Real stories. Real altitude. Real beauty.
After two unforgettable weeks in Tibet, I’m back — and I’m here to give you the truth. Tibet is breathtaking, both literally and metaphorically. But it’s also harsh, unpredictable, and not always what Instagram shows you.
🧥 Weather & What to Wear
August isn’t summer as you know it. Temperatures range from 12°C to 23°C, but the wind chill at high altitudes hits differently.
Packing tip:
- Windbreaker or shell jacket
- Long-sleeve shirts, light sweatshirt, T-shirts
- Comfortable pants (plus one warmer set)
- A backup thermal outfit for higher passes
🗺️ My 6-Day Travel Route
D1: Lhasa → Lalin Expressway → Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon → Namcha Barwa Peak → Suosong Village
D2: Suosong → Buddha Palm Sand Dunes → Gongdelin Grassland → Dagu Canyon → Monkey Platform → Tsedang
D3: Tsedang → Gampala Mountain → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Gyangze Plain → Shigatse
D4: Shigatse → Tingri County → Jia Tsuo La Pass → Everest Base Camp
D5: EBC → Gawula Pass → Tingri → Shigatse → Nyemo Grasslands → Damxung
D6: Damxung → Northern Tibetan Grasslands → Nagenla Pass → Namtso Lake → Tashi Peninsula → Back to Lhasa
🏔️ Must-See Natural Wonders
- Yamdrok Lake: Sacred turquoise waters
- Potala Palace: Where heaven meets earth
- Namtso Lake: Sapphire of the plateau
- Basum Tso: A hidden “blue tear” in Nyingchi
- Namcha Barwa Peak: A rare view of golden alpenglow
- Karola Glacier: One of Tibet’s dying continental glaciers
🧭 Off-the-Beaten-Path Favorites
If you have more time (like I did), consider:
- The remote Sapu Mountain
- Everest Base Camp (yes, it’s worth it)
- Lakes like Pum Yum Tso and Mapam Yum Tso
- The spiritual haven of Sertar
📌 Travel Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier
- Don’t overexert before your trip — altitude sickness is real. Bring Gaoyuan’an (a common Chinese altitude remedy) and glucose tablets.
- When you land: Keep calm. No showers, no heavy meals, no excitement for 48 hours.
- Snacks: Don’t pack chips (they explode!). Bring beef jerky, protein bars, or compressed biscuits.
- Cosmetics: Stick to bottles. Tubes will burst due to pressure.
- Be respectful: Don’t touch local kids’ heads or casually discuss local religious beliefs.
- Stay alert: Pickpocketing can happen in crowded areas.
- Plan, plan, plan: Whether solo or with a group, confirm every detail of your itinerary before arriving.
“At Everest Base Camp, the stars felt closer than my own breath. At Yamdrok Lake, I forgot the world. But Tibet isn’t just a place — it’s a test. Of lungs, of patience, and of your soul.”
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