Tibet Was Once in My Stories, Now in My Experiences
I'm giving my life a truly memorable journey.
2020 taught me to cherish what I have now. This year I've grown a lot, traveled many places, and experienced much. Tibet is where my heart yearns to go; here lies the freedom I long for. In my impression, Tibet is sacred, a holy land I would someday reach. In 2019, I saw an article about the Potala Palace under heavy snow, so I decided I should fulfill this dream right away. I planned how to get to Tibet. Just when everything was ready, the pandemic broke out in 2020, and I was a little farther from Tibet. But places you long to visit will eventually be reached. So now, I'm here.
In November 2020, I decided not to miss Tibet, so I came. The moment I bought the plane ticket, I felt everything was settled. With my luggage and camera, I set off alone for Tibet, over a thousand kilometers away. When I got on the plane, I was excited to watch the snowy mountains passing by one after another. But when I arrived in Lhasa, I didn't feel the excitement I had imagined. It was as if I should have been here long ago. Walking the streets of Lhasa, I didn't feel like a stranger. Lhasa gave me a very intimate feeling. I had finally come to the place I'd been longing for. Standing beneath the Potala Palace, with ginkgo leaves falling and people bustling about, I was just a passerby. Sitting in a coffee shop, watching the Potala Palace at sunset, perhaps I'll never see this sight again if I return. The afterglow of the setting sun made the palace even more solemn and sacred. The bus moved through the streets of Lhasa, stopping at every stop. I saw people coming and going, they were just fleeting passersby in my life. 'Life is but a passerby, why so many entanglements? Since we've come into this world, why not be free and easy, let the wind and rain take their course.'
Airport to Lhasa downtown: 30 yuan (cash is more convenient). Lhasa city bus: 1 yuan in cash; there's also Didi taxis, regular taxis, and pedicabs. Accommodation: Cidu Hotel – from the rooftop you can see the Potala Palace, and the sunset over it is the most beautiful view in my opinion.
Tibet captivates me not only with its stories but also with its culture. The ancient Tubo dynasty carried a city rich in history and culture. I didn't stay long in Lhasa. With a searching heart, I boarded a bus heading to Ngari. Along the way, I met many people who cared for me and praised me. I never thought that one day I would come to Tibet alone. I, who used to be afraid of flying alone, can now fly alone to Lhasa and then to Ngari, over 3,600 kilometers from home.
Ngari has an average elevation of 4,500 meters. It's a no-man's land few have ventured into, dangerous yet beautiful at high altitude, wearing a mysterious veil waiting for us to unveil. Perhaps in Lhasa I sought your footprints (Tsangyang Gyatso), but going to Ngari was just to prove that I've become braver and stronger. 2020 made me grow. Seeing news about the Pangong Tso incident, the first thing I wanted to do in Ngari was to see that lake. I didn't rest much in Lhasa, because the most beautiful Tibet is not in Lhasa but in Ngari. So where my heart yearns, I go with simple steps. I went to Ngari excitedly. I had worried about altitude sickness and thought about buying an oxygen canister, but I trusted my intuition that I wouldn't get it, so I skipped buying those things (this is risky behavior, don't follow my example; assess your own ability).
Since it was winter when I went, there were few people. At that time, the bus had only eight people including the drivers, so it was empty and you could sit anywhere. I bought my bus ticket at the passenger station. The bus departed at 11:00 on November 2nd, and arrived around 5:00 p.m. on November 3rd. The journey was over 1,600 kilometers. At night, the bus would stop at a guesthouse for the night (because driving at night is dangerous and cold). It would also stop for meals on the way (but the meal times were very late, so better buy your own snacks. I didn't eat on the way because a lady told me the food wasn't good). The bus was very, very cold, so take out thick clothes in advance and keep them close. Getting cold can easily lead to altitude sickness. When the bus stops, try to get off and walk around to adapt to the high-altitude environment (don't walk too fast or jump, to avoid altitude sickness before you've adapted).
