What should you pay attention to when traveling to Tibet for the first time? Just go to Tibet and read this article! Next episode

50. How to get to Nepal from Lhasa?

It is more convenient to go to Nepal from Lhasa. There are three ways. First, the fastest and most direct way is to fly there, and the destination is Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The second is to take a shuttle bus. There are many buses from the entrance of the Nepalese Embassy to the Gyirong Port. The fare is about 300, and they usually leave at three or four in the afternoon. Arrive in Geelong the next morning, then cross the port and take a local bus directly to Canada.

51. How to apply for a Nepalese visa in Lhasa?

The Nepalese Consulate in Lhasa is near Norbulingka (now moved to Tibet Hotel). To apply for a visa, the required information is a valid passport, a copy of the passport and 2 white background photos. After filling out the application form , just hand the form and information to the visa officer. As long as there are no problems, you can usually get your visa in the afternoon of the next day. The application processing time is from 10 am to 12 pm from Monday to Friday, and the visa collection time is from 4 pm from Monday to Friday. Visa fees are now waived.

52. Where can I buy Nepalese clothes, jewelry and gadgets in Lhasa?

Although many people want to go to Nepal, not everyone can go. But even if you don’t go to Nepal, you can still buy Nepali items in Lhasa, which can make up for your regrets. There are many Nepali shops on Barkhor Street, which specialize in selling some Nepali clothes, jewelry and gadgets; Barkhor Mall also has many Nepali small commodities.

53. How much are the tickets for the Potala Palace and is it easy to buy them?

Every year from the beginning of May to the end of October, the entrance fee to the Potala Palace is 200 yuan (peak season), and is reduced to 100 yuan (low season) from the beginning of November to the end of April of the following year. If there is a winter travel policy, it is free. During the off-season, you can purchase it directly from the ticket office and visit on the same day. During the peak season, there are many people traveling and tickets are tight, making it difficult to buy. In July and August, it is even difficult to get a ticket.

54. Can I take pictures in the Potala Palace? What about other monasteries?

You can take pictures outside the Potala Palace, but it is forbidden to take pictures inside the palace. Generally speaking, taking pictures is prohibited in temples. If you really want to take pictures, you can consult the staff in advance to see if taking pictures is allowed and whether there is any charge for taking pictures.

55. What should you pay attention to when visiting a monastery in Tibet?

When entering a temple, remember to take off your hat and sunglasses, and do not smoke, touch Buddha statues, read scriptures, or ring bells and drums, etc. For other Buddhist artifacts, such as beads, talismans, etc., you cannot touch them casually. Photography is not allowed in some temples and these regulations must be followed. When visiting a temple, you must be quiet, do not make loud noises, and do not sit casually inside.

56. When is the best season to see Mount Namjagbarwa Peak? Where is the best viewing spot?

Namjagbarwa Peak was ranked first among the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Snow Mountains in China" by National Geographic Magazine, and its beautiful scenery can be seen in general. Namjagbarwa Peak is surrounded by clouds and mist all year round. Legend has it that those who can see its true face are very lucky. As for viewing locations, one is at Sejila Pass, and the other is Suosong Village in the Grand Canyon. The probability of seeing Namjagbarwa Peak is relatively high in autumn and winter.

57. What are the grander festivals in Tibet?

There are many festivals in Tibet. If you count them down, there are about eighty or ninety, but many of them are relatively small festivals. The major festivals include the Tibetan New Year, the Shoton Festival, and the Sagadawa Festival, among which the Shoton Festival is the most lively and entertaining. The Tibetan New Year is celebrated by Tibetans themselves; the Shoton Festival also has other names: Tibetan Opera Festival and Yogurt Festival. The main activities of this festival are watching Tibetan opera, drinking yogurt, showing off the Buddha, and visiting Linka (Linka means park) The Sagadawa Festival is also called the Buddha's Birthday Festival, which is the day when the Buddha Sakyamuni was born, died, and passed away. On this day, many people go to the Jokhang Temple to worship and pray.

58. Can Tibetans understand Chinese?

Except for the elderly, almost all Tibetans in Lhasa can understand Chinese and have no problem communicating, so there is no need to worry about language barriers.

59. Can I take pictures of people worshiping? Will it offend them?

Whether on the way into Tibet or in front of the temple, you can see many Tibetans making pilgrimages. Many travel friends will be shocked when seeing such a situation and want to record these moments. If you want to take photos, especially close-up photos, it is best to communicate with them in advance and ask for their opinions. When taking photos, do not disturb their worship.

60. What specialties are worth buying in Tibet?

Tibet has many specialties, including Tibetan blankets, Tibetan knives, thangkas, Tibetan silver jewelry, Tibetan incense, cordyceps, saffron, matsutake, highland barley wine, hada, air-dried yak meat, ox bone combs, snow lotus, etc. . Which ones to buy depends on your personal preferences and needs.

61. Where is the best place to buy hidden knives?

Lazi is the most famous place for Tibetan knives. The Tibetan knives produced here are of good quality and the craftsmanship is very meticulous. The price is determined according to the length and size of the Tibetan knife, the production process and the materials used, and there will be a big difference. An ordinary Tibetan knife may cost several hundred to several thousand. If it is good, it may cost tens of thousands. If you buy a Tibetan knife, remember to mail it back.

62. Can hidden knives be brought onto the train?

Items such as knives are not allowed on the train. If you buy a Tibetan knife, you can only take it back by mail. Postage is determined based on the length and size of the item.

