10-Day Tibet Travel Guide

This is a 10-day Tibet travel guide, covering precautions for the Everest Base Camp, local cuisine, customs and more.

Recommended 10-Day Itinerary

• Days 1-2: LhasaUpon arrival in Lhasa, first acclimatize to the high-altitude environment and avoid strenuous exercise. You can visit the Potala Palace to experience the grandeur and mystery of this magnificent palace; tour the Jokhang Temple to admire exquisite Buddha statues and murals, and feel the strong religious atmosphere; wander around Barkhor Street to purchase unique Tibetan handicrafts.
• Day 3: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Karola Glacier - ShigatseDepart from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery of this sacred lake. Then head to Karola Glacier for a close-up view of the blue ice. Finally, arrive in Shigatse and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery.
• Days 4-5: Shigatse - Everest Base CampLeave Shigatse for Everest Base Camp. Along the way, you will pass Jiawa La Pass, the world’s only viewing platform where you can see five snow-capped mountains over 8,000 meters at the same time. After reaching Everest Base Camp, you can visit Rongbuk Monastery, take photos with the "5,200 Meters Above Sea Level" stone tablet, and even capture the starry sky at night.
• Day 6: Everest Base Camp - ShigatseReturn to Shigatse from Everest Base Camp and enjoy the scenic views along the way again.
• Days 7-8: Shigatse - Nam Co LakeTravel to Nam Co Lake, the second-largest saltwater lake in China, to appreciate its crystal-clear blue waters and serene atmosphere. You can stay one night at a guesthouse by the lake to watch the sunrise and sunset.
• Days 9-10: Nam Co Lake - LhasaReturn to Lhasa to end the journey. You can buy local specialties and taste local food in downtown Lhasa to wrap up this trip perfectly.

Precautions for Everest Base Camp

1. Altitude Sickness ManagementTake Rhodiola rosea (as directed by a doctor) 7 days in advance. Avoid strenuous exercise after arrival and carry a portable oxygen tank. If you experience persistent headaches, difficulty breathing or other symptoms, immediately descend to Shigatse or Lhasa for medical treatment.
2. Border Permit ApplicationYou can apply for it for free at the public security branch in your household registration place with your ID card, and fill in "Dingri County, Tibet Autonomous Region". You can also apply at the Shigatse Government Service Center with your ID card, no criminal record certificate is required.
3. Equipment PreparationBring windproof jackets, fleece pants, hiking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, thermos cups, etc. Pay attention to keeping warm and protecting yourself from the sun.

Local Cuisine

• Butter TeaMade by mixing butter extracted from yak milk with brick tea soup, then adding salt. It is an essential drink to keep out the cold in high-cold areas.
• TsampaA staple food made by kneading highland barley flour with butter tea into balls or stirring it into a paste. It can also be enjoyed with a small amount of sugar or fine milk dregs.
• Air-Dried Yak MeatSelected from yak hind legs or tenderloins, rubbed with spices like salt, Sichuan pepper and chili, then hung in a cool and ventilated place to dry naturally. It has a chewy texture.
• Stir-Fried Beef with Sour RadishSour and appetizing, with thick slices of beef coated in the crispness of sour radish. It goes well with rice or tsampa.
• Braised Yak Meat with PotatoesSoft potatoes combined with chewy yak meat, which warms the body and nourishes the body.

Local Customs and Traditions

1. Religious BeliefsMost people in Tibet believe in Tibetan Buddhism. Show respect for religious facilities and items such as monasteries, Buddha statues and prayer flags; do not touch or damage them casually. Keep quiet when entering monasteries, and do not dress in revealing clothes or smoke/drink.
2. EtiquetteWhen meeting Tibetan people, you can put your hands together and lower your head slightly to show respect. Avoid pointing at people or objects with your fingers, as this is considered impolite locally. Do not spit or blow your nose in front of others.
3. Living HabitsTibetan people have their own unique living habits. For example, they have certain taboos on food and generally do not eat donkey meat, horse meat or dog meat. Respect these habits when interacting with them.
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