Transport: Buy tickets for Lhasa–Ngari South Route at Lhasa Chengjiao Bei Passenger Station (if you don't know which destination, buy at the manned ticket counter. No refunds, no late arrival; be at the station one hour early). Get your border pass in advance, otherwise you can't go to many places; you can get it for free at home. Accommodation in Ngari is generally not as good as in Lhasa. The day I arrived in Ngari, I went to see the Shiquan River (out of excitement, I didn't rest. It's recommended to rest well before going out). Transportation in Ngari: taxis (no public buses).
Ngari cuisine: Longteng Lamb Offal Hotpot (eating lamb in a place of minus ten something degrees is pure bliss) around 100 yuan per person. Hantang Restaurant: fried stretched noodles (delicious and large portions, I couldn't finish it alone). I feel that the youtiao (fried dough sticks) in Tibet are generally large, and youtiao dipped in soy milk is simply delicious. There's a big supermarket in Ngari, Baeyi Supermarket, the largest in Ngari (well-stocked with everything, including clothes). At the supermarket checkout entrance, there's a stall selling stewed snacks (the stewed beef is tasty). Near the old bus station in Ngari there's a pavilion from where you can see the entire area (the wind is extremely, extremely strong; I was blown silly. I recommend wearing a hat and thick clothes).
When you first arrive at a high-altitude place, it's advisable to eat less and not wander around too much (I was an exception, judge according to your own situation).
The first time I heard of this place was from a friend. Back then, I didn't think it was that beautiful. Later, by chance, I saw it in the news; it's a land guarded with the pledge of life. So I wanted to see this land. Driving through high mountains and deep valleys, across the lake surface, there are blue skies and white clouds that make me intoxicated. Gazing at the distant snowy mountains, perhaps you are behind the snow mountains.
Pangong Tso (Pangong Lake), also known as Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo, means 'long-necked swan' in Tibetan. It's located about 12 kilometers northwest of Rutog County in Ngari Prefecture. On our territory it's a freshwater lake, while in India it's a saltwater lake. To get to Pangong Tso, you first go to Rutog County; this is the gateway from Xinjiang to northern Tibet. Arriving at the Pangong Tso monument, I thought, I've finally come to this border area between two countries. Not being able to go further, I had to stop here, but I had no regrets, as if I had found release. Once I only wished to reach Tibet, but now I've traversed the entire Tibet, my dream. In summer you can take a boat, but not in winter because it's too cold. Transport: There are buses from Ngari to Rutog County (we drove ourselves). Accommodation: Book early; if you're late, there won't be rooms with heating. Clothing: thick, as thick as possible. It's really cold; I wore two down jackets for fear of catching a cold. After all, catching a cold on the plateau is no fun. Rutog County is at about 4,500 meters elevation.
On the way to Ngari, you can see the sacred mountain, but when I went the weather was bad and it was about to snow, so the sacred mountain was hidden by clouds. I saw it on the return journey. The sacred mountain has a unique shape and is the highest there, so you can recognize it at a glance. You can see it from National Highway 219, no need to enter the scenic area, as it's still over a hundred kilometers from the highway to the mountain. There are viewing platforms on Highway 219. Next time, I'll make a pilgrimage and circumambulate the sacred mountain. On the way back, it was already snowing. The mountains and snow of Ngari are really beautiful, stunningly beautiful. You must see this beauty with your own eyes. You can see the holy lake Manasarovar just a little ahead of the sacred mountain (on Highway 219).
Tsangyang Gyatso once said, 'Living in the Potala Palace, I am the greatest king on the snowy land; wandering the streets of Lhasa, I am the most beautiful lover in the world.' Follow his footsteps and become the most beautiful lover in the world. This time I climbed the Potala Palace and listened to a guide's explanation. I hope next time I can visit the Fairy Lake to see my past and present lives. In winter it's free, but you need to make an online reservation a day in advance. At the Potala Palace, you can hire a guide to better understand its history and culture. Photography is not allowed inside the palace.