63. Is it convenient to send express delivery to Lhasa? What kind of express delivery is available?

Lhasa is developing rapidly now, and it is very convenient to send express delivery. Most express delivery services available in the mainland are available in Lhasa, such as SF Express, Yunda, YTO, STO, Home Delivery, EMS, etc., but the freight prices are higher than those in the mainland.

64. Can I go to see the sky burials in Tibet? Where can I go to see it?

Strictly speaking, except for relatives, outsiders are not allowed to watch sky burials. The People's Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region also issued the "Interim Regulations on the Management of Sky Burials" in 2006, prohibiting onlookers, photography, photography, and video recording of sky burial activities. But there are still many people who have strong curiosity about sky burials and still want to take the risk to see them. Personally, I feel that we should maintain a sense of respect and awe for sky burials. It is best not to go if you can.

Near Lhasa, the most famous celestial burial platform is the celestial burial platform of Drigung Ti Temple, which is one of the three largest celestial burial platforms in the world.

65. What are the taboos of Tibetans?

There are quite a lot of taboos among Tibetan people. Here are some that are easier for everyone to come into contact with.

When encountering temples, Mani piles, or pagodas, you should go around from left to right. The prayer wheel should be turned clockwise, but the opposite is true for those who believe in Bon religion; do not touch other people's hands. head; when Tibetans deliver items to you, take them with both hands; Tibetans do not eat donkey, horse, or dog meat, and fish is not eaten in some places, so do not force them to eat; items printed with Tibetan characters Paper cannot be used to wipe hands or wipe things; in herdsmen's homes, men and women must do the work separately, with men on the left and women on the right, and they cannot act randomly or sit together; when someone in a Tibetan family is sick or a woman gives birth, other people are prohibited from doing so. When entering, they will make a sign at the door, light a fire, put branches or put up red cloth strips.

66. I want to be a volunteer in Lhasa. Is it easy to find volunteers?

In Lhasa, there are many youth hostels and family inns. These places need volunteers, and some bars and restaurants also recruit volunteers. Tibet tourism has off-peak and peak seasons. During the off-season, there are fewer volunteers recruited, while during the peak season, there are more volunteers, but there are more people coming to Tibet. The competition can be fierce, so it is best to contact them in advance. There is a lot of information on recruiting volunteers on Douban, you can find it there.

67. Where can I buy good-looking postcards in Lhasa?

There are postcards in the post office in Lhasa, and there are also some unique postcards in some bookstores, bookstores, youth hotels and restaurants and bars. For more unique postcards, you can go to Paradise Time.

68. What are some Tibetan sentences that tourists can use?

No matter where you travel, if you know a few commonly used local dialects, it will bring a lot of fun to your trip. When traveling in Tibet, it is very convenient to learn a few commonly used Tibetan words and communicate with others.

Tashi Delek means good luck and good luck. Don’t be afraid to say more good things. This can also alleviate embarrassment and misunderstandings with others.

Tuji: Thank you; Mingkare: What is your name; Kalipei: Goodbye; Quanta: Sorry; Sensitivity: None.

Ajia, this is the name for married Tibetan women, meaning eldest sister; Pum, this is the name for unmarried girls, meaning girl.

69. How much are the tickets to the Tibet Museum? How to get there?

The Tibet Museum is open to the public free of charge and does not charge entrance fees. Located directly opposite Norbulingka, it is no longer open to tourists this year due to maintenance (it will not be open to the public in 2021).

70. How many passenger terminals are there in Lhasa and where can I go?

Lhasa has four passenger terminals: Xijiao Passenger Terminal, Dongjiao Passenger Terminal, Beijiao Passenger Terminal and Liuwu Passenger Terminal. The Western Suburb Passenger Terminal mainly sends buses to Shigatse, Shannan and other provinces, and is the station with the largest passenger volume in Lhasa; the Eastern Suburb Passenger Terminal mainly sends shuttle buses to the counties in the suburbs near Lhasa and Nyingchi; the Northern Suburb and Liuwu Passenger Terminals undertake Divert some lines of Xijiao Passenger Terminal. Tibet is a special place, the shuttle bus does not reach the scenic spots.

71. What are the holy mountains and holy lakes often spoken of by Tibetans?

There are four major sacred mountains in Tibetan areas, namely Meili Snow Mountain, Mount Kailash, Animaqing and Gaduojuewo. There are three major holy lakes: Manasarovar Lake, Namtso Lake and Yamdrok Lake.

72. What is scripture debate?

In Tibetan Buddhism, monks have a daily task, which is to debate Buddhist issues, which is sutra debate. Usually there are two people in groups, one standing and one sitting. Those who are seated offer their opinions, while those who are standing argue. Ask each other questions and explore the truth of things. This is a homework that monks must do every day to test the results of their sutra study. You can watch scripture debates at Sera Monastery, starting at 3pm every Monday to Friday.

73. What are the six-character mantra? What's the point?

We usually see Tibetans chanting words in their mouths. What they chant is the six-character mantra. What are the six-character mantras and what do they mean?

The six-character mantra has only six characters, which are "OM (ONG) MA (NI) BA (BEI) MI (MEI) HONG (HONG)". Om symbolizes wisdom, which can get rid of arrogance; Ma symbolizes kindness, which can get rid of jealousy; N symbolizes body, speech, mind, career, and merit, which can get rid of greed; Ba symbolizes great happiness, which can get rid of foolishness; Mi symbolizes greatness Joy can get rid of stinginess; Hum symbolizes compassion and can get rid of anger.

Reciting these six-character mantra can eliminate evil obstacles and pray for blessings and protection!