Tibet

Tibet, nestled between Nepal, Bhutan, India, & China sits at an average 4000m above sea level, hence it's name "Roof of the World". An enchanting, picturesque, and spiritually rich country, officially named the Tibet Autonomous Region, Tibet is governed by China. The population of Tibet is almost entirely of Tibetan ethnicity, and the primary religion is Tibetan Buddhist, followed by Bon (pre Tibetan Buddhism). A primarily vegetarian diet is encouraged in Tibet with yak being the main source of meat and dairy - think yak stew, yak butter, yak cheese, and yak milk! Tibet has an amazing recycle system in place, is almost waste free, and generally self sufficient. Tibet is a land of the highest mountains, including Mount Everest, the bluest azure lakes, stunning vistas, natural landscapes, monasteries, stupas, and ancient places, practices and beliefs. 

Nearly 50% of the world’s population depends on the flow of fresh water from Tibet. Tibet holds the third largest store of water and ice in the world after the Arctic and Antarctic, and six of Asia’s biggest rivers including the Mekong and the Yangtze flow from melted snow high on the Tibetan plateau. 

Tibet is home to the most spiritually revered mountain in the world Mount Kailash. Mount Kailash holds immense religious significance for Buddhists, Hindus, followers of the Bon religion, and Jains. Mount Kailash is a lifelong pilgrimage destination for spiritual seekers. Hindu worshippers believe that the 'Kailash Manasarovar Yatra' (spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash & lake Manasarovar) will bestow them with spiritual boons & wisdom, and performing a 'parikrama' (circumambulation of 52km) of Mount Kailash and taking a dip (snaan) in the nearby Lake Manasarovar will cleanse karmas from  past lives.  Mount Kailash, the gateway to heaven, is the dwelling place of Lord Shiva, where he is said to reside in a state of meditation with his consort Parvati. For Jains Mount Kailash is the point where the first Jain, Rishabhadeva, and their spiritual leader, became liberated or enlightened. In both Buddhism and Bon, Mount Kailash is believed to be central or the axis to the universe’s cosmology.

But despite being an important pilgrimage destination mount Kailash has never be climbed, it is unclimbable, due to its shivlingam-like shape and powerful cosmic energy.  

Prior to the Chinese cultural revolution Tibet had around 7000 active monasteries, now there are about 1700 left, found mostly high within the mountains. Tibet is home to the world's highest monastery (5000m), Rongbuk Monastery, situated on the north face of Mount Everest it was once home to over 500 monks and nuns. It now homes only a handful of monastics, but is a popular pilgrimage destination and welcomes travellers to share time in meditation and ritual. 

When you travel Tibet you will see 5 main colours everywhere (think prayer flags) - they are the 5 colours of tibetan Buddhism and have sacred and spiritual meanings. White represents air, capable of cutting through the veil of ignorance and unveiling the wisdom of reality. Yellow embodies earth, with the transformative ability to turn pride into the wisdom of equanimity when visualised in meditation. Green symbolises water, offering the potential to transmute jealousy into the wisdom of accomplishment, and lastly, blue represents space, where anger can be transformed into wisdom through focused meditation. 

It is impossible to travel Tibet on your own, you must join an organised tour group and obtain your entry visa in Nepal just  prior to entry.