8 Essential Things to Know Before Going to Lhasa! Accommodation, food, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment, all organized for you!

Tibet is the place I've been most nostalgic about over the years, and it always gives me a different feeling whenever I think about it! 🔸Transportation: ·Flying there requires attention to the higher probability of altitude sickness; be prepared to use oxygen as soon as you exit the aircraft cabin, and the duration depends on the individual; ·Taking the train is most suitable, and relatively more affordable. There are no high-speed trains to Lhasa, so it is recommended to depart from Xining; ·Self-driving is an option, but it's best to go with several people, as driving in the vast northwest is exhausting, and it takes a long time to encounter a service area or town, and the availability of various services is not ideal. 🔸Accommodation: ·There are many homestays in Lhasa, which are convenient and comfortable, with many having nice views. Many hotels have also sprung up in recent years, but be prepared that they may not be as luxurious as those in low-altitude developed cities; understand the local customs of this city. 🔸Scenery: ·This is a place that reveres faith, with many cultural landscapes related to beliefs, and there are many, many temples. ·The Potala Palace is also a very special large temple, with many areas not yet open to the public, do not enter! The cultural connotations of Tibetan Buddhism are rich, and ordinary people should not offend lightly. ·The Jokhang Temple is near Barkhor Street, very convenient, quaint and even somewhat primitive, and you'll feel something indescribable when you enter. ·I love the clouds here, they are especially low and clean, while the sky is particularly high and blue, the term 'purify the soul' is visibly true here. 🔸Food: ·You must try the butter tea, which is available in most small restaurants, and many ordinary small eateries serve the most authentic version; remember to tell the owner whether you want it sweet or salty, as the taste is quite different. ·Tibetan noodles and tsampa are not too amazing, at least for me, a person from the northeast, they taste average, but they are not bad, just not very accustomed to it. ·My favorite is the street-side cold noodles and roasted potatoes; I don't know why they taste so good, I haven't found this flavor anywhere else, only in the plateau region. Food is a matter of personal taste, and you only understand it after trying. 🔸Photography: ·This is a place where you can casually snap great shots, both scenery and culture are noteworthy. However, it's important to note that many temples, monks, and pilgrims should not be photographed at will, and there are some mysterious places, such as Mani stone piles, where you must confirm with someone before taking photos, and if it's not allowed, don't take pictures. 🔸Shopping: ·There are many shopping malls and small shops in the city where daily necessities are very convenient. ·If you don't know the market, try not to buy local gold and stone beads, as some people are very good at deceiving. There are also many handicrafts that are obviously from Yiwu. ·You can take some local specialties, but pay attention to the place of origin, some cheese is actually produced in Inner Mongolia, and many can be bought online more economically. 🔸Altitude Sickness: ·This is something to pay special attention to, it's really not recommended to come when you have a cold, it's very dangerous! ·The degree and symptoms of altitude sickness vary from person to person, my reaction was a headache, like a cold, but it got better quickly. ·When you first arrive in the high-altitude area, don't take a bath on the first day, it's easy to catch a cold. Try not to engage in vigorous running or jumping activities, as it's easy to lack oxygen. Sometimes you may suddenly feel tired and breathless while walking, which is normal. In short, be steady! 🔸Customs: ·Near many temples, you can see devout pilgrims, and it's appropriate to give them some money, which is called almsgiving. ·Many locals do not speak Mandarin, but most are very simple and honest. I once met a little girl about six or seven years old, her mother was holding her hand, and she kept smiling at me, even holding my hand and walking with me for a long time, without a word, just smiling at each other. ·After all, it's still a relatively backward place, some shops and restaurants may not seem very clean, but it's not a hygiene issue, it's that butter or some old equipment can give a sense of dirtiness, and people who love cleanliness might feel uncomfortable, so try to avoid these places. ·What impressed me deeply here are the dogs, they seem to have faith too, each one lazy, lying flat everywhere, you can see them lying in the sun everywhere, leisurely and content, it's very relaxing to see. Tibet is a mysterious place, but also a pure and beautiful one, where people can find a sense of freedom away from the mundane world. Here, it's worth it!