At night, you can go to the Potala Palace Square for night photography. Watching the bustling crowd on Barkhor Street, I think maybe we have brushed past each other. Visit Makye Ame to seek traces of Tsangyang Gyatso. Take a set of Tibetan costume photos to experience Tibetan beauty.
Accommodation: Xi'an Hotel (nice environment, fully automated facilities, about two kilometers from the Potala Palace).
Food: highly recommend Jixiang Shengxue Tibetan Restaurant, delicious, generous portions, friendly people.
Passing through Nyingchi, through the forest sea, I met the snow. On the snowy Sejila Mountain, I was bidding farewell to Nyingchi. Even in winter, Nyingchi has a very pleasant climate. From Ngari to Nyingchi, you can clearly feel how comfortable Nyingchi is — low altitude and plenty of oxygen! The air is so fresh, haha, I got a bit giddy. In winter, Ranwu Lake's water reflects the snowy mountains, accentuating its beauty. On the return trip, when it snowed on Sejila Mountain, you must have tire chains (the traffic police check one by one, you must have chains). Listening to the sound of snow slowly falling, perhaps it can be realized here.
Driving on the dangerous 72 Turns of the Nujiang River, I wasn't afraid of heights. Looking at the snowy mountains on the opposite side, I was silently saying goodbye to Tibet. Who knows when I'll set foot on this holy land again, perhaps by then you won't be here anymore. I came to Tibet, but not for anyone else; I just wanted to have an experience of my own.
Returning to the land of Sichuan, passing through Litang, the world's highest town. Litang seemed different from my impression. In my mind, Litang was green grass under a blue sky, but now it was withered grass dotted with yellow-earth houses. Even so, Litang has a different kind of beauty. Back in the noisy city, I think I will forget the tranquility of Tibet, and I'm afraid it will stir up my desire to go again.
At 22, I set off from Chengdu and traversed the whole of Tibet in a month. It was the first time I had been to such a cold place. My journey of over 7,000 kilometers is complete. It was just like my dreams, so beautiful it fascinated me. Next time, I can go to more places in Tibet to see even more beautiful scenery. Life is long, but some opportunities, once missed, are hard to come by. So when you want to go somewhere, just buy a ticket, pack your bags, and hit the road.
Upon first arriving on the plateau, avoid overeating, keep warm, and adapt to the environment before going out to play. If you feel too tired or have difficulty breathing, breathe evenly and rhythmically (I figured this out myself, but if it doesn't work, go to the hospital). Wear a hat (the sun is really strong, the wind is really strong, and the cold is really cold), sunglasses, and your border pass. Sunscreen, face masks, face masks, face masks (I brought too few; in Ngari I was a rough man). Bring anything hydrating, heat packs (I brought them but didn't use). If you catch a cold on the plateau, see a doctor promptly, don't delay. Other than that, just bring your usual essentials.
Travelogue Contents 1. The Story of 22 Years Begins 2. Lhasa in My Past Stories 3. Heavenly Ngari, My Region 4. Precautions for the Region 5. Because of You, I Traveled Thousands of Miles Just to Meet You 6. Because of You, I Came 7. You Are in My Heart, in My Memories, Now You Are Before My Eyes 8. Next Time I'll Come to Fully Feel Your Beauty 9. In My Life, I've Traveled Through Thousands of Rivers and Mountains 10. This Is the Land Where I Grew 11. My 22 Years Begins with You Travel Information Hotel Index Strategy Index Flight Tickets Index Website Navigation Travel Index Cruise Index Corporate Travel Index Join in Cooperation Distribution Alliance Friendly Links Corporate Gift Cards Purchase Insurance Agent Agent Cooperation Hotel Join Destination and Scenic Spot Cooperation More Join Cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip Hotspots Contact Us Join Us User Agreement Privacy Policy Business License Security Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual Property Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure
