Tibet Culture Tours

Frequently Asked Questions about Tibet Culture Tour

What kind of permits are required to enjoy a Tibet culture tour?

The travel documents required for a Tibet culture tour can equate those of a normal trip to Tibet. In the first place, you need a Tibet Travel Permit and a Chinese Visa. The Tibet Travel Permit can be conveniently obtained with the help of us, before you enter Tibet. You can even get it for free as long as you book your Tibet tour with us.

In addition, after you are qualified to enter Tibet, you will also need to obtain some other documents, like Aliens’ Travel Permit (for a visit to Mount Everest region) and Military Permit (for visiting Mount Kailash region). Don’t worry, our Tibet tour guide will secure all the permits when you require them in different situations of your trip.

When is the best time to visit Tibet for a culture experience?

In fact, whenever you go to visit Tibet, you can always experience the unique culture and religion of Tibet, which has been well preserved and inherited by generations of Tibetans. If you take the classic trip to major cultural cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, you can go there at any time of the year. Even in winter season, you can find Lhasa welcoming and friendly as it always has warm sunshine throughout the daytime, and the temperature is not that cold.

If you intend to join in some typical Tibetan festivals for deeper understanding and culture influence, you are recommended to go in spring and summer time. Since most important Tibetan festivals occur in the time, and you will have opportunities to attend Saga Dawa Festival, Shoton Festival, or Nagqu Festival etc. The best way is to consult our professional advisers, who can help you find a proper time for your preferred Tibet culture experience.

Which religion had a strong influence on the culture of Tibet?

As many knows, Tibetan culture is inseparably linked to its religion, namely Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism is unique compared with other Buddhism because it absorbed the elements of Bon. As a foreign culture rooted and blossomed in the snowy plateau, Tibetan Buddhism has a long history of at least 1300 years. It has been deeply rooted in all aspects of Tibetans’ daily life. Whether it is the first time for you to visit Tibet, you can always witness the customs like kora around holy mountain or lake, prostration before the Jokhang Temple, hanging prayer flags etc., practiced by Tibetans.

What are the top religious sites to experience Tibet culture?

Tibet abounds religious and spiritual sites, from magnificent monastery architecture to holy mountains and lakes with nature beauty. Here we list some of the top sites that you should not miss to learn best of Tibetan culture.

Jokhang Temple: it is the most important Buddhist temple in Tibet. It was built in 647 and completed in 651. It was built by the famous Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo. The Jokhang Temple is not large, but the entire old Lhasa city can be said to have developed around it.

Tashilhunpo Monastery: it is one of the top six monasteries of the Gelugpa Sect, and is the largest one in Shigatse. The Tashilhunpo Monastery is comparable to the Potala Palace in Dalai in terms of its scale and architecture art. In the temple, the Tsochin hall can accommodate 2,000 people at a time, and there is a statue of Sakyamuni in the temple.

Sakya Monastery: it is one of the major monasteries of Sakyapa Sect. The temple possesses many Buddhist arts, statues, scriptures, thangkas, paintings, books etc. Tourists can find this temple quite peaceful and tranquil, and meditation inside is also allowable.

Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar: Mount Kailash is the most scared mountain located in Tibet, and is also reputed as the center of the world by Bon, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Doing the kora around the holy mountain is a lifetime glorious achievement for all believers, as well as many trekking lovers. Lake Manasarovar is the holiest lake in Tibet, and is not far away from the holy Mount Kailash. There are 5 Buddhist monasteries siting along the shores of Manasarovar.

What are the most popular Tibetan festivals to experience Tibetan culture?

Shoton Festival: it is one of the largest and important festivals in Tibet. In 2023, it falls on Aug. 16th. The festival usually begins with a dramatic unveiling of Thangkha. Tourists can join in our Lhasa Shoton Festival tour in summer season to experience the great celebration.

Saga Dawa Festival: during this great event, many Tibetans will kora around Barkhor, visit various monasteries and donate for the monks. It also occurs at the region of Mount Kailash, with a grant flagpole erecting ritual held. The festival will be celebrated on June 4th 2023 in solar calendar.

Tibetan New Year: it is the most important traditional festival celebrated by Tibetan people. It shares some similarities and difference compared to the Chinese New Year. The celebration of Tibetan New Year normally lasts 15 days, and the main festivity focuses in the first 3 days. People in Tibet will clean their houses, cook tasty Tibetan food, visit the nearby temples and monasteries, and gather with families and friends, etc.