difference in Tibet is quite large, so it's recommended to prepare summer and autumn clothes. You can bring a few more autumn outfits; if it gets cold, wear several layers. It's best to bring a windproof and waterproof jacket.
- Equipment: Nikon camera, DJI drone, flashlight, tripod, etc., depending on your needs.
- Preventing altitude sickness: There’s really not much to say about this; it’s not greatly related to physical fitness but more about psychological struggle. For altitude sickness prevention medications, I strongly advise against buying things like Rhodiola and Plateau Spirit; they are ineffective and merely provide psychological comfort.
Suggestions for Traveling at High Altitude#
- If you're afraid of altitude sickness, you can adapt for a few days in lower altitude areas, such as Lhasa or Nyingchi.
- Absolutely do not catch a cold or have a fever! Absolutely do not catch a cold or have a fever! Absolutely do not catch a cold or have a fever! It's important enough to say three times; if you have a cold or fever, you must rest or see a doctor.
- Try to avoid strenuous exercise.
Medication Guidelines#
- Try not to take random medications or rely on oxygen; having a headache or feeling dizzy is a normal phenomenon.
Lhasa · Potala Palace#
The Potala Palace at night, solemn and mysterious.
Namtso#
DJI nb
Holy Elephant Gate (Highly Recommended)#
If you have the opportunity to chat with the old Tibetans, you will learn about a mysterious place called "Holy Elephant Gate." It quietly hides on the northern shore of Namtso, gazing across the sacred lake at the holy mountain Nyenchen Tanglha. This is a secret paradise deeply cherished by the old Tibetans and the ultimate destination for Tibet's beautiful scenery.
So beautiful that when I was driving, after crossing a mountain, Namtso was laid out before me in all its glory.
Wow, this is just too beautiful!
Yamdrok Lake (Highly Recommended)#
Shigatse#
- The walls of the small inn can be written on, so I casually took a photo.
- Stayed in Shigatse for one night, and the next morning I obtained the border pass and set off for the Everest Base Camp.
Everest Base Camp#
Seventy-two turns.
8844#
The weather was not good the next day, and I did not see Everest.
Lhasa#
Shoton Festival#
The Shoton Festival is a national holiday for the Tibetan people in Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, Yunnan, and other provinces and regions, and is one of the national intangible cultural heritages.
"Shoton" means yogurt banquet. In Tibetan, "sho" means yogurt, and "ton" means "to eat" or "banquet." The Shoton Festival, according to Tibetan interpretation, is a festival for eating yogurt. Because there are Tibetan opera performances and Buddha exhibitions during the Shoton Festival, it is also referred to as the "Tibetan Opera Festival" or "Buddha Exhibition Festival."
I think the little girl is very cute, and with her mother's permission, I took a photo.
During the Shoton Festival, locals gather in parks to eat and drink together; we even got to enjoy some beef jerky!
Summary#
- This trip was quite enjoyable! The time might have been a bit tight, but it was still fulfilling.
- I didn't originally plan to go to Everest Base Camp, but on a whim, I drove hundreds of kilometers to check it out.
- I made many friends along the way, and while I was writing this article, some of the friends I met went to Tibet again. I will definitely go back when I have the chance, and next time I will take it slower.
- I highly recommend the Holy Elephant Gate and Yamdrok Lake; they are truly beautiful, and the scenery along the way is worth stopping to take photos.
- As for the network situation, I used a mobile card, and the signal was generally good most of the time. If you have high network requirements, I recommend using a telecom card, as the signal will be better. Of course, if you have the means at home, you can bring three phones with three cards!
- The most important thing is safety. Since we were driving ourselves and each attraction is quite far apart, it's best to have two drivers in one car to take turns. Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles while driving, as there will be many large trucks on the road, but overall the road conditions are quite good.
Pitfalls#
- The charging is very chaotic, and there are many instances of overcharging. Follow one principle: if you don't have a ticket, it's best not to pay. (If they force you to pay, it's advisable to call the police.) However, if you are camping somewhere while self-driving, you might be charged a sanitation fee, which is not high and can be paid.
- It is recommended not to go to the Zaxi Peninsula of Namtso and Everest Base Camp, as they are heavily commercialized and not worth seeing. The charges are also quite high; it's okay if you join a tour, but I strongly do not recommend going to Everest Base Camp if you are self-driving!
- When we went to Lhasa, it happened to coincide with the Shoton Festival. While eating out, there were constantly people asking for money. If you don't give, they won't leave, which really made me angry, and I almost hit someone. If one person asks me, that's fine, but when another comes shortly after, that's just too much.