What are the taboos in Tibet travel?

The cultural background and living habits of the Tibetan people are very different from those of the Han people. Therefore, when traveling here, I need to remind everyone that you must pay attention to some taboos when traveling to Tibet.

When calling a Tibetan friend, you can add the word "La" at the end. "La" is an honorific. This shows respect for him. Especially for friends who meet for the first time, avoid calling them by their first names. This is Very rude. When visiting a Tibetan home, you should sit cross-legged indoors, with the soles of your feet not facing people, and don't look around.

Tibetans prohibit killing, and Buddhists are even stricter in this regard. Although they also eat beef and mutton, they do not slaughter it with their own hands. Tibetans do not eat donkey, horse or dog meat, and in some areas they do not eat fish.

When drinking butter tea, don’t rush to pick it up. The host will hold the tea in front of you with both hands, and only then can you take it and drink it. Also, don't spit or slap others on the back.

When visiting religious sites such as temples and pagodas, you must go around from left to right (when visiting a Bon temple, you need to go around from the right), and do not cross ritual objects, braziers, etc. In addition, when turning the prayer wheel, the prayer wheel cannot rotate counterclockwise.

It is very important not to touch the heads of Tibetan people casually. In traditional Tibetan culture, except for eminent monks and elders, others are not allowed to touch your head casually. This is a very impolite behavior, please remember.

When visiting temples, do not smoke, touch Buddha statues, read scriptures, etc. Do not touch the amulets, rosary beads and other religious artifacts worn by lamas. When encountering ritual activities held in temples, keep quiet. Do not make loud noises in or near temples, and do not hunt or kill animals.

You also need to pay attention to some other small details, such as not using paper printed with Tibetan characters to wipe things; when visiting Tibetan compatriots’ homes, men should sit on the left and women on the right, and they cannot sit together; see A fire is lit at the door, or a branch is placed at the door with a red cloth strip posted on it. This means that sick people in this household must not enter.

This content is provided by Chuwo Travel, hoping to provide more help for your travel.