Tibet Travel Tips

Do’s, Don’ts, and Helpful Hints. Tibet travel tips you should keep in mind. Though each region, valley, or village, may have its own unique customs and sets of social rules, there are still a general set of cultural rules to be aware of when traveling on the plateau. Keeping these advices in mind can not only help you to be a respectful visitor, but may even ingratiate you to your hosts, enriching your travel experience and your ability to interact with the local culture!

Never step over any part of another human’s body. Never step over food.

While traveling in Tibetan areas, you may sometimes find yourself seated on the ground surrounded by people. Festivals, religious teachings, or lunch in a nomad tent are all examples of such situations. It is taboo to step over other people, even their feet. If you would like to stand up and leave at any time, simply stand and signal to the people around you that you need an exit route. People will readjust to allow you passage by moving their hands, feet, etc. out of the way. It is also important Tibet travel tips to avoid stepping over food. If you are having lunch on the ground, always walk around the food instead of over. Check out our articles on travelling in Tibetan areas and festival dates if you are going a trip to Tibet in the near future.

Give and receive food with two hands.

Any time that you are giving or receiving food or drink, do so with both hands as a measure of politeness.

Do not pat people on the head or hit them on the chest.

In some cultures, patting another person on the head or tapping them on the chest is used a sign of friendship. In Tibetan culture it is a sign of disrespect. Small children are an exception to this rule, but refrain from these actions otherwise.

Hand Signs travel tips

Tibetans frequently use hand signs to express opinions about the quality of objects or places, or people. Tibetans will often show a thumbs up to indicate that something is of good quality, a middle finger pointed sideways to indicate that something is of average quality, and a pinky finger pointed sideways to show that something is bad and low quality.

Stoves – Tibet Travel Tips

Tibetan home is generally considering the heart is the hearth or stove. Whether in a tent or a farmhouse, there are different rules of respect relating to the hearth. Avoid putting socks or shoes on a stove, and be sure to ask your host or observe their behaviour before passing anything over the hearth, or throwing anything into the fire.

Pictures

As with most travel destinations, when taking pictures, please show courteousness and ask before photographing people. Please also ask before photographing inside of monasteries. There are certain paintings or statues get harm with camera flashes. Alternatively, some statues and paintings are not permitted to be photographed. Read blog on 5 tips to make a successful trip to tibet.

Religious Monuments, Monasteries, and Holy Sites

Tibet travel tips: You will see prayer flags in most Tibetan areas. Never step over these flags, even if they have fallen on the ground. Always lift flags up to talk under them. Never stand on flags and never stand on writing. Many rocks around rivers and religious sites are engraved with prayers. Do not stand on such things. Next, one should always remove headwear when entering a monastery. Finally, always remember to circle clockwise at Buddhist sites and counterclockwise at Bon sites (the pre-Buddhist indigenous religion of Tibet).

When to Travel: Travel Tips of the Weather

The weather is unpredictable on most of the plateau, but contrary to popular opinion, the summer is not necessarily the best time to trek. Though the summer is certainly beautiful, the rainy season, which lasts from June until August, may through a wrench in your trekking plans! The early fall is a good time to plan treks because the heavy rains have abated and the winter cold has not yet arrived! It is not guarantee to snow as winters are quite dry, the winters, extremely cold in most places. Please contact us for place specific (Tibet travel tips) information on weather conditions, but remember, it is difficult to plan around the weather!

Travel Tips What to Bring

In terms of clothing, layers, warm clothes, and good walking shoes will be a Tibet traveler’s best friend. Flashlights and headlamps are also indispensable as many rural areas either do not have power or experience frequent electrical problems. General you can shop toiletries, but if you can’t live without your favourites, bring them! Your “to bring” list will likely depend on what areas you are planning to visit. Check with our Tibet travel agency for more Tibet travel tips and information on region specific advice.

Road Conditions

There are many construction initiatives to pave or rebuild roads and passes in Tibetan areas. While the general condition of roads in China is quite good, be aware that construction is often unannounced, and could result in a couple hours waiting at a road block. It is worth noting that during the summer, landslides may also be a problem. Our Adventures in Tibet team can help you to determine Tibet travel tips when and where these construction projects are taking place to help you avoid inconvenience. We have tips on attractions in Lhasa to read. Check our trekking in Tibet advices to make no mistakes.

Tibet Travel Tips – Closures

The Tibetan Autonomous Region and the Tibetan areas of Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai, and Sichuan, are occasionally closed or subject to travel limitation and bans. The government sometimes will not announce these restrictions. Make sure you look for information on the area you are traveling to, and feel free to contact the Adventures in Tibet team with for budget travel tips.

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